For many business leaders, success is simply about professional and financial reward. But a dynamic new leadership conference says that doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

Powered by the minds behind Tender Loving Care Disability Services, QuestX seeks to redefine success for today’s business leaders and inspire them to think bigger, lead better and give back meaningfully.

Impact, leadership and legacy will be hot topics at the event when it takes place in Sydney this September. Tender Loving Care Founder Yasser Zaki and CEO Laura Cowell both believe QuestX offers a new path to those in search of a greater good.

“I’ve always had a very deep interest in serving communities,” says Zaki, who emigrated to Australia from Egypt in 2004.

The power of community

Finding himself between two worlds, Zaki quickly discovered the supportive power of community.

“I’ve done a lot of volunteer work, and it adds a lot of happiness and purpose to life,” he reveals.

Be that as it may, Zaki realized that the business community wasn’t as aware of these deeds as it could be.

“I wanted to change that. Helping communities should help you build a successful career,” he says.

Cowell, a longtime veteran of not-for-profits and the healthcare sector, says communities helped raise her through a tough childhood in the foster care system.

“That really gave me an understanding of what it feels like to be excluded, so my mission has always been to challenge the norm and create a positive impact on people’s lives. It’s all about community and kindness,” she reveals.

Both experiences have informed QuestX, which Zaki says is built on a simple premise.

“If we want to change the community and become true leaders, we need to make sure that every single business learns from struggle,” he says.

“Things get tough and it’s easy to give up. The toughness isn’t the problem, however; it’s the resilience. If you get in a boxing ring, you’re going to get hit. But to win, you have to persevere.”

A sought-after professional speaker himself, Zaki says assembling the QuestX lineup – which includes OzHarvest Founder Ronni Kahn AO, Aussie Home Loans CEO David Hyman and Women Making Waves Co-Founder Jessica Wilson and more – was all about inspiration.

“At business events, you hear a lot about strategy, but you don’t often hear about inspiration,” he explains. “Sometimes, you just need to be inspired enough to win.”

From the world-class insights of its speakers to premium networking opportunities, Cowell says QuestX is a breath of fresh air as far as business conferences go.

“We’re flipping the script on what these events are supposed to be like,” she says.

“You don’t normally find such consideration given to the community mindset, but we’re saying that profit and purpose can align. That’s where we’re really changing the narrative of what a business event can look like.

“And what’s really beautiful about QuestX is that for every table a corporate organization purchases, they’re gifting a second table to a community organization. That way we’re making sure that anyone who wants to be in that room can be.”

This initiative is supported by the TLC Impact Foundation, which is focused on creating opportunities for underrepresented groups to participate in leadership conversations.

Even the event’s name is in line with Zaki and Cowell’s vision.

“We wanted a name that delivers our message,” Cowell says. “Quest is about the journey of leadership and the X is the unknown. You still have to go on your quest regardless of what’s ahead.”

Building connections together

This year marks the first of what its founders hope will be many QuestX events.

“It’s a movement. We don’t want to own it, we want to share it,” Zaki says.

“Our theme is overcoming adversity not only to succeed, but to give back to the community,” Cowell adds. “One of the critical things attendees will get out of the event in that regard is a connection with real people.”

Zaki says the alignment of values is what he’s most excited about.

“We have speakers from the investment world, from employment, from travel, finance and community, because we want to attract an audience of community representatives, high-net-worth businesspeople and government. If we can get them in the room, we can start to deliver great outcomes for this beautiful country.”

Cowell says she’s looking forward to giving kindness a seat at the table alongside strategy.

“You have to have a system that works for everybody. And as long as you’re kind, it will be successful,” she notes.

Zaki believes that when we help the community, we help ourselves.

“I strongly believe that you receive tomorrow what you give today, so if I’m here to help the community and create an impact, I know that impact will come back to me and my loved ones. That’s a legacy I’m happy to leave,” he says.

QuestX takes the stage at ICC Sydney on 19 September. For tickets, full speaker lineup and more, visit questxevents.com.au.