The Squiz is a free weekday email and podcast with a uniquely Australian take on the news.
It’s a quick read, opinion-free, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s in your inbox and podcasting app at 6 am, and is your shortcut to being informed.
The Squiz was founded by Claire Kimball and we spoke with her about starting a business and the importance of showing up.
Tell us about The Squiz.
The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed. At its core, it’s a 6am weekday email and podcast with the headlining Australian and international news and best conversation starters to get your day started. We’re experts at explaining complex things simply, and we do it without an opinion and without taking ourselves too seriously. And we do it quickly because you’ve got you day to get on with.
What inspired you to start The Squiz?
My smart but time poor mates who needed a quick way to stay on top of the big news events. We’re for busy men and women, but The Squiz is a particular shoutout to our girlfriends with kids, big jobs, no time and/or better things to do than scour the news sites endlessly.
Tell us about your career and background.
I studied political science and policy at uni and thought I would become a public servant. But my first job as a staffer in Canberra’s Parliament House led me to become a press secretary and then communications director at Woolworths Group. My experience at deciphering news and cutting to the chase has come in handy.
Describe a typical work day for you.
3.30am, curse the alarm… The first part of the day is dedicated to getting the morning email and podcast polished and out. I take a break, walk the dog and breathe for a bit between 6.30am and 9.30am. Then it’s meetings and business development until about 2pm. And then it’s all about tomorrow’s edition until about 7.30pm. Lights out by 9pm. It’s pretty gruelling, but I love it.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Test your idea. Not every idea is a good one. After that, it’s about showing up every day with as much enthusiasm for what you’re doing as you had in its early stages.
What’s next for you, and The Squiz?
I’m going to keep showing up every day! As for The Squiz, we want to keep getting our arms around smart, busy women (and men) to help them stay informed and make their lives a bit easier.
