The fact that this chat came in at an hour and half and we’d already been chatting for half an hour before that confirms just how much I enjoy Grace Brennan’s company and what a great conversationalist she is. It’s not just her fascinating and unique story either (although I did love labouring over all the seemingly unlikely chapters that led to the one I met her in) but just her enthusiasm for asking questions as much as answering them and learning everything she can about the world around her. I can’t entirely recall which parts were on air or off air but I know we veered well beyond the scope of a normal episode to just share opinions and curiosity about aspects of the world. She’s one of those people I’ve only chatted to a handful of times now after our PayPal bootcamp session a few weeks ago but would love to spend more time with.

You may know Grace as the woman behind Buy from the Bush, the movement and now marketplace encouraging consumers in city areas to do some of their shopping in the bush to help support small rural businesses. Just six weeks after launching the movement with a hashtag spurred by the devastating effects of drought on entire communities, Grace had generated a 660% increase for rural business owners and just four months later that became $5 million in revenue. Australia Post even noted a 40% increase in parcel postage in regional areas and the business continues to explode now becoming a full marketplace and booming community supporting rural business owners. And just recently, Grace announced a very exciting new pitching initiative for those outback businesses in partnership with PayPal, Big Break, where applicants can win $30,000 and more towards their businesses – I know, what an absolute inspiration.

What I loved, as always, was not only hearing how Grace catapulted into her yay but how unexpected that was and how long and winding her journey was to get here. You might not know that Grace isn’t actually from the bush and led a very internationally focused life growing up in Sydney, living in London and studying international studies in Chile. She only made the move to the bush 7 hours out of Sydney joining her husband, a farmer, who she’d met at 14 playing trick or treat and with whom she now share four beautiful kids (that’s two episodes recently with a heartthrob farmer, take notes ladies). Grace has so much to share on shifting priorities you’re your identity, compromise and partnership, stumbling up on unexpected purpose and grabbing it with everything you’ve got. What an amazing hero for rural Australia who I know will steal your heart like she did mine.

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