Listed: Meet 10 innovative business women of the southern suburbs
From dominating the wine industry to helping people get back on their feet, these southern suburbs women are making moves in the business world. Here are 10 to watch.
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Adelaide’s southern suburbs are home to many dedicated business women leaving a mark on their chosen industries.
From supporting people in vulnerable situations to making award-winning gin, theses suburban women are making moves in the business world.
The Advertiser has already profiled inspiring women from the Adelaide’s North, South East and Murraylands and these are the stories behind 10 of the most innovative business women in the south.
Do you know a local business owner we’ve missed? Email emily.jarvis@news.com.au
Marielba Bortone – Sparkling Productions
Moving to Adelaide from Venezuela back in 2011, Marielba Bortone hit the ground running working as a volunteer with Radio Adelaide and developing her business Sparkling Productions.
“I am a qualified marketing and advertising professional, focusing my energy to create and co-ordinate world-class events in my adopted home Down Under,” Ms Bortone said.
“I have partnered with organisations such as Marion City Council, Adelaide University, Rotaract Club, Relationships Australia, and Adelaide Council’s Splash Adelaide.
“My passions are to increase community inclusion, build strong relationships and expand my networks across a diverse cultural community.”
Due to the pandemic and the impact it had on events, Ms Bortone redirected her time into volunteering the Latin American Society of South Australia (LASSA).
“The Latin American community had many people seeking support and I was able to use my marketing, advertising and networking skills to help promote the LASSA cause through producing videos on social media,” she said.
“In 2021, I had the opportunity to build my career in media production thanks to the Multicultural Community Council of SA (MCCSA) and the SBS Radio and The Ethic Community Council of NSW (ECCNSW).
“This was delivered via a program called Speak My Language, a podcast featuring conversations about culturally and linguistically diverse Australians living well with a disability, along with other guest speakers sharing stories, advice and resources about accessible and inclusive places and activities around Australia.”
Now, Ms Bortone has created a new brand – We are Success – a radio show sharing the stories of people from culturally diverse backgrounds who decided to become entrepreneurs while living in Australia.
The weekly show features multicultural business people, as well as other guest speakers from the business community, who share their knowledge and experience, along with their challenges and success stories.
Laura Drexler - Ambient Menu Creator
Laura Drexler, an innovative Audiologist, developed the Ambient Menu website to help diners find quieter restaurants where they can have meaningful conversations.
Initially designed for diners who are hard of hearing, the platform also caters to individuals sensitive to noise for various reasons or those seeking venues suitable for business meetings etc.
With over 7,000 registered users, the Ambient Menu has gained popularity and Mrs Drexler is expanding services from the SA region to the Sunshine Coast, with plans for nationwide reach by 2024.
The Ambient Menu allows diners to leave reviews based on ambience, food quality, and service, while Ambient Menu team meticulously assess restaurant acoustics and food quality. Using a research-inspired, science-based acoustic criterion, they determine if eateries meet the “conversation-friendly” standard.
This information helps diners choose the best restaurants to visit during optimal times for a pleasant and uninterrupted dining experience.
Mrs Drexler’s three-year study of noise levels in eateries reveals that modern restaurant design trends make conversation challenging and detracts from the social aspect of dining.
The Ambient Menu aims to eliminate this issue, allowing diners to rediscover the joy of engaging in conversation while sharing meals with others.
The project has been entirely self and grant funded with the assistance of Business SA, Onkaparinga Council and the Deafness Foundation, who have seen the benefit for both diners and restaurants.
By providing a valuable resource and raising awareness about the negative effects of noise, Mrs Drexler’s initiative sets the stage for a more inclusive and enjoyable dining culture.
With the Ambient Menu, diners can once again connect with friends, loved ones and colleagues in a serene atmosphere, making dining a truly social and pleasurable experience in favourite places that see return custom.
This project has been recognized with a Flinders University Early Career Alumni Award, AMP Healthcare Hero; HELP Awards 2022, and Audiology Australia Internship Award.
Rebecca Paris – Australian Native Food Co
An innovative businesswoman, Rebecca Paris is the driving force behind multiple businesses, each dedicated to educating about and promoting Australia’s native products.
Through immersive experiences, retail outlets and stockists Ms Paris enlightens many about the rich bounty that Australia has to offer.
Ms Paris said her passion for product innovation translates into a unique range of items that authentically capture Australia’s essence – but her work doesn’t stop at products.
At the heart of her mission is a strong sense of community.
