Bass Coast business women: Ashley Grimsey, Elise Duggan, Lorna Wood

From clothing line founders to health experts, the Bass Coast has some strong women taking charge in the community. Read their stories here.

From clothing line founders to health experts, the Bass Coast has some strong women taking charge in the community.

After we put out the call, our readers nominated plenty of business women who are succeeding in their space and we had a chat with the top three voted ladies making their mark.

Ashley Grimsey, Elise Duggan and Lorna Wood all own and run businesses on the coast.

We discovered their path to success wasn’t always straightforward and the biggest challenge they faced was overcoming internal doubts.

But once these women shed their fear and started believing in themselves, success followed.

We’re sharing some of their wisdom on International Women’s Day to inspire women of all ages to forge their own path.

See the full list of nominees below.

ASHLEY GRIMSEY

Ashley Grimsey, SAND N SALT Kids

Ashley Grimsey began her clothing brand SAND N SALT Kids out of her home and said the hardest part to making it happen was believing in herself.

“I started screen-printing on my desk upstairs that was about one metre wide,” she said.

“I was winging it and didn’t think people would pay for the clothes I was making. But everyone kept telling me to get a website.”

She said it required a lot of self-belief and meditation, but when she quit her day job to pursue the clothing brand she knew it was the right choice.

“Once I broke through that mental barrier of not being good enough, that's when the business started thriving.”

The company aims to bring happiness and confidence to kids through clothing with ocean colours and uplifting quotes.

“I think these days kids don’t have enough confidence with everything they experience, so I wanted to create a clothing line with meaning and make kids smile,” she said.

“The purpose of the brand is to make kids believe in themselves and think they are awesome.”

Ashley said when she was nominated as one of the top Bass Coast business woman, she felt flattered and she was reminded about how far she had come.

“It was flattering to know they thought so much of me because, like I said, I didn't even think that much of myself at the start. It was other people that lifted me.”

Ashley gave some parting advice for women wishing to make their mark: “Don’t stop until you get it”.

“Women are so powerful and most don’t realise, we are so much stronger and smarter than boys in so many ways,” she said.

“Women are underrated and should shine bit a more and shine bright.”

ELISE DUGGAN

Elise Duggan, ROCK Health + Fitness

Elise Duggan founded the community-based gym called ROCK Health + Fitness with the purpose of empowering other people in fitness, specifically women.

“The gym world has been in the past quite male-dominant, so when I discovered I could do all the same things as the men I wanted to share that,” Elise said.

“I wanted to remove the stigma of women going to the gym by sharing the journey I went on.”

Her gym “started in a shed with four other women” and has since grown into a community in Newhaven, Phillip Island.

But the biggest hurdle Elise faced was herself.

She said that once she stopped listening to the “voices in her head” telling her she couldn’t do it, it all changed.

“That’s always been one thing I’ve had to overcome, that voice in your head that says you aren’t good enough,” Elise said.

“I went on a journey of empowerment that made me grow and develop and that’s the journey, to say ‘you know what I can do it’.”

She implored other women thinking of beginning their own business to “have faith” in their abilities and dive straight in.

“Don‘t listen to those voices in your head that are telling you, you can’t do it, because you 100 per cent can. You can find a way.”

LORNA WOOD

Lorna Wood Level Up Nutrition

Lorna Wood founded Level Up Nutrition in Wonthaggi after discovering she could go out on her own after being in business with her husband for years.

Stepping away from the safe haven of that team was the hardest part but once Lorna challenged her doubts, she found success.

“I started on a nutrition program a while ago and had a coach help me and that’s how I found out I wanted to share this with my world,” Lorna said.

Now, she works closely with her community and provides delicious and nutritious lifestyle choices.

“I help people with their health, food knowledge, mindset, exercise and the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people,” she said.

Empowering people on their journey to health and self-belief, Lorna says, is the most rewarding part.

“I think a lot of people lack self-belief and I find it rewarding to help them overcome that and start believing in themselves.”

Since opening two years ago, she has built a close-knit community that share in the delicious smoothies and good vibes.

Lorna realised how much Level Up means to those people when she reopens after closing for a couple of days and people come in, relieved she’s back.

“When I close for a couple of days, people always notice and say we were lost without you! I think it’s a boost and positive space for customers to be and that’s a good sign,” she said.

“I think it would be missed if it wasn‘t there.”

Like Ashley and Elise, Lorna said women need to believe in themselves because after all – we do run the world.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

Beccy Louise, The muffin lady 3996

Nadine Verboon, Wattle Bank Farm

Charlotte Bolding Bass Coast Crossfit

Donna Newton Coffee and Co and The Jolly Lolly Trolly

Jenni Lewandowski Bass Coast Boat & Caravan Storage

Yarlini Baum Rhyll House of Wellness

Chantelle Poulton Cubbies & Sheds/Backyard World

Katie Sakareassen Mind Body Day Spa

Shelley Williams Muller Grenache Wine Bar

Erin Gardner Bass Coast Support Work Services

Jess Laing Girls on board

Brooke O‘Mara Island Cookie Box

Bonny Huitema Sylk Skin and Beauty

Lee Zom Bee Hair Dwyer

Mataya Jade Island Premium Laundry

Tamea Love Best Nikodinas Flowers Pty Ltd

Kylie Vines Cleaning by Kylie.