We’re excited to share a conversation with Sky Austin, an Australia-based multipreneur, as part of our ‘First Rung’ blog series. In a world that is being reshaped by AI and automation, where Gen Z is facing unprecedented and accelerated change, H22™AI believes that clarity about who you are and why you’re here matters more than ever. The core questions at the heart of this blog series explore the ways self-knowledge contributes to purpose and passion.
H22 CEO and Founder Heather Jerrehian first met Sky at a leadership gathering and was captivated by her energy and all she’s accomplished. Sky is the founder of two companies: Luv Sky, an online and brick-and-mortar sustainable jewelry brand that she started when she was just 15 years old, and Stanlie, a swimwear and beach-lifestyle clothing brand.
Heather: Sky, when do you feel most energized—what are you doing?
Sky: I’m really energized when I’m setting goals for myself, and I’m achieving those goals. I actually get really demotivated when I’m setting something for myself, and it’s not happening, or I’m setting a goal that might have been out of my reach because of things that are not in my control. So I’m energized when I say, "Okay, great, I’m going to get up in the morning, I’m going to go to the gym, I’m going to go to work, and I’m going to have a great day," and then I do those things. That's really, really energizing for me, because I'm showing I trust myself, that I am showing up for myself to do what I want to do, set my goals.
My career is what energizes me the most. I’m so fortunate to be 22, almost 23, and literally have my dream job already. It’s awesome, but in that, there are so many moments where I’m like, "This is the worst ever, I don’t want to do this!" but I also think that is energizing in itself. There is so much to be grateful for in the challenges I get to face. As a founder, you have to be widespread; you can’t just do finance or sales every day—you have to do all of it. I find it energizing to switch between designing a product, selling to a customer, and chatting with my team. I love going down creative rabbit holes and then popping into something really analytical.
Heather: What is a strength you have that the world hasn’t fully seen yet?
Sky: A strength that hasn't fully been shown to everyone yet is probably my ability to create experience through our retail and product experience. I’m really great at picking and designing amazing products, and I’m really great at delivering an incredible experience for those who get to have that with us. It's what drives me; I know what I’m doing is right, it just hasn’t been amplified quite yet.
I think you have to go with something that doesn't feel like it's friction. I could probably tell you what I'm really not good at, I find that an easier way for myself as I go to navigate my business. I actually am horrible at organization, but I have amazing girls in my team who can sit there and organize our stock room and do stock checks ‘til the cows come home. And that's great — I'm probably not going to touch that. I know what the areas in my business I'm not good at, so that's also my superpower. I’m a visionary—I can put it all together, find the product, create the story, and decide how we're going to present it.
Heather: What skill are you deliberately building right now—and why?
Sky: I’m deliberately building an organization. I don’t think I can continue to grow as a founder without that. Sometimes, as a founder, there are just 101 things you have to manage at once, and I find responding to texts and emails really challenging. I think so many of my generation do; it’s an overwhelming task when notifications just build up, and all of a sudden it feels overwhelming to just get back to everyone.
The second thing I’m working on is using data in my business. AI has been incredible for me to unpack that. Shopify has an AI slot-in now called Sidekick, and as a solo founder, that’s been epic because Shopify has all my data there already. I don’t even have to work to extract it; I can find out exactly what I want when I want.
Heather: In a world where AI can do more and more, what should remain deeply human?
Sky: I strongly believe the consumer experience should stay really human. Online customer service doesn't necessarily need to be human; bonus points if it is, but I just want an answer as quick as possible when I’m online. But when I’m in person, I don’t want a robot there with me. I want to live with more convenience, but I also love when you go to a restaurant and someone asks about your day, or someone makes your coffee in the morning and you’re chatting like friends. Anything relationship-based needs to stay relationship-based. There are things we can efficiently replace with AI that will benefit us—like pulling data—that’s really beneficial with my business, and in turn benefits more humans by freeing us up.
Heather: Do you have a favorite quote or saying that strongly resonates with you?
Sky: One I come back to often is "To be liked by all is to be loved by none". I really like that one; it’s often my screensaver, and I’ve got it on my fridge at home. I think it’s so important for my generation, particularly for young females. It’s not about the hundreds or thousands of people you’re friends with on social media; it’s actually about the five people you have at your birthday that you love. As someone juggling priorities and a social life, I find comfort in knowing that the people who love me know I’m going to drop the ball in some areas sometimes, and that’s fine. The other people who just "like" me—they don’t need to like me.
Heather: What problem in the world feels personal to you—something you can’t ignore?
Sky: World hunger. I spend most of my time in terms of world problem-solving as part of the youth board for The Hunger Project. I'm not the one solving world hunger, I'm the one doing the work to build the community to solve world hunger. My biggest thing is connecting youth with ways they can help that aren’t money right now, because the truth is we don’t have the money to give. But in a few years’ time, when we do have full-time jobs and disposable income, I hope The Hunger Project will be top of mind because I connected them with these stories today.
Heather: When I say the statement, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken," what does that mean to you?
Sky: It is so true. Why would you try and be anyone else? I think everyone is realizing that no one wants to be around a fake person anymore; everyone just wants the real version of everyone else. I can’t stand people who aren’t themselves. I just think there’s just no room in this age to be anyone but you and a kind person. You’re going to find your calling so much quicker if you’re just you.
