Interview
Shelly McElroy
Dream Culture, Australia
Shelly McElroy is a Culture and Leadership expert who has led teams of up to 120 in hospitality and founded Dream Culture to help leaders excel. As CEO, she helps companies build strong cultures, high-performing teams, and impactful communication. A trusted mentor, she supports C-suite executives, small business owners, and beyond.
1 | Please provide us with a brief bio of yourself.
Shelly McElroy hails from Dublin, Ireland, with a Bachelors of Science in Communication. She is an esteemed Culture and Leadership expert with years of experience in Hospitality leading teams with as many as 120 members. Passionate about people, communication and fast-paced environments. Shelly is the founder and CEO of Dream Culture, who uses her warmth and charisma to help leaders seek their highest potential. She has successfully helped countless companies and leaders create sustainable cultures, develop high-performing teams, and master and elevate their communication skills. With a firm understanding of the fundamentals of workplace interactions, Shelly is a trusted mentor and go-to guide for C-suite executives, small business owners, and everyone in between.
2 | What is your role in the company?
CEO and Founder.
3 | Please tell us more about your organization.
Creating Dream Culture in February 2023, Shelly has leveraged her strengths to understand and exceed client expectations, collaborating with renowned clients like Christian Dior, Momofuku, Coca-Cola, and Macquarie Bank. Dream Culture's mission is to elevate leaders by enhancing their confidence and capability which is delivered through coaching 1:1 and group coaching. Shelly is a strong advocate for sustainability and community involvement. Dream Culture's projects emphasize eco-friendly practices and social responsibility, actively engaging with local communities through educational workshops on mental health, mentorship programs, and partnerships with the Waverly Council’s Women’s Advisory Board. Shelly McElroy's leadership has fostered a culture of innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment. Her ability to integrate diverse cultural experiences from globally travelling, with creative leadership makes her a deserving candidate for this award, celebrating her outstanding contributions to leaders, business and community partnerships.
4 | Describe the industry your organization is specialized in, as well as its main characteristics.
We are primarily focusing on the hospitality industry at the moment due to the poor reputation it holds around culture. We are focusing on elevating a cultural safety standard to enable businesses to commit to stronger base line so all staff can feel welcome, safe, respected and valued.
5 | Congratulations! As the winner of the TITAN Women In Business Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
We are incredibly humbled and still in shock, to be honest. Looking at the caliber of leaders globally that we now sit beside, this has boosted our confidence and efforts to do more.
6 | How has winning an international award help promote your organization?
We have some international clients; however, this strongly positions us as experts in our field. We hope it creates introductions and helps elevate awareness of the brand we would love to build beyond Sydney, Australia.
7 | What are the challenges of developing / marketing your winning entry(ies)?
This is our very first award entry, so we found it challenging to back ourselves into entering. The questions are thought-provoking, and we found the process helpful in creating meaningful insights about our business, goals, and achievements.
8 | As a business owner, please tell us more about your ideation process.
Dream Culture was created after experiencing a toxic work environment and bullying firsthand. I witnessed the effects not only on my mental well-being but also on my work, my friends, and, most importantly, my family. I made the decision that my purpose would be to help businesses do better. Often, there's a "stick your head in the sand" mentality because we don't know where to start. Dream Culture has created a unique offering that makes the complex simple and transforms the simple into something compelling. We now have evidence of the impact we are having on individuals, teams, business metrics, and sustainable culture change, of which we are incredibly proud. We work off a very simple four-step process: LEARN – COMMIT – DO – REVIEW. We identify what's working, what's not, and what could be better if… This keeps us on our toes, ensuring the utmost presence and collaboration to co-create the best results with a win-win mentality.
9 | What is your own definition of a successful team / organization / business?
When we reach into our untapped potential, we can all become titans. Sometimes, we just need someone to believe in us.
10 | What led you / your organization to become successful within the industry you are currently in?
Our dedication to a growth mindset, being always open to feedback, and firmly believing that "none of us are as smart as all of us" helps us bring the power of the collective at all times. We stand out in hospitality, as we have over 50 years of experience working on the ground in that sector, and we believe we can transfer our skills to any industry.
11 | How has the country, you are based in, helped move your industry forward?
We are creating a culture competency which is groundbreaking innovation for the industry and hopefully something the world should get ready for.
12 | What have you found to be a hindering factor, for your business, during the entire course of the pandemic, and how did you overcome that hinderance?
It wasn't in existence back then, but what I did learn was to slow down to move fast—to focus on what's truly important. To prioritize being a parent, and that business ideation began. I now know that business is built on the analogy of a surfboard—you need to focus on what's in front of you, be present and focused, be fit at your game, and learn to stand on an unstable surface.
13 | What are the current trends in the business industry that you are most excited about?
Helping teams and individuals improve gets me out of bed... There is a need for "hospitality to do better," and we are ready to be that platform to help elevate.
14 | What resources would you recommend to someone who is searching to improve their business prospects and organizational success?
There is no excuse not to learn with technology at our fingertips—Spotify, Blinkist, online learning, working circles, asking questions of your team... the list goes on and on. Keep your mind open... ask for recommendations, listen to podcasts, and intentionally connect with other business owners. You need people who support you and, equally, people who challenge you. The business bible for me has been 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders'.
15 | Where do you see the evolution of the overall business industry in the next 5-10 years?
Sustainable growth and development of some sort of app to help us deliver at a different scale.
16 | Who inspired you in your life, and why?
My husband and my two beautiful children are my favorite people and my greatest inspiration. They give me true happiness, remind me to play and have fun, stretch my patience, and believe in me, which makes me a better person.
17 | What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Stay humble, remember your core roots, and be true to yourself. If you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right.
