Meet the female entrepreneurs making a difference in South Australia
They’re healthcare workers, lawyers, midwives and designers – and they’re all entrepreneurs. Meet the South Australian women changing the country.
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They’re healthcare workers, lawyers, and designers – and they’re making a big impact with their small businesses.
Meet the South Australian female entrepreneurs who have been awarded scholarships under the state government’s Women in Business Advisory Program.
These year-long scholarships will allow women to receive mentoring and networking opportunities to grow their businesses even further.
Small Business Minister Andrea Michaels said “female business owners often have similar experiences and challenges and this program is bringing women together to learn from one another and support each other to grow their businesses”.
Stephanie Malan – The Village Co.
When Stephanie Malan thought of motherhood growing up, she imagined being surrounded by family and friends.
It wasn’t long after she started working at the Lyell McEwin Hospital she realised that wasn’t the case for many new mums.
For years, the Adelaide midwife watched as women came through the hospital, alone and struggling, and wished she could do more.
“A lot of these women have been quite isolated by maybe an abusive partner or an ex-partner,” she said.
“They were lacking self-confidence and had mental health issues and had a lot of financial hardship as well.”
After having two children of her own and then caring for a number of mums experiencing hardship within a short period of time, she decided “that was it”.
In 2018, she co-founded charity The Village Co, which provides support and special baby bags containing much needed items for the new mum and bub.
She now wanted others to understand “it’s not an issue far from anyone”.
“We are estimating and the data suggests that one in two mums in South Australia are struggling when they have a baby,” she said.
“Whether that’s food insecurity, housing insecurity, mental health issues, living under the poverty line, worrying about finances or being isolated.
“We’re going to know someone that’s facing this and we really need to come together as a community to be that village.”
Aanchal Gupta – iVision Laser
Aanchal Gupta is no stranger to breaking frontiers.
She was the first South Australian surgeon to perform Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty – a procedure where an inner layer of the cornea is replaced to treat a disease of the cornea called Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy.
She is also one of just two women in Australia to establish her own laser vision correction practice.
“Starting a business as a female in a traditionally male-dominated specialty like ophthalmology has been challenging,” she said.
She said the scholarship with Behind Closed Doors would not only help grow her business but also allow her to empower other women.
“Together, we can build a stronger community of female leaders in ophthalmology and beyond,” she said.
Alejandra Arbe Montoya – The Locum Vet
For years, Alejandra Arbe Montoya has cared for animals. But after seeing the struggles faced by vets, she set out to care for them too.
Ms Montoya founded veterinary labour hire company called The Locum Vet – the first in the sector.
“The idea is for our firm to look after relief/locum veterinarians to improve working conditions and reduce veterinary attrition from the profession,” she said.
“At the same time, helping veterinary clinics keep their doors open and give their permanent staff a break during times of labour shortage.”
Natalie Radford – SKOOT Community Access
Natalie Radford knows first-hand how important it is to be independent.
Having lived with domestic violence, PTSD and vision impairment, she also knows just how hard it can be to achieve.
Determined to help others and reshape accessible transport, she co-founded a pioneering community access and transport service SKOOT.
She said the service not only provides accessible transport but also “champions freedom, choice, and independence for all”.
Jessica Tilbrook – Glow Group Health and Wellbeing
When Jessica Tilbrook founded Glow Group in 2018, she wanted to create a space where people could go for nutritional advice without feeling guilty or shamed.
“Traditionally, dietitians have been viewed as the ‘food police’ with many clients experiencing shame or guilt at the hands of our discipline,” she said. “This needed to change.”
In her specialist dietitian clinic, scales are rarely used and no one has to eat broccoli.
“We believe health is not a size, but rather, a spectrum and looks different on everybody,” she said.
Alexandra Vaissiere – Alexandra Lingerie
Growing up in Paris, Alexandra Vaissiere adored fashion and lingerie.
