From juggling diverse jobs to starting her own business

Founder of public relations and marketing agency often invests in companies she represents

- Rosalind Ang

The meaning of money for Ms Hannah Moreno changed when she went from juggling different jobs to starting her own company.

To Ms Moreno, money used to be a way to cover daily expenses, but she realised later in life that it was a means to effect change in the world.

"My husband and I both strongly believe that many of the world's problems can be solved through ethical entrepreneurship," the 41-year-old said.

The Australian started out as a gymnastics instructor at the age of 14. When she turned 21, she worked as a bartender and a nightclub promoter until she was 26, earning a substantial income but finding little fulfilment in the work.

After graduating from university, Ms Moreno got a job as a translator at French retailer Auchan, where she worked as the English liaison between the company's Italian, Taiwanese, Ukrainian and Russian subsidiaries. This role exposed her to cross-cultural communication.

While she enjoyed the job, the pay was not enough for her day-to-day expenses, and she had to supplement her income by teaching English to schoolchildren and company executives.

"A little soul-searching uncovered the fact that the common thread across all roles where I truly excelled was compelling communication," said Ms Moreno, who then went on to pursue a master's degree in strategic public relations at the University of Sydney.