Josie Pacey, Keola Surfwax crowned 2022 Generation Innovation winner

A Year 10 student has just scored a massive financial boost to her blossoming surf wax venture, with her innovative idea and focus on empowering women wowing judges.

Generation Innovation 2022 winner Josie Pacey.

Sunshine Coast high school student Josie Pacey has taken out the 2022 Generation Innovation challenge with her Keola Surfwax idea, and already has big plans for the future.

Nine entrepreneurs aged between 15 and 25 began the 2022 GI challenge in July by developing their business idea from scratch and progressing through workshops and seminars to refine concepts and master their pitch.

Josie went against two other finalists and was crowned the winner on October 12, taking home a $10,000 prize package to help launch her dream business.

“It’s amazing really, I still can’t believe it,” she said.

“My idea was to create a surf wax which not only is chemical-free and made with 100% per cent natural ingredients, but which also promotes a message of empowerment for female surfers.

“The idea came to me in Year 9 business class at school when we had to create our own business, products, branding and set up a stall to sell it at the Eumundi Markets.

“I guess I realised it was something I could take further as I was passionate about it, and thought GI would be the perfect opportunity to do that.”

The Year 10 student and keen surfer said she hoped to turn her dream into a reality in coming months.

“I’m now looking at launching Keola in the local community,” she said

“To align with my branding I’m getting as many local female surfers as I can that want to be involved in Keola, supporting them, launching through local businesses and further taking it to market to expand on with an online website and partnering with big surfing labels.”

Josie said she was grateful to everyone who had supported her in the journey so far.

“Generation Innovation was honestly amazing, all the support and advice I received meant it was really special to know that there were people out there wanting to help the youth of the business world,” she said.