But she says as a woman wearing a size 8H bra, finding something that fit was a challenge.
At 23, she decided to change that.
“What young woman would be happy facing a lifetime of wearing granny bras every day? Not me!” she said
Launching boutique Alexandra Lingerie in 2015, Ms Vaissiere has been determined to make sure women of all sizes can find lingerie that fits well and makes them feel great.
Vanessa Varga – Varga Lawyers
When Vanessa Varga started Varga Lawyers in 2016, she had no savings, two young children to raise as a single mum and little business experience.
Despite the challenges, her all-female firm has quickly found success.
Since 2018, she has been named in Doyle’s Guide – an annual listing recognising Australia’s leading law firms and lawyers.
Described as a “true luminary” in wills and estates, Ms Varga hopes to continue her growth.
Kimberley Wanganeen – Kimberley Wanganeen Consultancy
Kimberley Wanganeen is on a mission to ensure workplaces are culturally safe for First Nations staff.
Ms Wanganeen, a First Nations woman, has worked with state government departments, NGOs and non-profit organisations and founded her consultancy in 2022.
Through Kimberley Wanganeen Consultancy, she helps workplaces implement processes that ensure cultural safety.
Jen Weeks – Frock Me Out
As a student, Jen Weeks used to love creating her own dresses. It’s a side-hustle that has turned into a women led clothing label Frock Me Out.
Boasting unique prints and vintage-inspired pieces, Ms Weeks is determined to make stylish pieces that fit a diverse range of bodies.
Her label runs from size 4 to 22.
“Each collection is based around natural fibre-based fabrics that feel good to wear and are designed to last,” she said.
Toni Briggs – TH Brown
Where others hesitated, Toni Briggs sprang into action.
“I have always believed in making things happen — seeing opportunities where others hesitate and turning ideas into reality,” she said.
It’s the kind of initiative that allowed the NSW-born mum to find success in businesses.
Today, she runs furniture brand TH Brown, which creates and makes its designs in South Australia.
“As a business, we are committed to local manufacturing and supporting small businesses,” she said.
Following the brand’s domestic success, Ms Briggs said they were preparing for an official online launch in the US this year.
Lauren Byleveld – Studio Veld
Lauren Byleveld is the founder and director of Studio Veld.
She founded the studio “because she wanted to bring together talented people to build beautiful solutions to digital problems”.
Jenna Cameron – JLC Project Solutions
First Nations and female-owned civil construction plant hire business JLC Project Solutions partners with large civil projects to support achieving contractual industry participation requirements.
Tabatha Dellar-Walmsley – Healthy Mind
It was a passion for mental health social work that set Tabatha Dellar-Walmsley on a journey to create Healthy Mind Australia.
Ms Dellar-Walmsley, an Aboriginal woman and sole owner of the mental health and disability support organisation, said Healthy Mind has “grown from humble beginnings into a trusted provider”.
“As an Aboriginal woman, my journey has been shaped by resilience and a strong sense of purpose. I am passionate about creating opportunities for diverse and vulnerable communities, including First Nations peoples, to access the high-quality, culturally safe support they deserve,” she said.
Carly Digney – Chiropractic First
Carly Digney is passionate about helping her clients achieve their wellness goals.
Since purchasing Strathalbyn practice Chiropractic First, the mum of four has sought to support families and athletes. She now hopes to expand her business and mentor other young mums.
Catherine Harper – Barossa Veterinary Service
When Catherine Harper started her career as a vet, she took a job at veterinary clinic PI Jones. Today, she leads the business.
It has since been renamed Barossa Veterinary Service and allows Ms Harper to “be part of the journey through a pet’s life”.
Leanne Hasting – Leanna J Consulting
Growing up, Leanne Hasting knew exactly who she wanted to be.
She had vivid images of her adult self who worked in a multistorey high-rise office serving others.
