Listed: Meet eight innovative businesswomen of the western suburbs
From running a Vegas-style elopement chapel to heading a wellbeing collective – western suburbs businesswomen are making moves. Here are 10 to watch.
West & Beaches
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Adelaide’s western suburbs are filled with women dedicated to making a difference in the business world.
From opening a Vegas-style elopement chapel to running a teeth-whitening business, these dedicated women are reaching for the stars.
The Advertiser has already profiled inspiring women from the South East, Murraylands, northern suburbs, southern suburbs and these are the stories behind eight of the most innovative businesswomen in the west.
Do you know a local business owner we’ve missed? Email eva.blandis@news.com.au or kitty.barr@news.com.au
Sharon Mars and Jordy Peat
Mother and daughter team Sharon Mars, 56, and Jordy Peat, 31, opened Polished Beauty Room in 2019.
The duo, who specialise in lash enhancements, medical grade corrective skin treatments and brows, are located in the Port Adelaide area.
Ms Peat, who had been in the beauty business for eight years, said she had “bugged” her mum to get involved in the world of beauty.
“Sharon’s original plan was to become a nail technician but found her knack as a lash tech,” she said.
“Sharon worked at a salon for a few years and then one day we had a conversation about finally starting our dream together and then everything just fell into place like it was meant to be.”
Ms Peat said the business has been successful since it first opened its doors, something which has been proven by their need to recently hire a new beauty therapist.
The 31-year-old said, despite their successes, they’ve experienced some challenges, especially those brought on from Covid.
“With the closure of beauty salons for nine weeks we were extremely concerned on how we make it through but we pulled through and came out better on the other side,” she said.
Ms Peat said she also experiences thoughts of self doubt.
“There are so many incredible salons around Adelaide and every now and then I get that little voice that creeps in and tells you, you can’t do it,” she said.
“But then I take a look around and look at what we have achieved and all of our beautiful regular clientele that have supported us from day one and that doubt soon disappears.”
Ms Peat said the salon was special to them both as Sharon did a lot of the handy work when they first found the salon in the centre of Port Adelaide.
“Thankfully Sharon is incredibly handy, she did a lot of the renovations that you see in the salon herself,” she said.
“We were able to save a lot by her laying all our flooring, painting and building.”
Jewel Chenoweth and Hannah Chenoweth
It’s the Vegas meets City of Churches-style elopement chapel that’s got the western suburbs talking.
The owners of Faithwood Chapel, wife and wife team Jewel, 35, and Hannah Chenoweth, 31, had the idea to open the chapel after their struggle to find a wedding venue.
Faithwood Chapel, in West Lakes, hosted its first wedding on July 1.
The Chenoweths wanted to create a space that took the stress out of finding a venue for couples.
“Seeing people commit their love together in the place you’ve created is magical,” Ms Chenoweth said.
“It’s the most wonderful thing seeing your idea play out.
“I hope we can help Adelaide celebrate love again … it’s so exciting.”
Monica du Plessis
Monica du Plessis, 58, who now runs Mondees Bees in Kidman Park, first found an interest in beekeeping after she was told she needed a “small” beehive in order for her zucchini patch to grow.
“I knew absolutely nothing about keeping bees and had no idea what that need for one small hive of bees would become,” she said.
“I joke that an interest became a passion which turned into an obsession and is now an addiction.”
Ms du Plessis, after learning about the complexity of bee keeping, said she started looking for people who would be interested in hosting her hives in their backyard. It was then that she realised the desire for fresh honey.
“When people were keen to get their hands on pure, raw Australian honey, I realised that there was potential for a ‘side hustle’, that would help me fund my growing hobby,” she said.
After discovering how much leftover beeswax she had, the creative beekeeper started handcrafting beeswax wraps, rolled, moulded and poured candles, as well as bath and body products.
Ms du Plessis also makes handcrafted bar soaps, lip balms and beard oils and balms.
“Everything we make contains either honey, beeswax or both,” she said.
Ms du Plessis said her love for bee keeping was at the heart of what she does.
“The more I learn about these amazing insects, the more I am in awe of them and the more committed I become to honouring their contribution to society.”
Tina Richardson and Lauren Hodge
With teeth being one of the first things people notice about themselves and each other, Tina Richardson and Lauren Hodge came up with their mobile teeth whitening business.
Coastal Bright offer personalised treatment for patients within their own home.
“From the onset, we’ve discovered, holding appointments in people’s homes has aided in reducing any dental anxieties patients may have,” Mrs Richardson said.
“Essentially, Coastal Bright acts as an alternative for those that don’t necessarily feel comfortable in a clinical environment, however, still desire a dental professional product and result.”
Collectively, the pair have over 20 years of experience in the dental industry and advocate for oral health education in their community.
“Our goal was to create a comfortable relationship between patients and dental clinicians without the surroundings of a typical dental clinic,” Mrs Richardson said.
“On more than one occasion we have had patients fall asleep during treatment and have started snoring.”
