Hi, I'm Tory
I know that just as our stories have the power to shape us, we have the power to shape our stories.
Thanks to Drew Barrymore, I found my Power.
I was watching her onstage at an event I’d organised. Drew was talking surviving tough times and I thought, ‘lady, I see you and raise you five. You know what, I’m done.’ And I was. I gave up PR. I had worked with all of the brands, celebrities and influencers on my bucket list—Megan Gale, Zara, Nespresso, Victoria’s Secret—and the best way to go out is always on top.
The other thing was that while I was getting everyone else’s message out there via my agency Torstar, I had my own story to tell. I started Torstar in my twenties and built a fabulous life as a single mum running a global business. I had a team of 22 including two executive assistants. Then a near-death experience and ten years of being stalked gave me a fresh perspective. I wanted a life with more purpose. It was time to reshape my story.
Goodbye, sparkly PR world. I stripped things back and put myself and my daughter first. I put my health first. I found happiness, positivity, emotional flexibility. I found love (yes, I was a first-time bride in my 40s—so glad I waited.)
I found me. I used my forward momentum and founded Powerful Steps in 2019.
Now my goal is for everyone to find their best self and learn what I’ve learned. And as a successful entrepreneur and business coach who knows you can take what the world throws at you and turn it into your superpower, I can show you how.
These days, as CEO of Powerful Steps, my mission is to share my toolkit with high-octane businesswomen and plot their personal roadmap to success. I reshape your brands, businesses and lives using the proven strategies I’ve developed over two decades.
Now, my focus is on Powerful Steps’ exclusive Business Attraction program. I’ll share the same brand expertise I used to nurture the world’s top performing brands. It’s for C suite women who want to take their business to the next level, or the entrepreneur going it on her own who needs a wingwoman. I’ll show you the formula to find your purpose and live your dreams.
I took back my life & claimed my Power
It took me 45 years to get it right—as a friend says, there was a lot of mud to slog through before I found the lotus—but these days I’m living my best life. I work with incredible people around the world. I can work from anywhere. I interview inspirational household names on my podcast. I’m married to a beautiful supportive man and have two kids in the rhythm of life. I’m grateful for it all, and happy to share when clients ask the question: how did I do it?
The answer is more about why. In one sexy word, septicaemia. Yes, blood poisoning almost killed me and my recovery took almost four years. But it was a huge blessing to almost lose my life, because it pushed me to take it back.
I realised I had to rewire my heart, mind and soul for the life I wanted.
I reclaimed my power by stripping back things that no longer served—friends, family, clients. That gave space for what I do want. Because I don’t have a cluttered life, I only spend time and work with the right people who are in alignment with my values, intent and purpose.
My tip? Wake up with a really strong mindset. I’ve done the same morning ritual for over a decade—if you set yourself up to win, put yourself first and recognise a happy heart is a magnet for miracles, you’ll find your best life. It’s what I teach in the Powerful Steps’ signature Business Attraction Program.
If you’re still here, I feel there may be a 2023 spot with your name on it because you’re probably motivated to step into your power even more than you already have. I’d love to show you that to own your own story is to own your own power.
What has Tory achieved?
For over two decades, Tory has been the CEO of her own global businesses. In her brand and communications agency Torstar and now Powerful Steps, she’s worked with the world’s most impactful brands to shape their story and deliver unprecedented growth that saw them attract $100 million price tags. She’s made reputations and fortunes for Fortune 100 CEOs, celebrities and influencers. When Zara opened its first Australian store in 2011, her agency delivered one of the most successful launches in retail history, attracting 22K people through the doors on the first day and $1 million in sales.
Since 2019, her Powerful Stories podcast has drawn over 150K downloads, she’s helped thousands of women to claim their power, has partnered with ASX-listed companies to empower their leadership teams while writing a book and hosting and speaking at national events.
