Bass Coast top 12 business women
There are plenty of amazing business women in the Bass Coast, and we’ve compiled the top 12 who are making moves in the business world. See the full list.
Bass Coast News
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We all love a strong, independent woman, and the Bass Coast is full of amazing business women doing great things in the local community.
The Bass Coast News has compiled a list of the top 12 female business owners in the area.
JESSICA HARLE, TRAIN WITH JESS
Jessica Harle is the founder and intuitive lifestyle coach of Train with Jess Harle.
She started her coaching business in 2017 to help women create lasting change in their lives.
“I lift women up, and teach them to do the same for themselves, and each other, because I believe there’s enough room for everyone to succeed,” she said.
Ms Harle calls herself a “serial entrepreneur” who just “loves business”.
“After I completed my hairdressing apprenticeship – I’ve never worked for somebody else. I’m an avid learner who started my first business at 18,” she said.
“As I matured and trekked that inevitable journey of self-discovery I formed a mindset through tools and skills that truly changed my life.”
Even though Ms Harle loves hair, her true passion is learning and helping others grow.
She hopes to making coaching more accessible, start a podcast and write a book.
“The world is your oyster, your mindset determines your next outcome,” she said.
JESS LAING, GIRLS ON BOARD
Jess Laing is the founder of Girls on Board, a six-week surf program in Phillip Island that teaches females how to ride waves.
She created the business in 2012 because she recognised girls were interested in surfing but there was a lack of female coaches in the area.
“I was inspired and motivated to give them the opportunity to learn to surf in a fun space without feeling intimidated,” Ms Laing said.
“I believe that by creating Girls on Board I have been able to provide a safe, friendly and inclusive environment for girls and women and they are able to express themselves without fear of judgment.”
Ms Laing believes this is so important in a male dominated sport and environment.
She said she is thankful for her job and Mother Nature always amazes her.
“Every single day that I step into my office (the ocean) it is different,” Ms Laing said.
“No two days are ever the same.”
REBECCA SLAVIN, THE MUFFIN LADY
Rebecca Slavin started her small business out of her family cafe in Inverloch called The Beach Box.
Her passion for baking inspired her to start The Muffin Lady.
“When I was 17 I started a pastry chef and baking apprenticeship which I was unable to complete due to some difficult times I faced,” she said.
“I have found that passion again 10 years later and wanted to create something special from that.”
Ms Slavin said starting her business during a pandemic has been scary.
“I didn't really know how it would go, I’ve had to become creative very quickly to suit the current circumstances,” she said.
Ms Slavin’s love of baking came from her mum.
“My mum is an amazing baker and growing up we always cooked together.”.
CATHERINE STYLES, CIVIL MARRIAGE CELEBRANT
Catherine Styles started her civil marriage celebrant business in August this year during the height of COVID-19.
After working in stressful, fast-paced and “sometimes aggressive” security industry for 10 years, she thought it was time for a change.
“I am a mother of two little boys and wife of a tradesman, there is a lot of masculine energy in my life,” she said.
“I couldn't go back to that industry being a mum. I had changed so much, I had softened, so on reflection I thought to myself what do I want from a job?”
Mrs Styles said she wanted to do something that she felt passionate about but wanted a job that allowed her to still release her creativity.
“Celebrating love and being involved in such a special day in a couples lives is such an honour and brings me so much joy.”
She said her most memorable moment so far was seeing a couple elope after having to keep postponing the ceremony.
“I sat across the table from the couple as they laughed about inside jokes with each other,” Mrs Styles said.
“I listened to their love story and how they fell for each other … COVID-19 can’t stop love.”
SARAH AZZATO, HAIR BY SARAH AZZATO
Sarah Azzato is a qualified hairdresser who started her business more than 20 years ago.
She is based in Grantville and won the 2019 Bass Coast Business People’s Choice Award.
Ms Azzato said her inspiration for starting her business was her determination.
“I was very young at the time and wanted to prove to myself that I could run a salon with 10 staff at 19 years old which I did for over 10 years,” she said.
“I then moved to the Bass Coast and have now been running here for almost 10 years.”
Ms Azzato said the most challenging thing about owning a business was making sure everything ran smoothly.
“I also have my own product line so both businesses keep me very busy.”
ROXANNE THOMSON, GELATO AL MARE
Roxanne Thomson recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her popular Inverloch store Gelato Al Mare.
