Limestone Coast locals who bucked the trend and opened new businesses during the pandemic

From florists to new hospitality entrepreneurs, the Limestone Coast has a raft of local superstars who opened new businesses despite the pandemic. See the full list here.

Covid-19 has been the sword of Damocles hanging over people and that fear coupled with ongoing restrictions has been the death sentence for numerous businesses.

However, there has been a major transformation in the Limestone Coast with many locals kicking off new ventures in the region despite the pandemic.

Green Door Decor

Anne Stephenson

Opening a physical store in September last year, Anne Stephenson launched Green Door Decor with a wish to bring bright colours and an eclectic vibe to Mount Gambier.

For years Mrs Stephenson and her husband would travel around regional Victoria in Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Ballarat selling their wares at local markets.

Anne Stephenson opened Green Door Decor to create a fun, colourful eclectic vibe. Picture Arj Ganesan Jessie Dowdy-Neale The Social Oak

They always wanted to put down more permanent roots in Mount Gambier.

Initially planning for a March, 2020 opening they quickly pushed the date back after Covid struck.

“We thought we were going to go for this space further up the road, but we knew it was just too risky,” Mrs Stephenson said.

After launching a pop-up store in 2020, Mrs Stephenson soon moved into her new space.

The store specialises in Australian made or designed art, homeware and soft furnishings.

Mrs Stephenson said “there was no reason” for Mount Gambier to miss out on the great designs and pieces you could find online or in Adelaide.

“We’re trying to focus on bringing something new to Mount Gambier,” she said.

Josh Lewis Accounting

Josh Lewis

After nearly a decade of working for a Mount Gambier accounting firm, Josh Lewis decided it was time to hang out his own shingle.

Mr Lewis said he left the old firm on good terms, with the lure of being his own boss irresistible.

“You reach a point in your career when you just know it’s the right time,” Mr Lewis said.

“If you don’t take the opportunity when you get the ‘hunch’ you’ll probably end up regretting it forever.”

After years of working for someone else Josh Lewis said it was time to branch out on his own. Picture: Supplied

Opening his doors in May, 2021, Mr Lewis has not only helped his clients, but also “hundreds if not thousands” of businesses across the state.

Earlier this year Mr Lewis, with the help of local member Troy Bell, successfully lobbied the government to expand support payments for businesses affected by Covid.

Mr Lewis said for him accounting was about “helping people navigate their way through difficulties that business throws up” instead of the numbers.

The Social Oak

Jessie Dowdy-Neale

Looking to “fill the gap missing in Mount Gambier”, The Social Oak is “more than just a wine and tapas bar”.

Opening in October last year, The Social Oak operates from morning till late and is one of the only places in the city where you can get a cafe quality coffee after 3pm.

“I have people come in at 4 o’clock and order a big breakfast or eggs benny,” Ms Dowdy-Neale said.

Jessie Dowdy-Neale owner of The Social Oak wanted to "fill a gap" and create "more than just a wine bar". Picture: Arj Ganesan

Covid has had a devastating impact on hospitality, particularly since the Victorian border was opened just before Christmas.

The Social Oak is the second hospitality venue Ms Dowdy-Neale has opened — launching a cafe in Adelaide six weeks before Covid closures came into effect in March 2020.

Many would be disheartened after launching two businesses a year apart, both of which preceded lock downs and restrictions.

However, Ms Dowdy-Neale remains optimistic and said things have started to pick up again, with confidence returning.

“We’re getting a following which is really fantastic,” she said.

Milky Chance Breastfeeding Support

Hannah Milstead

Following her own experience, registered nurse Hannah Milstead was determined to bring lactation consultancy to the Limestone Coast.

Mrs Milstead has begun her journey to become an international board certified lactation consultant, launching Milky Chance Breastfeeding Support while she undergoes her required clinical hours.

Mrs Milstead became a first time mum in September, 2020 and had difficulty breastfeeding her daughter.

