Homeless to CEO: Rebuilding Her Life and Reclaiming Her Power
She is a woman defined not by what she has endured, but by the power she has reclaimed along the way. Her life’s work is rooted in resilience — the kind forged through lived experience — and she is passionate about helping others rise, rebuild, and create abundance on their own terms.
Her journey began in circumstances that could have broken her: homelessness as a single mother after domestic violence, compounded by significant health challenges including paralysis, PPD, PTSD, multiple surgeries, and other complex conditions. Instead of letting these moments define her, she used them as catalysts to reclaim her voice, her agency, and her future.
What followed is nothing short of extraordinary. She went from survival mode to becoming a multi–international award‑winning CEO, author, speaker, and charity advocate. She rebuilt her life while navigating evacuations from bushfires, lockdowns in the Solomon Islands, and a direct hit from Cyclone Harold — all while continuing to grow her businesses, expand her impact, and raise her family.
During these years, she founded and sold a company, ran multiple businesses, spoke on global stages, published books, and raised over $30 million for charities she deeply believes in. Her professional excellence has been recognised with numerous national and international awards.
Her personal victories are just as powerful. After a 7.5‑year battle, she secured full custody of her two older children. She supported the father of her younger children through permanent residency and a new career. She welcomed three more children in five years their blended family. She moved across Australia, spent significant time overseas, and continued to build a life anchored in freedom, purpose, and possibility.
Today, she lives in Western Australia with her culturally, linguistically, and neurodiverse family of four children. She runs several websites, manages a business in Vanuatu, and oversees multiple properties — all while designing a lifestyle that is free, fun, flexible, and aligned with her values.
Her story is a testament to what becomes possible when resilience meets self‑belief. She stands as proof that no matter how dark the starting point, reclaiming your power can lead to a life more abundant than you ever imagined.
Kylie is available for mentoring, writing, consulting and speaking.
To book Kylie email admin@kylietravers.com.au
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Awards Kylie Travers has Received
Kylie Travers has received various awards, been a runner-up or finalist for others and nominated for many more. Here is a selection of the main awards.
Young Australian Of The Year: Finalist
In 2015, Kylie Travers (then Kylie Ofiu) was a finalist for Young Australian Of The Year in the ACT. Kylie was nominated for not only overcoming extreme obstacles in her life but also dedicating herself to ending homelessness and domestic violence.
Plutus Foundation Service Award: Winner
Kylie Travers was awarded the inaugural Plutus Foundation Service Award for her work in ending homelessness and domestic violence. Unfortunately, due to ill health, Kylie was unable to attend the ceremony. Two of her close friends at FinCon accepted the award on her behalf.
One of 15 Women To Watch
In 2015, Her Canberra, announced 15 women to watch at an event at the Hyatt. Kylie was one of the 15 women in Canberra selected.
Emerging Entrepreneur: Runner-up
At the St George Ausmumpreneur Awards in 2015, Kylie came second in the category “Emerging Ausmumpreneur” for her marketing company Occasio Enterprises. She founded the company in 2014, immediately securing government and not-for-profit contracts for social media marketing and training.
Lifeline Rising Woman of Spirit 2015: Runner-up
For her ongoing advocacy work and fundraising efforts around ending homelessness and domestic violence, combined with all she has overcome, Kylie was runner-up in 2015 for Lifeline’s Rising Woman of Spirit.
Lifeline Rising Woman of Spirit 2014: Finalist
Prior to being a runner-up, Kylie was a finalist the year before for Lifeline’s Rising Woman of Spirit.
Best International Personal Finance Blog: Winner Twice
When married, Kylie used her married name, Kylie Ofiu for one of her sites. This site won Best International Personal Finance Blog in 2012 and 2013. Kylie divorced in 2013 and changed her surname in 2014 back to her maiden name.
You can find the 2012 award ceremony here.
Community Hero: Runner-up
Kylie was nominated for this award and came second. Had she won, $20,000 was to be donated to Ainslie Village where Kylie volunteered.
Contact admin@kylietravers.com.au to ask about working with Kylie.
Press
Kylie Travers has been featured in a variety of media including Win News, ABC radio, Raw radio, various magazines, newspapers, podcasts and websites.
Some media was before she reverted to her maiden name of Travers. A selection of these is below. For her features as a travel or finance writer, check her portfolio.
Podcast Interviews
Kylie has been featured in numerous podcasts about everything from Centrelink and money through to blending a family. Here are a few.
Finder – Can you Really Make Money From a Side Hustle?
Total Freedom Podcast – From Homeless to CEO
Guru Please – How to Turn Obstacles into Opportunities
Tall Poppy Woman – It’s Time to put Yourself First
Karlsophies –Stories behind success with Kylie Travers
MotivateMe! –Don’t give up on your passion, just get creative
No Nonsense NonProfit – Tips for engaging influencers
Get It Done Mum – How to make money blogging and overcome big obstacles (with Kylie Travers)
Byron Ingraham – Turn obstacles into opportunities (with Kylie Travers)
Fit Armadillo – Kylie Travers from homeless to CEO
Sarah Starrs – Overcoming massive obstacles and smashing goals with Kylie Travers
Single Mums Guide to Life – Kylie Travers
Websites
Kylie has been featured on numerous sites, guest posted on others and interviewed for media sites. Here is a small selection.
Kidspot – How to get money to leave an abusive relationship
The Annoyed Thyroid – She’s So Inspiring, Kylie Travers
Mum CFO’s – How to make your business stand out on social media
Womens Agenda – Could Blogging Be Your Next Full Time Role?
Daily Mail – This Is Not A Wife Beater Campaign
TV
Kylie has been regularly featured in Channel 9 and Sunrise for financial matters, how she went from homeless to CEO and various campaigns to end homelessness and domestic violence.
Featured on Weekend Sunrise for The Thrifty Issue, sharing ways to make money for Christmas
Homelessness as a result of domestic violence is the focus of this year’s #Canberra Community Sleepout. A survivor has…Posted by Nine News Canberra on Thursday, July 16, 2015
Radio
Interview about Best Dressed and my experience with homelessness (Phil Clark interviewing Kylie Travers)
Interview with Louise Maher about my homeless experience
Regular guest on ABC Sunshine Coast, News Talk 3AW in Melbourne multiple times, ABC666, 2CC and 2CA in Canberra.
Magazines
Kylie Travers has been featured in numerous print magazines and ezines both as an expert and writer.
You can find her work for Travel.Play.Live, Pacific Island Living, Ready Magazine and various in-flight magazines in her portfolio.
YouTube
Kylie has done numerous interviews with others about her life, how she turned obstacles into opportunities and blending her family. Here are a few.