Insights from Silicon Valley
Shooting Star Moments
I believe there are moments in life that act as shooting stars—brief but transformative experiences that leave us forever changed. These pivotal events, often born from a single decision, shape our paths and draw us back to their lessons repeatedly. For me, that moment was spending five unforgettable weeks in San Francisco, the global capital of innovation.
In January 2024, I travelled to San Francisco to intern at Linqia, a leading influencer marketing agency. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve felt a deep calling and passion for business. While other kids played outside, I would pretend to be a CEO, running imaginary companies. This obsession with entrepreneurship followed me through my teenage years and into university, where I majored in Entrepreneurship and Innovation as part of my business degree. So, the opportunity to spend five weeks in San Francisco was nothing short of a dream come true. Walking the same streets as some of the world’s greatest innovators was surreal and inspiring.
Aussie girl takes on the Valley
At Linqia, I joined the product team, where my role involved conducting competitor analyses and exploring brand awareness strategies. Each day, I was inspired by Linqia’s commitment to excellence, their data-driven approach, their inclusive workplace culture, and their passion for every project. The experience taught me the importance of curating a strong team and showed me what it feels like to be truly valued in a professional setting.
One of the highlights was conducting interviews with team members across customer success, strategy, operations, and sales to gain insights into their respective roles. I also had the incredible privilege of presenting my final project to the entire company, an experience that solidified my confidence and professional growth.
Beyond Linqia, my time in the Bay Area was filled with visits to some of the most iconic companies in the world. I explored Meta’s headquarters, Plug and Play, Silicon Valley Bank, the Tesla Factory, Circuit Launch, Salesforce, Googleplex, and Apple, among others. Each visit deepened my understanding of cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligence, and the ways startups leverage venture capital to scale. These experiences expanded my perspective on what is possible and fueled my passion for innovation.
“Silicon Valley was my shooting star experience: bright, dazzling and imbuing within me the light and wisdom of some of the world’s great innovators”
Key Lessons from Silicon Valley
1. From Piggybanks to Unicorns: The Power of Environment
We are products of our environment. Just as a tree’s roots can only grow as far as its pot allows, our personal growth is constrained by the environments we inhabit. San Francisco pushed me to expand beyond my previous limits. Surrounded by ambitious founders, visionary investors, and brilliant entrepreneurs, I traded my “piggybank” mindset for a “unicorn” trajectory. This meant embracing discomfort, seeking out people who were better than me in my field, inviting critical feedback, and challenging the status quo. Growth requires risk, and San Francisco taught me to dream bigger than I ever thought possible.
2. Failure Is Data: Winners Don’t Make Excuses
Startups thrive on grit and tenacity—qualities that are often easier to admire than to practice. I learned that the most successful individuals don’t fear failure; they embrace it as a vital learning opportunity. Failure isn’t a setback; it’s a data point that propels growth. The key is to stack these lessons and aim for continuous improvement, even if it’s just 1% at a time. Great companies and careers are built on these incremental gains. Winners don’t make excuses; they adapt, iterate, and try again.
3. Run with the Horses: Action as a Catalyst
One morning, while walking with the Linqia team to Salesforce Park, a conversation with Maria profoundly shifted my perspective. She emphasized that action is the number one factor separating dreamers from achievers. Defining a dream is only the first step—the real transformation comes from relentless action. A life geared toward movement brings us closer to our goals with every step. I learned not to fear failure but to fear inaction. Success lies in the doing.
One of the most critical principles I’ve adopted since returning to Australia is this: San Francisco isn’t just a place; it’s a mindset. While I can’t bring the entire startup ecosystem back with me, I can carry its lessons forward by embracing a growth mindset, welcoming failure as a teacher, and maintaining a bias toward action. The ultimate constraint on our success is often ourselves and our self-limiting beliefs. By challenging these internal barriers, we unlock the ability to achieve more than we ever thought possible.
My five weeks in San Francisco were more than an internship—they were a life-altering experience. I’m grateful for the opportunities I had, the people I met, and the lessons I learned. I hope these insights inspire you to dream bigger, act boldly, and embrace the mindset of continuous growth.
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