Ms Paris actively supports local organisations through powerful fundraising programs, making a tangible, positive impact.
Her love for Australia’s natural heritage, her commitment to education, and her support for community organisations make her a pivotal figure in her field.
Bec Cooper – Ginny Pig Distillery
After working as an nurse for the better part of three decades, Ginny Pig’s Distillery Bec Cooper knew it was time for a change.
“My most recent focus was in palliative care, but it got pretty overwhelming, and looking back now I can see I was on the verge of burnout,” Mrs Cooper said.
“That’s when I discovered the delightful world of gin distilling – an amazing escape from death and dying!”
With the life of nurses scrubs behind them Mrs Cooper and her husband Craig – who Mrs Cooper sites as her “partner in crime” – began what is now the award-winning Ginny Pig Distillery.
“We’re loving the challenges and triumphs of running our own small family business,” she said.
“The creative challenge of running a distillery is what I live for.
“Coming up with unique and delicious gin flavours keeps me on my toes and fulfilled.”
While the power couple have been smashing down doors (figuratively) Mrs Cooper said it’s been an eye opening adjustment.
“It’s been an exciting shift from a female-dominated field like nursing to a male-dominated one like distilling,” she said.
“It hasn’t been easy, but overcoming the stereotypes and biases has been incredibly rewarding.”
Mrs Cooper is also actively involved in other female business communities such as The 7 Effect and Business Mums Hub.
Collette Alfar – Endless Beauty by Colette
If you’re a keen ‘best of’ voter you would definitely have seen Collette Alfar’s name pop up in your travels.
The Happy Valley mum is a wizard of all beauty trades, even taking the crown for South Australia’s best wax technician in 2022.
She’s also been nominated for best beauty therapist and make up artists a number of times before that.
Established in 2011, Ms Alfar specialises in many beauty treatments such as waxing, facials lash lifting and many other beauty treatments.
“It can be really hard sometimes to keep up with all the new technology and the new treatments,’ she said.
“I am fortunate enough to have a beauty salon at home which I work out of and I love.
“It gives my clients that personal feeling of welcoming them into my home.”
Jeanie Walker – Great Nature Vegan Restaurant and Grocery Store
Located in Christies Beach, Jeanie Walker’s Great Nature Vegan Restaurant and Grocery Store has been at the centre of the seaside suburb and surrounds since 2016.
After working in a number of kitchens as an apprentice and head chef, Ms Walker started her own vegan restaurant that is inclusive of everyone.
“I became vegetarian as a child after finding out that I was eating ‘my friends’ and later became vegan,” she said.
“I was working as a Aboriginal Family Violence Case Manager for about 12 years before transitioning back into the hospitality industry and starting Great Nature Vegetarian Snacks and Grocery in 2016.
“I continued Youth Work while I was first starting out (for the first two years I did night shift) so that I could pump all the money back into expanding the business.”
After befriending an elderly Sri Lankan man, Ms Walker was encouraged by him to start the vegan restaurant and before long landed at the Christies Beach location.
“It was gutted completely and a huge mess with no kitchen or any fixtures including flooring but something in me started to spark and I took the leap and signed the lease with my daughters blessing and promises to help renovate it,” Ms Walker said.
“While I was working to purchase business equipment, my two youngest daughters were busily painting the walls and designing the space, putting flat packs of tables together and helping choose equipment and decorating.”
The space has since become a safe haven for many families or people in tough situation, with Ms Walker keeping her door open almost everyday including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and also Easter Friday through Monday.
“Christmas Day is especially important as there are many people who feel a bit lonely, including homeless, rough sleepers, refugees and many other people who are welcome to spend Christmas Day with me (with or without paying),” she said.
“Everyone is welcome to hang out here for a chat. I help the local community as much as possible with food donations if needed.
“My main motivation is to introduce people to a cruelty free lifestyle in an inviting and no pressure environment and I change the menu every day to showcase what people can do with the grocery I sell.”
Julie and Paige Cooper – Ortus Wines
The dynamic partnership between Julie and Paige Cooper at Ortus Wines showcases the evolution of their individual journey within the wine industry.
Julie’s entrepreneurial spirit and expertise as a businesswoman, coupled with Paige’s scientific knowledge and winemaking talent, form a powerful synergy that drives Ortus Wines forward. Together, the mother and daughter embody a shared dedication to crafting exceptional wines and delivering unforgettable experiences to wine enthusiasts around the world.
After making a redirection in her career, Julie soon became infatuated by the wine industry and before long she soon established herself as a respected and knowledgeable figure within it.
