Autumn Murphy

I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance, personal accountability, and a commitment to continuous learning. I also remain open to adapting and pivoting when necessary to meet new challenges and opportunities.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that no one is going to save me—it’s ultimately up to me. That idea has stayed with me in different forms, often summed up in phrases like, “If it was meant to be, it’s up to me,” reinforcing personal responsibility, initiative, and ownership over my own growth and outcomes.

I want everyone to feel that you're not a victim, but you are victorious. You don't have to put yourself down. You take what you need and leave the rest. It's very hard to decompartmentalize your thoughts when you go through things that are traumatic, but you almost have to know that it's there and separate yourself. It's like somebody who's taken off their training wheels and they're becoming somebody different riding the bike. That's how I try to empower other women who I see struggling within the industry. One of the things I loved about my corporate profession is leading those who didn't have the self-confidence in themselves, because there's so many out there that are demeaned by the male-dominated industry. I've been in GC World my whole life and I see it all the time.

The biggest challenges in my field include navigating perceptions in a male-prevalent industry, competing with low-cost “man in a van” pricing models, and managing the many responsibilities of running a business, especially during slower sales periods, along with handling occasional difficult client interactions. At the same time, there are strong opportunities in serving busy professionals who value reliable, outsourced home services, engaging in community-focused projects, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for effective lead generation and relationship-building.

The most important skill you'll ever learn in your entire life is how to navigate and pivot through life itself, and it's always continuous learning. I focus a lot on self-care - I'm big into fitness for my mental state and physical state of well-being. I have to own me in order to be me, so I hold myself accountable. First and foremost, my family - we have 6 children together, 3 boys and 3 girls, and they keep us super busy. I want to have a legacy not just of my children, but to live by an example. The biggest example is when you are treating others that are strangers, going into their homes and businesses, making an impact with them just by helping them. That's probably the biggest thing I want to focus on - how can I give back? For all the rungs that you're pulling yourself up, don't forget to reach back behind you to pull the next person up with you.