REVEALED: Springfield’s top 20 most influential businesswomen
There is a pocket south west of Brisbane that is growing not only in size but business power too — and there is a lineup of savvy women leading the charge. From real estate, to style and health, these are the women making their mark in Springfield.
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Springfield’s business community is not just alive and well, it is booming.
From property, to travel and beyond, the growing pocket south wesst of Brisbane is proving to be an unexpected trove of savvy business owners forging new paths in their industries.
Here are 20 of Springfield’s most influential businesswomen.
Melina MacNellie-Verrall, RE/MAX Property Professionals
Melina MacNellie-Verrall has dreamt of owning her own real estate agency since she was 18.
Almost two decades later, she is the proud owner of RE/MAX Property Professionals in Greater Springfield.
The company has gone from strength to strength despite opening up during the pandemic.
During her first year, the mother-of-three achieved a Platinum Award from RE/MAX Australia and was a finalist in the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Professional Services Award category.
“I now have an incredible team of 10 professionals all working alongside me to help our community reach their goals in property,” she said.
Melina is on track to open a second office later this month.
Lauren McKean, Prestige Dance Centre
Celebrated ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer Lauren McKean started Prestige Dance Centre in 2008. At the time she only had 10 students.
Fast-forward 14 years and the centre now has more than 500 students with classes ranging from ballet to hip hop.
Lauren’s success is no doubt a credit to her vast experience. She has trained with the Royal Academy of Dance and has taught and choreographed ballet and contemporary for several Queensland dance schools such as Sayers Dance Centre, Prudence Bowen Atelier, Australian Dance Performance Institute and Davidia Lind Dance Centre.
“We aim to create a safe and encouraging environment to learn dance, where students of all levels of ability and age can achieve their own personal best when attending our classes,” she said.
Charlene Rapa, apaR Hair Studio
Charlene and her husband Charlie Rapa opened apaR Hair Studio in 2016 at the Augusta Village Shopping Centre.
Two years later, they opened their second salon.
However, what has put this business on the map is its sustainable approach. The salon is able to recycle 95 per cent of its waste.
ApaR Hair Studio has also topped Springfield’s best hairdresser list for three years in a row.
“As a child, I always admired how hair styles could not only change a look but also the confidence in a person,” Charlene, who has more than 20 years industry experience, said.
Paula Rizqallah, P&L Accountants
P&L Accountants was born out of a determination to ensure all women are recognised for their abilities.
Paula Rizqallah founded the female-led firm in 2014 after the birth of her second son. She had just been made redundant a few months earlier.
“With a laptop and a dream, I built my client base up slowly,” she said.
“I wanted to put into my firm everything that I was not provided or denied as a working mum.”
The firm specialises in small business, capital gains and self-managed super funds.
P&L Accountants was the winner of the 2019 Small Business of the Year Awards at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Marquee Business Awards.
Vanessa Kirby, RE/MAX Property Professionals
Vanessa Kirby may be new to the Springfield area, but she’s already making a lasting impact.
The mum-of-two works in Melina’s team at RE/MAX Property Professionals in Augustine Heights.
“I engage with my customers on a personal level and aim to leave lasting positive memories,” Vanessa said.
“I personally love the high community activity and involvement with young families.”
Courtney Blury, Blury Photography
Courtney Blury has been snapping pictures in the Greater Springfield area for almost two years. She specialises in maternity, newborn and family shoots.
“As a mother, I know how quickly time flies and just how much it means to have beautiful photography,” Courtney said.
“I love to offer a relaxing experience to my families to make sure that when they look back on their photos, they remember what a beautiful time they had together.”
Sherrie Williamson, The Wellness Map
Sherrie Williamson knows the realities of getting back into shape after having a baby all too well.
She started The Wellness Map in 2013 to help other mums going through similar struggles.
The Wellness Map is not your typical fitness company and takes a more holistic approach to training.
“In my training I use elements of exercise, mindfulness and meditation,” she said.
Sherrie has only recently started working in Springfield at the Revive Yoga & Wellness Centre, however she’s lived in the area for a number of years.
Alice Siu, Sweet Moments Florist
Alice Siu left her job as a teacher in 2015 and relocated to Brisbane From Hong Kong to open Sweet Moments Florist.
Over the last seven years her business has grown earning her quite the reputation in the Greater Springfield area.
Alice said her flowers aren’t just something you pick up off the shelf, explaining that each bouquet is carefully designed.
“Our bouquets are designed with all your feelings and wishes in mind,” she said.
Katherine Manby, VM Family Law
Katherine Manby founded VM Family Law in 2016 after her dad suddenly passed away.
He had been pushing her to start her own business for some time.
“The business is named after him,” she said.
“The ‘V’ stands for Viride, which is Latin for Green, my married name, and ‘M’ stands for Manby, my maiden name.”
The family law practice helps clients with protection orders, parenting arrangements, the division of property following separation, divorce and other aspects of family law.
“Myself and my team are proud advocates for the protection of everyone from all aspects of family violence,” Katherine said.
“We work with our clients to ensure that they can transition from a place of harm and fear to a place of safety.”
Katherine considers her team her greatest business achievement.
“Each one of them is amazing and I am so proud of their growth each and every day,” she said.
Kylie Mills, Mayhem Muay Thai & Fitness
Mother-daughter duo Kylie Mills and Baylea Mills-Moodie started Mayhem Muay Thai & Fitness to create an inclusive environment for women from all walks of life.
