At Collective Closets, we believe in individuality, authenticity, and celebrating the power of a woman. As businesswomen, we share the story of our influences and upbringing through our designs and the beautiful textiles we grew up with. We created Collective Conversations to spotlight the amazing women in our community and find out how they share their own stories. This series spotlights members of our tribe, gaining insight into their values, passions, and the drive behind what they do.

This month, we're talking to Fiona Killackey (she/her). We spent the day at Fiona's beautiful home in Warrandyte that she shares with her partner, her two kids, and her beautiful dog. Her home is serene, colourful, and a true reflection of Fiona's style – much like the woman herself, it radiates warmth and authenticity.

As an author, podcaster, and business coach, Fiona is someone who truly embodies what being your own muse means. She runs her business with heart and soul, believing that humanity should be at the centre of everything we do. What sets Fiona apart is how she uses her platform not just to help creative businesses thrive, but to shed light on what's happening in the world and amplify the voices of minority groups who often go unheard. She balances business success with genuine advocacy, proving that you can build something meaningful while staying true to your values.

Through her books Business to Brand and Passion, Purpose and Profit, and her work with countless creative entrepreneurs, Fiona has shown us that transformation isn't just about business strategy – it's about honouring who you're becoming and creating authentic connections along the way. Her personal style mantra of "wear what feels good" perfectly encapsulates her approach to everything: authentic, comfortable, and unapologetically herself.

Below, Fiona speaks more on her personal evolution, her values, and what it means to dress for yourself, not others.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Hopeful, Curious, Heartfelt

What's your current style mantra or motto?

Wear what feels good.

How has learning to dress for yourself (not others) changed your relationship with fashion? Or, if you're still figuring this out, what would dressing for yourself look like?

I've had so many different careers in my time to date and so many different seasons of life but in all of them I've essentially come back to dressing the same way - comfortable, colourful and a bit creative with a street-ish vibe. I've never been one to dress for the opposite sex, or to dress in designer brand names etc, but I've definitely had moments when I felt like the way I dressed wasn't "sophisticated" or "professional" or "serious" enough especially in executive roles. When I started my business I initially felt like I needed to dress the part of this "consultant" and would often dress in darker colours or tone down my accessories to not stand out too much, especially in corporate offices. I've since learned that turning up as myself — whether that's in high-tops and a sweater, or baggy bold pants and a bomber jacket — is the best thing I can do. When I feel like who I really am and it's expressed stylistically, I think it just creates a more authentic connection with anyone I'm coming into contact with. I don't really stick to any particular style, it's more about how I feel and what feels good on me that day.

If your personal style had a soundtrack, what would be the opening song? Why does this song represent you?

Ooh this is such a hard one! I love sooo many different types of music and also so many different types of dress. I guess either Paper Planes by MIA or Get Me Bodied by Beyoncé — both songs get people moving and you can't help but feel a bit easy, free and upbeat.

How do you tap into your creative energy, especially during busy or uninspiring periods?

I'm a huge reader and I listen to audio books or read a LOT. Often getting lost in someone else's world inspires me to create new pathways in my own. I'm super lucky that a large part of my role as a business mentor and coach is talking to people about their lives and business. So often while they may come to me for help, I'm just as inspired by them and their stories and questions, and so I'm gaining that creative connection all the time. I also love listening to music and dancing around the house with my kids. We call it "shaking it out" and I feel like that physical act sometimes switches up your mood and thinking. I also like to indulge in some YouTube time. I follow a number of inspiring people on there and often the YT algorithm feeds me someone I've not heard of that changes my viewpoint on things and helps me tap into that creative energy again.

What creative project or idea has been calling to you lately?

Quilting. I used to do it a lot before I had kids - making birthday or wedding or baby quilts for friends. I love pattern and colour and creating something out of seemingly random scraps of fabric. I'd like to get back into it at some point. You have to be so present.

What would you create if you had no fear of judgement?

I'm hoping to create a Youtube channel this year and while I'll do it anyway, there's always a bit of a fear of putting yourself out there and essentially starting from scratch again in a new way. But I'm also 45 this year and the older I get the more I'm eager to just do things and not really care if someone else thinks it's wrong / right / cringe. You tend to care less about what others think, the older you get which is a nice thing.

How do you show up for yourself when you need encouragement?

Usually it's taking up space and time which is not something that comes naturally to me. I've often been someone who is like "I can figure this out myself". So it could be culling my schedule a bit to get more solo time back so I can think and reflect or meditate, going for a walk, calling a friend or my sister and saying, 'hey this is how I'm feeling' (this has been something I've not done in the past and I'm slowly learning to do it more). Essentially, it's either making the time to be by myself and present, or reaching out and asking for someone else's time and feeling like I'm worthy of that.

What makes you feel most confident and authentically yourself when you get dressed?

Colour. I'm usually always wearing something bright, I'm just drawn to it. Also, I can't really go anywhere without earrings. I've been like that since I left high school, it just makes me feel like me. I almost feel naked if I don't have them on. Lastly, I've always had bright nail colour on (literally since I wore press ons as a kid) and so when my nails are done I feel done!

What small daily practice makes you feel most connected to who you're becoming?

Time in nature. I'm so fortunate to live surrounded by the bush on Woi-Wurrung and Wurundjeri country. I try to either go for a walk or just take the time to watch the sunset or bring my boys out the front after dark to watch and awe at the stars. During my work day I often just head outside and watch the birds playing or the trees moving about. We have so much beauty at our fingertips, and usually it's free (just looking up at dusk or after the sun goes down or watching the branches move even in the inner city) and making the time to stop and enjoy it is a daily practice. I also usually pray or give thanks to the universe. I was raised Catholic but usually I pray to my parents or other people who have passed on (even those I never got to meet like my grandparents and great grandparents). I often start the day by burning incense and asking them to help guide me.

If you could raid anyone's closet (living or dead), whose would it be?

Jenna Lyons - I've had a girl crush on her since the early 2000s when I saw her profiled in a magazine. Also, MIA, Melody Ehsani or Lauryn Hill — all of them have their own individual style but they usually always have colourful clothing and accessories within there. All four women also seem to 100% dress for themselves, no one else, which I love.

If you could go back and inspire your younger self, what would you tell them?

Just be you. And you is enough.

Fiona's approach to authenticity and building businesses with heart aligns perfectly with our "Be Your Own Muse" philosophy. Her commitment to showing up as herself – whether in high-tops and a sweater or baggy bold pants and a bomber jacket – proves that true style comes from confidence, not conformity.

You can find more about Fiona's work at mydailybusiness.com, explore her books Business to Brand and Passion, Purpose and Profit, listen to her podcast My Daily Business, find her on Instagram, or book her services directly through her website.

All images taken by Michaela Barca