At HEXPO 2025, the Feastival of Ideas wasn’t just about founders and funding. It was about the first steps, the leap from lecture halls to LinkedIn headlines, from student life to the start of something real.

That’s what made “Cream of the Crop” such a standout session. Hosted by Julia Tai from HEX, the panel brought together Daisy Sun from Canva, Cadon Ho from Warner Music Australia, and Josh McLeod from Local Brewing Co.

Together, they represented the messy, motivating, and magical middle ground between studying, working, and figuring it all out.

The Spark

You could feel the energy shift as each panelist shared their story, no pretense, no perfect paths. Just honest insight about what it’s like to chase a career that actually means something.

Julia kicked off the conversation with questions that dug deep:

• Have you ever felt underestimated because of your age, background, or experience, and how did you respond?
  
• What was a turning point as a student that shaped the path you’re on now?
  
• Can you share a time when someone doubted you, but you proved them wrong?
  
• What’s your secret sauce?
  
• And how do you balance working hard and playing hard as a young person?
  

The stories that followed were refreshingly real.

Daisy talked about building creative confidence at Canva and how design thinking isn’t just about making things look good, it’s about solving problems with empathy and purpose.

Cadon, who’s gone from Red Bull to Warner Music Australia, unpacked what it takes to blend creativity with corporate life. His story was a reminder that passion can scale if you stay grounded in what drives you.

And Josh, who started as an intern at Local Brewing Co., worked his way up to Head of Operations, and is now Director, shared the scrappy, entrepreneurial side of early-career growth, how curiosity (and a love for craft beer) turned into a business that gives back to the community.

Three very different journeys, one shared thread: you don’t have to wait to start doing meaningful work.

The Realities of Starting Out

“Cream of the Crop” wasn’t about highlight reels. It was about the messy middle, the long hours, the doubts, the imposter syndrome that sneaks in when you land your dream job and wonder if you belong there.

Each speaker admitted that success rarely looks like a straight line. Some stumbled into opportunity. Others had to fight for a seat at the table. But they all agreed: early careers are about momentum, not perfection.

Julia guided the conversation with that trademark HEX honesty, highlighting how young professionals today are redefining ambition on their own terms.

The panel explored what it means to take feedback, especially when you’re young and constantly hearing advice, and how to filter out the noise. “Take what sticks,” as Julia summed it up.

They also touched on resilience, because trying new things, failing fast, and figuring out what you actually like (and don’t like) is part of the process. Growth comes from curiosity and persistence, not perfection.

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Lessons Served Fresh

What made the panel stand out was how real it felt. There was laughter, vulnerability, and a lot of nodding heads in the audience.

Their advice was refreshingly practical:

• Don’t wait for titles to lead. Influence comes from action.
  
  
• Build your network with kindness. People remember energy, not résumés. Reach out to people you admire, say yes to coffee chats, and create connections rooted in authenticity, because networks built on generosity go the furthest.
• Own your story. Every twist and detour adds flavour to your path.

The panel didn’t just inspire, it validated. Everyone in the room was reminded that figuring it out as you go is not just okay, it’s essential.

The Aftertaste

By the time “Cream of the Crop” wrapped, it felt less like a panel and more like a group chat between friends who had just happened to grow into leaders.

They reminded us that success isn’t a prize. It’s a practice. And the best careers aren’t always built on strategy, sometimes they’re built on saying yes, showing up, and learning on the fly.

That’s the beauty of early ambition. It’s raw, real, and ready to rise.

And as the Feastival of Ideas continued, one thing was clear: the next generation of leaders isn’t waiting for permission. They’re already making their mark, one bold move at a time.‍

🌱 Next on the plate: HEXPO 2025 Series: Generation Next Pitch à la Carte.