Classes range from bootcamp to personal training sessions. Kylie and Baylea also train and teach Muay Thai.
“We started off with five members and now our Mayhem crew has grown to 51 active members, with ages ranging from 12 to 53 years old,” Kylie said.
“We are now in the process of looking at moving into a new gym space and opening additional classes for children, teens and mixed women and men.”
Talia Jade Wells, Everyday Mums
Mum-of-two Talia Jade Wells launched her successful mothers’ group Everyday Mums in 2020 after seeing a gap in the market.
A few years earlier, she had relocated from Brisbane CBD to Ipswich. While there were a number of local mum groups online, she struggled to find a real connection with anyone in the area. That’s how the idea for Everyday Mums came about.
“I saw a need for new mums and caregivers to be supported as they navigate through the early years of child-rearing,” she said.
Everyday Mums is a new take on the usual mothers’ group. Talia holds weekly in-person groups for mothers ranging from first-time mum classes to baby sensory activities.
“I love being able to facilitate these connections and also network with other small local businesses within the baby space so we can work more cohesively together.”
Melanie (Mel) Hawkins, Wholefood Harvest
Melanie Hawkins comes from a long line of farmers, so it is only fitting that she ended up in the wholefood industry.
After looking at how commercial food was ruining people’s health in her community and due to her own inability to access healthy food in an urban environment, Mel decided it was time to do something about it and launched Wholefood Harvest with her husband Glenn.
Customers can choose from a box of seasonal organic fruit or seasonal organic vegetables, or a mix of both. The husband-and-wife duo even offer a weekly or fortnightly subscription service so you’ll never be caught with an empty fridge or fruit bowl.
Jodei Williams, Event Styling Co
Jodei Williams is the proud owner of Event Styling Co. She set up her dream business in 2020 after being made redundant from the travel industry due to Covid-19.
Setting up her event business definitely came with its challenges, but Jodei has already made the name for herself in the Greater Springfield area.
From pop-up picnics, teepee slumber parties to complete styling, coordinating and planning, Jodei does it all. She even makes her fabulous props from scratch.
Tiffany Ann Kelada, Bestfriend’s Pooches
Tiffany Ann Kelada is the owner of Bestfriend’s Pooches. Bestfriend’s Pooches is an enrichment-based day care located in the Logan and Ipswich area. The doggy day care focuses on what your pup needs, physically and socially with outdoor playgroups, walks and much more.
Ashlea Giles, Studio Pilates Greater Springfield
Ashlea Giles opened Studio Pilates Greater Springfield in 2019. The studio, which has a five-star rating on Google reviews, offers fast-paced 45-minute reformer sessions from Monday to Saturday.
Natasha (Tash) Hansen, Tash Maree Tours & Events
Natasha Hansen started Tash Maree Tours & Events in 2013 after a two-year stint in Europe.
“I wanted to provide customers with a stress-free, approachable and fun wine-tasting experience,” she said.
Tash Maree Tours & Events provide full-day scenic wine tours to Tamborine Mountain and Maleny.
These tours also include a gourmet two-course meal and local cheese tastings, plus a pick-up and drop-off service to your doorstep.
The company has won a swag of awards over the years including TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Award for five years in a row and the 2020 Luxury Travel Guide Awards in the unique tour operator category.
While Tash has certainly crushed it in the tourism industry, you’ll soon be hearing her on your radios too.
The mother-of-three is set to host a Sunday morning show on Radio Springfield City.
Shabana Flaherty, STF Mobile Hair, Makeup & Beauty Services
Shabana Flaherty is the owner of STF Mobile Hair, Makeup & Beauty Services based in Springfield Lakes. STF Mobile Hair, Makeup & Beauty Services offers hair and makeup services in the comfort of your own home.
Shabana’s mobile service covers the Greater Brisbane area.
Karleen Fallaize, Karleen’s Cleaning Services
Karleen Fallaize has been cleaning homes and businesses in the Greater Springfield area for a number of years now.
Her tried-and-trusted business Karleen’s Cleaning Services offers a range of services such as regular cleaning services, bathroom deep cleaning, oven cleaning, spring cleaning, bond cleaning and even office cleaning services.
Melissa (Mel) Wright, Zest Mortgage Solutions
Melissa Wright set up Zest Mortgage Solutions in 2019 with the intentions of simplifying finance and making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, all the while educating her clients.
And she’s done just that.
The Brookwater-based firm is now one of the most recognised mortgage broker firms in the area.
Last year Zest won Queensland’s Best New Office at the Brisbane Better Business Awards, while Mrs Wright went on to win Best Newcomer at the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia Excellence Awards.
“Through all the ups and downs of the last couple of years, we’ve seen significant growth and I now manage a team of six staff,” she said.
Amanda Jane Vidal, Janes Handcrafts and Gifts
From the time Amanda Jane Vidal could hold a pair of scissors, she knew she was destined to be a crafter. And that’s exactly what she became.
Amanda is the proud honour of Janes Handcrafts and Gifts, which specialises in making personalised gift boxes and hampers for every occasion.
“For me there is nothing more important than putting my full heart and soul into every creation I make,” she said.
“I love the idea that not only have I help a client to create the perfect gift for their own clients but that each recipient receiving a unique gift hamper from Janes Handcrafts and Gifts has an experience that they will remember for a long time.”
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