FIRESTARTER

Business mogul Lisa Messenger has no desire to simply ride the wave of success – she’s far more interested in being part of the energy that shapes it. From launching a global media empire to burning it all down at its peak, she’s built a career out of doing the unexpected.

WRITTEN BY DONNA RISHTON-POTTER

A passionate innovator and self-described seeker, the Northern Rivers-based entrepreneur, best-selling author, international speaker and founder of global multimedia brand Collective Hub thrives not on what’s safe or proven, but on what’s possible. “I always want to stay ahead of the trend,” she says. “I thrive on learning, exploring new possibilities, and creating forward momentum. Looking back on the past 24 years, I’ve done a lot – but honestly, it still feels like I’m only just getting started.”

Lisa’s extraordinary entrepreneurial journey began in 2001 with The Messenger Group, a boutique agency specialising in PR, sponsorship, and publishing. But it was her 2013 launch of Collective Hub – a print magazine in a dying industry – that catapulted her into global recognition. With no publishing experience, she defied the naysayers and created a brand that became a global phenomenon, gracing the coffee tables and vision boards of changemakers worldwide. Then, at its peak in 2018, Lisa made a headline-grabbing decision: she shut it down.

“At the time, we were the brand on everyone’s lips,” she recalls. “But the truth is, we had scaled too quickly, and I didn’t have the systems to sustain it. So, I had to make a brave call – to burn it all down and rebuild in a smarter, more sustainable way.”

With more than 40 books, over 100 products, a magazine sold in 37 countries, and a client list that includes IBM, L’Oreal, and Facebook, Lisa is a leading voice in modern entrepreneurship. But what sets her apart isn’t just her success – it’s her ability to disrupt, evolve and challenge the status quo. While many entrepreneurs present the polished product, Lisa invites her audience into the messy middle.

“Most people become the guru of something – they’ll spend years mastering their craft and only then write a book, deliver a keynote, or share their knowledge. I flip that. I dive in headfirst, learn everything I can, and then create and share in real time. It keeps things real, fresh, and hopefully deeply relatable.”

That theme – of burning it down and rebuilding – has defined Lisa’s career. Her bestselling titles – Daring & Disruptive, Risk & Resilience, Work From Wherever – aren’t just entrepreneurial how-tos. They’re raw and reflective, charting the emotional and practical rollercoaster of building a business and a life you actually want.

That authenticity may have made her one of the most recognisable and relatable voices in business, but in 2023, Lisa’s story took on a whole new, very personal dimension: motherhood.

After years of IVF heartbreak, her son Hugo was born via surrogate – her best friend. True to form, Lisa shared the journey publicly. Raw and deeply moving, her story resonated with countless others navigating infertility.

Eighteen months on, she’s in the thick of parenting and purpose. “It’s been a major adjustment,” she says. “In those early months, we chose to be with Hugo full-time – no daycare or external help. My husband’s an amazing hands-on dad, but at the moment, he’s in start-up mode and works in Sydney five days a week, so I’m mostly solo Monday to Friday, balancing motherhood and a freedom-based business.”

Hugo now goes to daycare a couple of days a week, but when he’s home, Lisa wants to be fully present. “Rather than hire someone to look after him, I now have an angel who comes during the week to help with cleaning and tidying,” she tells me. It was a decision that brought unexpected guilt – but ultimately, clarity. “I’m the queen of outsourcing in business,” she laughs. “Now I apply that to motherhood too. It’s not about doing it all – it’s about doing what matters most.” The experience has given her a newfound appreciation for working parents – and deep respect for those who’ve walked that tightrope before her.

These days, Lisa lives in Bangalow with her partner and son – returning from Sydney’s boardrooms to barefoot walks, community cafes and a work-life rhythm that feels as grounded as it is expansive.

Her love affair with the Northern Rivers began long before Byron was on every influencer’s radar. A beloved destination for family holidays, and in the late ’90s, a base while studying at Southern Cross University. An extended house swap in 2009 brought her back to Bangalow – where she fell back in love and never truly left. She bought a house there in 2010, cementing her connection to the region.

“This region just has a magic to it,” she says. “During the 2022 floods, the community spirit was so palpable. But it’s in the everyday moments too; grabbing a coffee, going for a walk on the beach with Hugo. Everywhere we go, people say hi. Byron has this beautiful, welcoming energy. It’s where we feel most connected – to nature, each other, and community.”

Despite her global success, high-profile clients, and a rolodex of friends like Sir Richard Branson, Lisa says connection has nothing to do with status – and everything to do with purpose.

“Community has always been at the heart of what I do,” she says. “Whether it’s through books, live events, or DMs on Instagram, I’m always finding ways to stay connected.”

“Igniting human potential is my north star,” she adds. “I want people to believe they can create whatever life they want.”

That same belief in possibility shapes her approach to technology. While many creatives view AI with caution, Lisa sees it as an opportunity.

“I actually love AI,” she says. “Yes, I’ve authored 40 books and invested millions in creative teams, so it could’ve felt threatening. But instead, I chose to embrace it.”

She uses ChatGPT daily for brainstorming, content strategy and ideation. “My AI is almost human,” she laughs. ““But here’s the thing – you still have to lead. It’s only as powerful as the vision you give it.” For Lisa, the future belongs to those willing to evolve.

Unsurprisingly, she’s already leaping into her next evolution. After 40 non-fiction books, she’s just completed the first draft of her debut fiction novel. She’s also relaunching her podcast, hosting branding retreats, and working one-on-one with clients keen to tap into their own purpose-led potential.

“I’m doing fewer things, but doing them better,” she says. “I’ve never felt more fulfilled.”

Lisa Messenger’s story is one of reinvention and radical self-trust. She’s proven that failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s part of it. That you can be a mother, a mogul, and a mentor. That letting go of what no longer serves you – even when the world says you’ve made it – is not weakness, but wisdom.

She rises, again and again – and invites the rest of us to rise with her.

@lisamessenger | @collectivehub