S4 E5: Creating joy and purpose after cancer with personal brand strategist, Petra Gatto

This week's conversation is with the wonderful Petra Gatto, personal brand strategist, photographer and cancer survivor. If you know someone going through cancer treatment or in recovery, there's some really helpful advice and insights on how we can better support them. Or if you're in the cancer trenches, Petra has some wisdom on taking up space and communicating your needs.

From marketeer, to international wedding planner, to personal brand strategist and photographer; Petra pivoted her career post-cancer as she connected to her teenage passion for photography and her purpose - empowering women and business owners.

And of course, we spoke about Petra's experience of cancer, from diagnosis, to treatment, to the expectation that everything 'would go back to normal' when she was cancer free. How we can support loved ones through their cancer journey, and how to communicate your needs if you're going through it yourself. My main takeaway? Getting back to yourself post-trauma, takes time.

Petra shares her new definition of self care, how she makes time for it, and of course, what brings her joy.

Cancer support mentioned

Supporting the Supporters https://supportingthesupporters.org/

Against Breast Cancer https://www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/

Takeaways

• Petra's career journey, from marketing to international wedding planner to photographer and brand strategist

• What personal branding is and why it's so important for founders

• The challenges common to female founders in personal branding

• Petra's cancer diagnosis, treatment and the changes it made to her life and her perspectives

• Going back to what Petra loved as a teenager and her sense of purpose

• What self-care means post trauma, and why we should schedule it

• How important it is to give yourself time after trauma

• The vital role of support networks in Petra's cancer journey, and how we can better support our loved ones as they go through cancer

• How Petra's work life is structured completely differently post cancer

• Petra's sources of joy and how she makes time for them

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Petra Gatto's Journey

05:14 From Wedding Planner to Brand Strategist

07:09 Facing Cancer: A Life-Changing Diagnosis

09:13 The Role of Personal Branding

11:55 Building Confidence in Women Entrepreneurs

19:38 Navigating the Cancer Journey

23:29 The Importance of Support Networks

30:26 Communicating Needs During Recovery

35:51 Supporting the Supporters: An Event for Caregivers

38:19 The Impact of Cancer on Life and Career

41:36 Finding Joy and Purpose After Trauma

46:15 Conclusion and Resources for Support

Links:

Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/

About Petra Gatto

Petra Gatto is a brand strategist, photographer and personal brand expert. As a photographer, Petra would see clients afraid to use their beautiful photos because they didn't know what to do with them. So thanks to her decades of experience as an entrepreneur and marketer, previously owning a global wedding agency for over 15 years.

She knew why and worked with women to build their brand foundation, as well as gain clarity and confidence to be more visible, share their message and create more impact. We are releasing this podcast in Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Petra is generously sharing her story and experiences as well as highlighting how we can support those in their journey so we can be better colleagues, employers, friends or family members to them.

Petra Gatto's Links:

Website: https://petragatto.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-gatto/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petra_gatto/