She believes Gelato Al Mare has been a hit in the Bass Coast because of the “local community connection”.
“We are a local family business that prides itself in the relationships formed when welcoming and serving our customers to the shop,” Ms Thomson said.
“Our job is not just about creating the perfect scoop or making your coffee just the way you like it, it’s about every person walking out with a smile.”
Ms Thomson said Gelato Al Mare was created from the merging of “two worlds”.
“I had previously been travelling all over the country side serving the people of the market and festival scene and had the opportunity to take on the space,” she said.
“It was the feeling of the space and knowledge of the stores history that excited me to merge the two businesses together.”
BRITTNEY HICK, BRIGHT SMILE AND BEAUTY
Brittney Hick created Bright Smiles and Beauty in April 2019 after finishing work as a carpenter.
“I set up a little salon space from home so I could work around my six-month-old and one-and-a-half-year-old at the time,” she said.
“Doing beauty from home allowed me to form friendships with people and help them feel more confident.”
Ms Hick says she “absolutely” loves what she does but the pandemic has been challenging for her business.
“Having to stop working for months within the first year of starting my own business was difficult, however working from home I have more flexibility than others,” she said.
“I was thankful I didn’t have to pay rent in a salon while not being able to work like many other people.”
Ms Hick used lockdown as an opportunity to customise her own brand of magnetic lashes called Macie Lashes and create organic lip balms called Amaia Rose Lip Balms.
Both products are named after her daughters.
INDIA PAYNE AND MELODIE SHAKESPEAR, IM GLAMPING
The dynamic duo launched their bespoke accommodation in 2019 after travelling Europe together.
“Our fiancee’s were close friends through the surfing community so we grew closer and travelled Europe,” India Payne and Melodie Shakespear said.
“While travelling, we not only developed a friendship but a sister like bond.”
The pair said their dream was to start a business together and that’s when they came up with the idea to offer alternative accommodation called IM Glamping.
IM Glamping is located in San Remo, a five-minute walk away from the main street.
“We kicked off our first year of business together with a bang in summer 2019 and we couldn’t have asked for a better start,” they said.
“Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we had to finish our season early but we are so fortunate to continue now that restrictions have eased and we can’t wait for what the future will bring us.”
BROOKE HILL, ISLAND COOKIE BOX
Brooke Hill founded Island Cookie Box in April this year however she only considered it a side hobby, creating cookies for friends and family as gifts.
“It wasn’t until June that I decided to take the business on full time after deciding to leave my then job,” she said.
“After my hours were reduced at work, I began looking for things to fill my time and it was my friends and families that encouraged me to create a small business out of it.”
Ms Hill says the most memorable cookie she has created was for a special 50th birthday.
“I had come across a post on Facebook that a lovely local lady had created to encourage people to send cards to her sister during lockdown,” she said.
“I found out that the lovely Melissa loved Mickey Mouse so I created a few Mickey Mouse shaped cookies and painted them in theme and sent them off as a surprise.”
Ms Hill said the photo of Melissa opening the cookie box was “priceless”.
“I think it really helped make her special day just that little bit more special.”
TRACEY ELLIS, GRANTVILLE GENERAL STORE
With many years of experience, Tracey Ellis opened Grantville General Store in 2017.
“I needed a job after being let go from the Phillip Island Penguin Parade after 10 years of service,” she said.
“I had run my own cafe in San Remo for 10 years so l thought why not.”
Ms Ellis said the store had allowed her to meet many friendly faces in the community.
“What l love most about it is l get to meet new people all the time and bring something a bit different to compliment Grantville,” she said.
She hopes to maintain the local in-house cafe experience.
“Grantville General has its own little vibe we hope to keep it local with fresh produce, great coffee and friendly service,” she said.
“l think we created a special place for locals to come in a have a chat.”
MELISSA STIRTON, HEADLINES HAIRDRESSING
Melissa Stirton is the owner of Headlines Hairdressing in Wonthaggi.
Her salon is like “going to a girlfriends place” and she is best described by her clients as friendly and welcoming.
Ms Stirton has been hairdressing for 35 years and the salon has been opened for 25 years.
“I was inspired to start hairdresser as I loved being creative,” she said.
“My aunt was also a hairdresser so I loved being in the salon when I was younger.”
Ms Stirton loves everything about her job including being creative and making people feel good.
“Clients are like family I love them all, I have laughed and cried with them, watched them go through weddings, babies and deaths,” she said.
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