Who is Peace Mitchell?
I’m first and foremost a mother, a woman, a dreamer, and an entrepreneur. I love people, I love to travel, and I especially love being surrounded by incredible women doing big things. That lights me up. I believe in the power of community, connection, and creating platforms that help women rise.
What did you dream of becoming as a little girl? Were there early signs that you were destined to play big?
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. I always wanted to make a change, to empower young minds. I eventually became a teacher, but I quickly realized that the biggest impact on a child’s life often comes from their mother. That realization shifted everything. I thought: if I can empower women, especially mothers, I can create ripple effects that change entire communities.
Was there a defining moment in childhood that shaped your desire to empower women?
Yes! I remember organizing a girls-only club in my neighborhood, our little empowerment movement. But I was also deeply inspired by a family friend, a teacher who traveled the world and brought back stories from places like India and America. Her global adventures sparked something in me. I realized early on I wanted to make a global impact, not just a local one.
Did you grow up in an environment that encouraged bold dreaming?
In some ways, yes. My dad was a small business owner who did things differently, and my mum was a late bloomer in the best way. She went back to school in her 40s to become an accountant and ran her own firm. Watching both of them live on their own terms taught me that it’s never too late, and you don’t need permission to go for what you want.
Were there any limitations or beliefs you had to break through?
Definitely. Self-doubt. Imposter syndrome. Fear. Those things never completely go away; you just get better at facing them. Playing big doesn’t mean being fearless; it means taking action despite the fear.
What are your Stellar Woman attributes?
Resilience. Intuition. Compassion. Courage. I believe in dreaming big, taking action, and lifting others as I rise.
What inspired the creation of the Women’s Business School and Women Changing the World Awards?
It all started with the Aus Mumpreneur Awards in 2009, celebrating Australian mum-led businesses. But we noticed one award category, “Women Changing the World,” was always the most popular. Women wanted to be known not just for building businesses, but for making a difference. That insight led to the creation of Women Changing the World Awards. Our goal was to give global recognition to women making real change, often quietly.
How did your partnership with Katy Garner come to life, and how do you keep it strong?
We’re sisters! That gives us a deep, intuitive understanding of each other. We balance each other’s energy, support each other through life changes, and respect each other’s strengths. I’m the teacher and speaker; Katy’s the event and tech expert. We’ve always made room for life, babies, moves, and burnout. When one of us needs to rest, the other steps in without hesitation.
This issue’s theme is Play Big. What does that mean to you personally and globally?
Personally, it means dreaming without limits. For years, I believed playing small would make things easier, but it wasn’t. Small or big, the work is still hard. So why not go big? Globally, it means creating systems that support women to dream, lead, and succeed. It’s also about giving ourselves permission to play big, something many women struggle with.
You wear many hats, TEDx speaker, Chair of Tererai Trent International, publisher, and educator. How do you balance personal and powerful?
It comes down to boundaries. I don’t work after 3pm. I close my apps in the evenings and on weekends. I switch off to recharge because when I’m energized, I can show up fully. My family is part of my dream, not separate from it.
Which role feels most aligned with your soul’s purpose?
It’s hard to choose, but connecting with women, whether in person or over Zoom lights me up. I love creating anthologies with our authors and witnessing the transformation that happens when women see their voices in print. I also love shining the spotlight on unsung heroes. There’s something sacred about handing a woman an award and watching her begin to truly see her own brilliance.
How did you scale from a local movement to a global one? What mindset shifts helped?
We live in a small Australian town of 8,000 people far from everything. So, from day one, we had to think nationally. That taught us early that distance doesn’t limit impact. Going global was the next natural step. The big shift was permitting ourselves to expand and not needing it to be perfect. We said, “Let’s try it. If it fails, it’s an experiment.”
How do you manage such a global scale teams, awards, books, and events?
With a brilliant team based in Australia, the Philippines, and the US. We couldn’t do it without them. Delegating was a hard skill to learn, especially as a perfectionist but it was necessary. We also rely on systems, trust, and our own commitment to boundaries.
What does it take to work with influencers like the Duchess of York and Dr. Tererai Trent?
Relationships. Our work resonated with them, and mutual friends connected with us. The Duchess was one of our first supporters and received the Golden Heart Award. Dr. Tererai is now my mentor and co-founder on projects. When your mission aligns with powerful people doing good, connections happen organically.
What fears did you have to overcome to play big?
Fear of failure, fear of judgment, and perfectionism. I used to believe I couldn’t put anything into the world unless I was sure it would succeed. I’ve since learned to see things as experiments, some work, and some don’t. That mindset has been freeing.
What mindset or rituals help you stay grounded?
Retreats, journaling, reading, and surrounding myself with strong women. I’ve gone on a retreat every year since 2016. I also visualize before big events, I imagine my community standing behind me, holding me in strength.
If a woman wants to play big but doesn’t know where to start, what’s your advice?
Start by giving yourself permission. Then take one action. Just one. You don’t need to know the whole path, just the next step. Ask for help. That’s not a weakness, it’s wisdom.
What do you wish more women understood about scaling and global leadership?
That you don’t have to do it all alone. That starting small is okay. And that failing doesn’t mean you’re not worthy. The world needs more women who are willing to begin before they feel ready.
What stories from your work have stayed with you?
Too many to count. But I’ll never forget the women who cried on stage after winning an award—the ones who never imagined someone would recognize them. Those moments change people. They remind us we matter.
What’s the legacy you hope to leave behind with Women Changing the World?
A world where women are visible, valued, and victorious. Not just in business but in their communities, homes, and hearts. A world where dreaming big isn’t the exception but the expectation.
You’ve launched a membership platform and now a franchise model. Why?
To scale impact. Membership allows us to support women year-round. Franchising lets local leaders carry the torch in their communities. It’s about multiplying the movement, not just maintaining it.
What’s next for Women Changing the World?
We’re expanding into more countries, launching new book anthologies, and welcoming more franchise partners. We’re also developing an app to make our business school more accessible globally.
Is there anything people don’t know about Peace Mitchell?
That I love to switch off. That I’m deeply spiritual. That despite how big my dreams are, I’m just a girl from a small town who decided to say yes to her calling.
What challenge would you leave for our Stellar Woman readers?
Take one bold step this week. Say yes to something that excites you and no to something that drains you. That’s how you begin to play big.
Peace Mitchell & Katy Garner are passionate about supporting women to reach their full potential. They have helped thousands of women achieve their dream of running a successful and profitable business and believe that investing in women is the best way to change the world as investing in women has the potential to improve the outcomes for education, mental health, physical health and social wellbeing for now and for the future.
Watch the full interview here