“The experiences that young girl had between the dreaming and the doing created the idea of helping those who weren’t working for the benefit of shareholders but for themselves, their employees, their families and their valued customers,” said Ms Hasting.
She said that’s how human resource consulting businesses Leanna J Consulting was born.
“My primary motivation is to provide some relief from the challenges of small business operation,” she said.
Natasha Hemmerling – Clarke Hemmerling Lawyers
More than ten years ago, father-and-daughter duo Darryl Clarke and Natasha Hemmerling founded a boutique law firm helping businesses.
When Mr Clarke died in 2022, Ms Hemmerling took the reigns of the firm.
Ms Hemmerling, who has practised law since 2002, is now hoping to grow the business and “ensure that the vision my father and I started together continues to thrive”.
“Our firm has developed a strong presence in construction law, a field that is both highly needed and under-represented in Adelaide,” she said.
“I am passionate about further expanding this area of expertise to better serve the community.”
Briony Horner – Succession Ecology
From habitat restoration to pest control, Briony Horner has brought decades of experience to many projects in the field of ecology.
Her environmental consultancy Succession Ecology now works with developers to achieve environmental approvals for renewable, mining and development projects.
In 2023, the consultancy received the South Australian Promoting Sustainability Award at the Telstra Best of Business Awards.
Shona Hoskins -Douglas Hoskins Legal
Shona Hoskins doesn’t shy away from a challenge.
Through her law firm Douglas Hoskins Legal, she prides herself on being able to find solutions for the difficult situations.
Since founding the firm with the now-retired Jim Douglas in 2012, the practice has grown to 11 lawyers.
Trisha Lindgren – Healthy Self Fitness
After losing 25 kilos in 2018 by running on country, Trisha Lindgren is on a mission to help others on their fitness journey.
She created First Nations fitness company Healthy Self Fitness “to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous women”.
“The name of the company is about healing ones self through running and walking on country,” she said, adding that the business offers hiking, trail running, group and personal training services.
Janie MacDonald – Milkwood Studios
Janie MacDonald believes bodies are made to move.
Her physiotherapy clinic Milkwood Studios offers physiotherapy, exercise physiology and clinical pilates to a largely female clientele.
She now hopes to grow her business to help women navigate changes they experience in pre, peri and post menopause.
Lesley MacDonald – JLM Engineers
When Lesley MacDonald and her husband Jamie co-founded JLM Engineers, they hoped to empower businesses.
Today, she said their work has reshaped the way companies approach market challenges and achieve growth.
Alecia Macrow – Thrive Family Practice
Alecia Macrow has always wanted to reimagine healthcare.
In doing so, she has striven to shift the focus illness to patient-centred care.
The founder of Thrive Family Practice, Dr Macrow said she was committed to understanding patients and their stories.
Natalie Mullins – Pod Dietetics
Natalie Mullins loves people and food.
Driven by her passions, she launched Pod Dietetics in 2021, which provides nutrition care to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“We work from a weight-neutral, trauma-informed and diversity-affirming framework, specialising in supporting people with chronic illness, disability, eating disorders or feeding tubes,” she said.
Kirsty Parkin – Supaglu Pty Ltd
She started as a writer but today Kirsty Parkin helps others achieve their creative dreams.
Ms Parkin is the founder of Supaglu, an agency that helps games, vfx and animation professionals find jobs in the entertainment design industry.
To date, she’s found jobs for thousands of animators, designers and other creatives.
Jessica Peake – Chiropractic First
As a student, Jessica Peake dreamt of working in Foreign Affairs. But after studying Health Science at the University of Adelaide she pivoted to health care.
She works part of a passionate team providing the community with chiropractic care.
Jenny Podorozhnaya – Positive Future Self
It was a move from the UK to Australia, that sparked Jenny Podorozhnaya’s passion for helping people heal from trauma.
Through Positive Future Self, she offers counselling, therapy, and training services in Port Lincoln.
