Founder of PepTalkHer, Meggie Palmer joins us for the latest instalment of From The Desk Of...
Meggie Palmer founded PepTalkHer after her experience of inequality in the workplace; from the start, her mission was clear: to close the gender pay gap. Using AI technology ‘to coach confidence and negotiation and to give you a pep talk when you need it most’, PepTalkHer (and its associated App) is exists to help keep you on track in realising your goals and ambitions. “We’ve supported people to get pay raises from $5,000 all the way up to more than $100,000.”
Hailing from Queensland originally, Palmer now calls New York home. Here she shares the ins and outs of her average 9-to-5…
How do you start your days?
I gotta admit – I’m not an early bird. When I do roll out of bed, I begin my day with a gratitude practice – I go through three things that I’m grateful for. Then I listen to the NYT Daily podcast while I get ready. I make a fruit and veggie smoothie, catch up on news before jumping into the day.
What’s your go-to uniform?
I’m a capsule wardrobe gal so in non-COVID times (?) you’ll find me in jeans and blazers. These days though, it’s active wear all the way! (I love Tory Burch Sport, Sorella Organics, and Spanx Active). I really try to as much as possible only buy secondhand clothes these days as I’m so conscious of the impact we all have on the environment through our fashion consumption. I’m a huge Real Real fan and am always scouring for Scanlan Theodore, Anine Bing, and Celine pieces.
Describe your workspace/ workplace…
We moved to a bigger place during the pandemic so that my fiancee and I could each have our own office. I work from our spare room. I have a standing desk [and] a permanent studio set up for our YouTube and course content. I also have a super comfy Sarah Ellison couch in my office that I often work from with my laptop. Plus I have a heap of plants – COVID really got my green thumb going!
Identify something in your workspace that’s special to you (and why)…
I have a photo of my best friends from high school, Hayley and Annie, plus a framed pic of some of my women in business besties – both bring me joy!
What are your workplace essentials?
Candles so I feel zen while working, La Croix to keep me hydrated, and to help distract me from the chocolate in my cupboard (!), and my Lume Cube lamp – it doubles as a ring light. I’m obsessed.
What time of day are you at your most creative?
From about 4PM til midnight I tend to do my best work!
What’s your go-to lunch order?
Salmon poke bowl. Delicious!
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Hearing from women around the world that the PepTalkHer App, our courses, and our free Pay Raise Cheat Sheet have totally changed their lives – and importantly – their bank balances! We’ve supported people to get pay raises from $5,000 all the way up to more than $100,000.
What did you study in school/university?
Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Journalism. I graduated with honours, which honestly is a miracle considering I also got a degree in partying!
What was your first job?
I worked at Burger King as soon as I was eligible to work – 14 [years] and 9 months. Worked my way up to drive-through – such a proud moment back in those days haha.
Where are you from originally?
‘Down Under’ – Queensland, Australia!
What sparked the idea for PepTalkHer?
I had an experience of pay inequity in the workplace. It totally opened my eyes to the discrimination women face in the workplace. I wanted to change that so others didn’t have to go [through] what I went through.
Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure that has guided or influenced you?
I’m super influenced by all the women and allies who have fought for so many things we enjoy today – like the right to vote, the right to (in theory) not be discriminated against. Sadly, there’s a heap of progress to go, but without the advocating and protesting from our ancestors, we would be much worse off.
What’s the most important business lesson you’ve learned?
Enjoy the process! Business is full of highs and lows. You’ve got to find joy in the ride or you’ll be an anxious wreck all the time. (I’ve been there, it’s not good.) I love the process these days! Always something new to figure out, a new mistake to fix and a new opportunity for growth.
The best advice you ever received…
Leap and the net will appear. Also – KNOW YOUR WORTH. If you don’t, who else will?
What are you working on right now?
We’re gearing up to launch our next 5 Day Challenge. The PepTalkHer Know Your Worth challenge is an amazing free resource that we offer every year to support our community with practical, psychology-based hacks to totally shift the way you perceive yourself and your value. It’s five minutes for five days. We’ve had more than 10,000 people go through our challenges and the results are wildly transformational. We’ve had people negotiate five figure pay raises as a result.
What’s next for you and The Pure Package?
Sadly we’ve got a way to go. We’re not done ’til the gender pay gap is closed. At this rate, I’ll be long dead when that happens – the UN estimates we’re looking at 100-200 years ’til parity. I’m optimistic though, I’d like to be unemployed and out of a job much sooner!
Any Questions or Tips to add?