Following her own experience Hannah Milstead wanted to provide women in the Limestone Coast with a local lactation specialist. Picture: Arj Ganesan

As there were no private lactation specialists in the Limestone Coast, and with the public sector being strained due to Covid, Mrs Milstead had to make the trip to Adelaide to speak with a consultant.

“I ended up having very successful breastfeeding journey,” Mrs Milstead said.

“It’s something I wanted to bring here.”

Mrs Milstead said she wanted to help remove false perceptions and inconsistent advice surrounding breastfeeding.

She said many women who want to breastfeed their babies end up stopping because of nipple pain, perceived low supply and growth rate concerns.

“People say breastfeeding is natural, but it’s natural like walking — it takes practice,” Mrs Milstead said.

Tia’s Cafe Co

Thia Jeffrey and Ben Heesakkers

Taking the keys for their bubble tea haunt in August 2021, Thia Jeffrey and Ben Heesakkers had one month to do a complete renovation to get the cafe ready for the official opening.

The couple met in Malaysia while working together, eventually getting married there in 2018.

With plans on returning to Australia for a few years before heading back to Malaysia, Ben took a job at the Limestone Coast Pantry two days after touching back down.

Wife and husband duo Thia Jeffery and Ben Heesakkers opened Tia's Cafe Co bringing the fresh flavour of bubble tea to Mount Gambier. Picture: Arj Ganesan

However, Mr Heesakkers said they came to the point where they wanted to work for themselves rather than someone else.

Before launching they kept asking themselves “what can we do?”

“We know there’s been bubble tea shops here before, but it’s definitely a gap in the market down here,” Mr Heesakkers said.

“It’s something different.

“If you look at the radius of the city centre — how many places are selling the same thing?”

Mrs Jeffrey said setting up a brick and mortar location to sell bubble tea was a risk as you “never know what’s going to happen”.

“We just had to give it a go,” she said.

Mrs Jeffrey said bubble tea had been embraced by the town, but there were still some “novices” who found the straws a little difficult to use.

Mount Gambier Podiatry

Jayden Paues

Growing up in the country Jayden Paues never appreciated how many health services were lacking in regional areas until he went to study in Adelaide.

After working at the Mount Gambier Hospital for three years, Mr Paues decided to open his podiatry clinic and rented out a space at the Ferrers Medical Clinic.

Since opening his private practice Jayden Paues has been booked solid with locals who have been thrilled to have more regionally based health services. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Launching in September 2020, Mr Paues’s book’s were completely filled within weeks as people flocked to the local health service.

Mr Paues said growing up he “just expected” to travel for certain medical services, “it was just normal”.

“People are so grateful that they don’t need to travel,” he said.

“Moving to Adelaide and then leaving Adelaide you notice how many services they have.”

With “people waiting months” for an appointment Mr Paues recently opened a second practice near Crouch Street and now has roughly 40 patients a week between both sites.

The Springs Creative

Jedda Glynn

Feeling the post pandemic pocket pinch, mum of three Jedda Glynn went looking for something she could integrate into her already busy life.

Rather than finding a job she founded a dried flower delivery company.

Ms Glynn is a “stay at home mum” who also looks after a sizeable property with her husband.

“If there’s shearing or something going on the farm I need to be here — so me having a job a full time job in town doesn’t work with our lifestyle,” Ms Glynn said.

Stay at home mum Jedda Glynn launched The Springs Creative last year allowing her to balance taking care of the kids, looking after a property and managing a steady income stream. Picture: Supplied.

Finding a niche market selling dried flowers Ms Glynn began delivering her arrangements to locals and has recently started shipping Australia wide.

“I dived in and launched a Mother's Day collection which was sold out in 24 hours,” Ms Glynn said.

“I thought this is something I can do while the pandemic is on.”

Offering free delivery to locals Ms Glynn said she made many deliveries to people who were in isolation.

With the chaos that comes with raising three kids aged six, four and 18-months, Ms Glynn does a lot of her work at night once the kids are asleep.