“My devotion to my work is deeply rooted in my experience as a mother,” the mum of four said, adding that she was passionate about helping people “develop the inner resources necessary to be effective and caring parents”.
Carmen Renye – Yorke Peninsula Cleaning
Carmen Renye knows how to juggle multiple businesses.
She owns and operates cleaning business Yorke Peninsula Cleaning, is the founder of holiday rental company BNB by the sea, and online rug store Rug Envy.
Kendall Richardson – Mindset Procurement
Kendall Richardson has worked as senior procurement executive in the defence, mining and government sectors.
She founded Mindset Procurement more than five years ago and continues to help organisations “excel in procurement and grants management”.
Joanne Rosa – Jaks Hire and Events
From flowers to furniture, Joanne Rosa is determined to make every event exactly as the client envisioned.
She founded event-hire business Jaks Hire and Events in 2016 and prides herself on achieving results.
Callie Rose – CALLIE
When Callie Rose started communications and public relations company CALLIE, she wanted to disrupt the landscape.
Eight years later, her business has grown into an award-winning company with more than 10 staff.
Last year, Ms Rose was recognised in South Australia’s 40 under 40 awards, partly because of her commitment to work and life balance for herself and her team.
Kate Russell – The Huddle
Kate Russell wants to create environments where people love coming to work.
Following years of experience helping people through workplace disputes, she founded The Huddle, a business providing conflict management services through team and leadership development.
Sunila Sharma – Incredible Smiles Hillcrest
When Sunila Sharma first started in the dental industry more than a decade ago, she had “no idea” how intimate a profession it was.
After working as a dentist for more than decade, she launched her own practise — a place she treats patients like family.
“I take pride in serving every patient I see,” she said.
“It’s so amazing to focus on the part of the body that influences one’s confidence, general health, how you talk, eat, drink and how others perceive you,” she added.
Rebekah Smith – Mental Fitness Movement
Growing up Rebekah Smith hated sports day and PE. It was joining the gym in her final year of high school that sparked her love of exercise and her journey to becoming a business owner.
After studying and working in related fields, she founded the health and wellness business called the Mental Fitness Movement.
At a time when the pandemic stifled business, Ms Smith found success.
“Fortunately the rest of the world starts to put more value on wellbeing,” she said.
Since then, she said her business has only gained traction and she hoped the scholarship would help it evolve further.
Bianca Stawiarski – Warida Wholistic Wellness
With her business Warida Wholistic Wellness, Bianca Stawiarski wants to enable women “to embrace healing on their own terms”.
The First Nations international social enterprise offers wellbeing retreats, counselling and other resources.
Ms Stawiarski, a Badimia and Ukrainian woman, said she was passionate about creating change.
Danielle Tape – The Athlete Lab
From Australia to Turkey, Danielle Tape has shared her physiotherapy skills with athletes from around the world.
She has worked with the Hong Kong national men’s and women’s cricket teams, the Hong Kong touch rugby national team and even as an in-house physiotherapist for the circus production The House of Dancing Water in Macau.
As well as working with the Port Adelaide Football Club, she provides physiotherapy services to the AusCycling Australian BMX team, who she recently travelled with for the World Cup in Turkey.
Ms Tape is the director of physiotherapy clinic The Athlete Lab.
Rachel Manifold – Malvern Dermatology Skin Health Centre
Rachel Manifold is part of a joint female-owned-and-run dermatology practice Malvern Dermatology Skin Health Centre.
The practice has seen fast growth and now employs seven staff.
Karen Briggs – KLB Creative
Through her design work, Karen Briggs hopes to foster better “understanding and appreciation for First Nations culture”.
Briggs’ KLB Creative is a First Nations owned design/illustration business, specialising in First Nations contemporary graphic design, illustration, digital design, and cultural installations.
Ms Briggs has worked with NAIDOC SA, Anglicare SA, TAFESA and is member of the Premier’s Council for Women.
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