As far as stand-up comedy goes, Australia is a tough market.
Sydney comedian Julia Wilson is famous in South Africa, makes a killing in the UK and is loved in Canada. But in her home country, there isn't as much appreciation for comedy.
Ms Wilson thinks it's because we have it too good here.
"Comedy is a form of escapism and we don't really have that much to be miserable about here," she says.
"We're pretty happy, pretty laid-back, pretty easy-going. So we don't really need to be distracted from our normal lives because our normal lives are pretty…good."
Ms Wilson says that overseas there is a huge appetite for Aussie comics.
For the past four years, the feisty brunette has split her time between the four countries, following the comedy festival circuit.
"We [Aussies] kill everywhere we go," she says. "They welcome us with open arms; it's amazing.
"Over here when you say you're in comedy, people say: 'Oh really? What's your real job?' They're like: 'Really? Does that pay the bills?'"
Comedy does pay the bills for Ms Wilson these days, but it wasn't that long ago that she was making a living out of being a bouncer and an accountant.
They're not typically funny jobs, but Ms Wilson says they provided great experiences for her stand-up career.
"I've always been an observer, I've always kind of sat on the outside looking in," she says.
"So as a bouncer, that's all you do. You're just watching people's body language...and looking at how people interact.
"And as a comedian, that's all you do, so it's brilliant.
"And in terms of heckles, there's nothing I haven't heard or been able to put down with a one-liner."
Ms Wilson has been described as "the scariest woman in stand-up" and "as tough as a sack full of nails.
She downplays the accusations, but doesn't dispute them.
"If it wasn't true, I'd probably freak out a little bit," Ms Wilson laughs. "I don't really fit into anyone's stereotype."
Ms Wilson is setting out on her /Scarred Not Scared/ east coast tour of Australia, taking in Sydney, Wollongong, Gosford, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne during March, April and May.
After years travelling the world making people laugh, this year, she's determined to make it work here – even if that means expanding into radio and TV.
"My ambition is to be able to stay in Australia and in Australia, you need to branch out," she says.
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