Driven by her passion and motivated by her own vision, Julie eventually decided to create her own wine brand — Ortus Wines, meaning new beginning or ‘rebirth’ in Latin.
This is a testament to the family history that was only discovered after being in the industry for years, where their ancestors settled in the Barossa; their newly planted vines succumbing to drought.
The Cooper women decided to breathe new life in the passion for wine in their blood and start a new beginning.
Alissa Bernreiter – Eden Gifts
Gift giving can be a tedious task, but one Brighton business is putting the fun back into celebrating those you love.
Alissa Bernreiter knew she wanted more than the standard ‘one gift fits all’, prompting her to open Eden Gifts, stocking everything from trendy candles, to wine coolers and salts and have found its been the missing link in the seaside community.
“Gift giving doesn’t have to be boring,” she said.
“It was a very high cellophane, over packaged gifts and we just thought ‘we can change this’.”
Mrs Bernreiter began working with a number of Australian owned companies to spice up the sometimes dreaded gift giving routine and turn it into a fun experience for all involved.
The Eden Gift team also pride themselves on using all sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging to prevent anymore unnecessary packing.
“Now people can come in and really visualise the products match this and that, and really create something beautiful for that person.
“All our tissue paper is compostable, our filler can go in the garden, our boxes are all made here and they can all be recycled.”
Alexia Roberts – Larnook Wines
Alexia Roberts is a champion of the McLaren Vale wine region and is responsible for producing many world class, award-winning wines over the past two decades.
She has dedicated her winemaking career to the iconic McLaren Vale and in 2022, launched her own exciting new venture, Larnook Wines.
Ms Roberts is an innovative business woman who has carved a remarkable path in the world of winemaking.
At the heart of her business lies her commitment to sustainability and deep respect for the environment and she crafts wines that reflect the diversity and soul of the McLaren Vale wine region.
Ms Roberts is inspired to create wines that reflect her natural habitat and each label in her new range illustrates the native flora surrounding her family property in Blewitt Springs.
Her small batch wines are a testament to her unwavering dedication to producing wines that evoke a deep connection to nature and a sense of place.
Ms Roberts’s new venture embodies her personal journey, perseverance and the pursuit of her dreams and her entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly.
Kate Campbell and Kate O’Donoghue – Play Pouch
If you’ve ever dreamt of scooping up your child toys and swinging it over your shoulder to the next room, well then a Play Pouch is for you.
Kate Campbell and Kate O’Donoghue took the “vintage concept” and redesigned the concept to make it more functional, stylish and purposeful.
“Before too long we knew we had a fantastic product and Kate (O’Donoghue) couldn’t keep the sewing machine running fast enough to keep up with the orders,” Ms Campbell said.
“It was time to find a manufacturer and grow our passion into a successful business.”
The ladies designed the Play Pouch to suit modern life and aesthetics using durable materials with high quality workmanship.
It has a handy pocket with a zip to keep treasures and valuables in and the colours and prints are on trend so they fit in around the home.
“There are a few versions cropping up now but none as sturdy or as attractive as ours,” Ms Campbell said.
“The quality and design of Play Pouch sets it apart.
“We’re fortunate to have partnered with such well-known and loved brands that translates beautifully into our product.
“With Barbie, Thomas, Hot Wheels and Little People we have a Play Pouch offering for kids of different ages and interests from fashion, cars and locomotive.”
Kristi McMillan – Rainy Day Recruitment
As the Co-founder and chief operating officer of Rainy Day Recruitment, Kristi McMillan has had an expansive career spanning marketing, IT, system design, management and recruitment – across the defence sector and professional services.
Ms McMillan and her business partner John Camm founded Rainy Day Recruitment back in 2021 after losing their jobs during the pandemic.
“Myself and my business partner both lost jobs during Covid when company we worked for was put into liquidation,” Ms McMillan said.
“We saw a perfect balance of skills with my business partner, suggested we start on our own and do all the things we wanted to do at the old company but weren’t ‘allowed’ to.
“We knew we could do it better and make a difference.”
The Rainy Day Recruitment team aim to revolutionise the recruitment industry by providing a more ethical and transparent service and supporting clients in building a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
“We are passionate about diversity and inclusion: Both my business partner and I have dealt with injustice, racism, and sexism in our careers.
“As a result, we are passionate about jobseekers being treated based on their skills.
“Our vision is for all members of society to have equal access to meaningful employment opportunities.”
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