The Viking Chats: PA to Sales Director, Annalese Walmsley on building a career without playing safe

Annalese Walmsley’s career does not follow a straight line, and that is exactly the point.

In this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Annalese from Kotini to talk about what it really takes to build a long-term career in the property industry, especially in the supplier and PropTech space.

From organising the first Hunters national conference to working across insurance, customer feedback platforms, deposit alternatives, and now digital onboarding, Annalese shares how curiosity, integrity, and a willingness to take calculated risks have shaped her journey.

The conversation also dives into why not every role is the right fit, how corporate life differs from startup culture, and why passion for a product matters more than salary or job title. Along the way, they discuss industry events, supplier visibility, and why some conferences create genuine impact while others feel repetitive.

It is a thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly honest conversation about growth, confidence, and staying true to yourself in a fast-changing industry.