Mrs Richardson, from Grange, and Mrs Hodge, from McLaren Vale offer group teeth whitening sessions which are especially popular in wedding season and over Christmas. Clients can also opt for a solo session to get those pearly whites.
Sonia Jewer and Mara Hoppo
They call each other their “cafe wives” and run the ever-popular Raw and More cafe on Semaphore Rd.
Sonia Jewer and Mara Hoppo were originally working for the previous owner in the cafe, until he decided to sell the business three years ago.
“Our hearts were very much in the cafe and we decided to throw caution to the wind knowing we work really well together, we thought let’s buy it,” Ms Jewer said.
The vegan and gluten free food-focused spot offers weekly dinner menus as well as coffee and tasty and surprisingly healthy treats.
“Our goal is to be able to supply good real food that is delicious and nutritious along with being affordable,” Ms Jewer said.
“The future for us looks like growing our ideas, bringing people together, sharing delicious vegan food and refined sugar free sweet treats.”
Sharon Macrow
Sharon Macrow, 60, makes it her daily mission to make people feel good with her fitness business Sharma Yoga.
Ms Macrow, who has been working with people and their bodies for over 25 years, teaches Hatha yoga at St Michael’s and all Angels Church in Henley Beach.
“My business is about helping people feel good, honouring and feeling good in their body, mind and soul,” she said.
“Creating a space where you can find stillness when you need calm and a place of energy when you need uplifting.”
Ms Macrow became a qualified yoga instructor at the end of 2021 after previously focusing on Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy.
“I love this work and know how important it is to move the body as well as having regular treatment to help you be a happier, healthier and better version of yourself,” she said.
“My vision is to educate via general (yoga) classes, worships and retreats.
“The better we understand why we do something the better we can work towards the development of healthy human connection.”
Rosie Zobel
Rosie Zobel is doing it all from juggling her three kids to running her own lash and brow business.
The 34-year-old’s business, located in Netley, provides cometic tattooing including ombre brows and lip blush.
The studio, named Allure Lash and Brow Bar, also offers vitamin lash lifts, brow lamination and hybrid stain.
Ms Zobel, after returning to work on having her third child, said she realised she would be better at managing her time if she were to become her own boss.
“Literally after my son, I was struggling with breastfeeding and suffered a bit of postnatal depression,” she said.
“All the late nights feeding my son, I was researching courses and planning my business.
“It made me feel excited to be embarking on something new and doing something for me that wasn’t just being a ‘mum’.”
After starting off in a salon, Ms Zobel made the decision to move her studio home – she said she’s never been busier.
The mother-of-three said the support of her family, especially her husband, has helped her to succeed.
Tina Kuder
Photographer and graphic designer Tina Kuder has always had a passion for finding the beauty in things.
The 40-year-old from West Lakes, runs Miss TK Fotos & Designs – a design service through photography and graphic designing.
“The photography service is creative and inspired by the beauty of motherhood in nature, love shared between parents with their newborn, families, couples and celebrating first birthdays,” she said.
Ms Kuder said the graphic design element comes into play for marketing and creating content with logos, social media and websites.
The avid designer said she has also extended her services to the building and construction industry, hospitality and events.
“I started photography when I had my own jewellery label, I needed content for my website and social media,” she said.
“I really enjoyed it so I ended up creating all the marketing content and photos myself.”
Ms Kuder said she extended her skills after meeting her fiance, who is interested in photography.
“During this period people that I knew got pregnant and were having babies and I offered to take their photos,” she said.
Ms Kuder said it didn’t take long for her to take up photography full time.
“It was very daunting at first, because I never thought this would lead to a full-time profession,” she said.
“I didn’t expect it to grow so quickly after Covid, considering there is a lot of competition out there.”
Jodie Evans
Jodie Evans, 51, is the founder and director of Project 18, the wellbeing collective, as well as being an integrative practitioner.
As founder and director of self-funded Project 18, Ms Evans is the co-ordinator of a co-working space and brings together passionate and professional wellbeing practitioners.
Ms Evans also provides one-on-one counselling, consultancy and worship facilitation for children and young people through her role as a integrative practitioner.
Before starting her own private practice in Port Adelaide almost four years ago, Ms Evans worked for 25 years in the youth sector.
“I have been an advocate, a youth worker, a case manager and more, in many different environments, in both government and non-government organisations,” she said.
“Through this I learnt the importance of connection, acceptance, kindness and unconditional support.
“I learnt that places and spaces needed to be friendly, nurturing and safe.”
Ms Evans said this provided her with a vision to create a space where counselling and other mental health and wellbeing supports could be provided.
The dedicated business owner said she is constantly coming up with new ideas on how she can help people.
“I have ideas about community collaborations and projects we can embark upon, ideas about creating opportunities for meaningful connections and exploring wellbeing supports a little differently,” she said.
Ms Evans said she had achieved everything she had hoped to in the four years since she opened.
“I see many children and young people in a counselling capacity, which I love most of all,” she said.
“I have seen many of them grow and find solutions to their own challenges.”
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