Melbourne’s top entrepreneurs leading city out of COVID
Meet the creative faces behind some of the biggest business success stories to come out of Melbourne.
South East
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Melburnians are a creative bunch. Across every suburb, there are those who think a little differently, who see a gap in the market, who strike upon an idea that will not only make them a mover and shaker in this great city, but will also allow them to support sporting and community groups, to give the needy a helping hand, and to create jobs as we surge out of COVID.
Morgan Hipworth - Bistro Morgan
He’s only 20, but Morgan Hipworth has a business worth more than $2 million, hundreds of thousands of social media followers, and wants to be Australia’s Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsay.
His passion for food began at age seven as an avid MasterChef fan, where he was inspired to make regular three-course meals for his family.
Mr Hipworth turned his focus to doughnuts and other baked sweets, and was the supplier for up to 15 cafes around Melbourne each weekend while still in high school.
He opened his Windsor bakehouse, Bistro Morgan, on Chapel St in December 2016.
Today, the Oakleigh man employs 15 staff, his business turns over $700,000 annually, and is valued at $2.2 million.
Along with his relentless work ethic and putting in 100-hour weeks, Mr Hipworth’s use of social media has been a massive factor in his success.
He’s got nearly 180,000 Instagram followers on his two accounts, and some of his TikTok videos have reached up to 700,000 people.
“I’m a big believer there’s a big story behind brands and people,” Mr Hipworth said.
“I take all the pics and videos … it’s an amazing way to share what you’re doing with the world and it’s the most effective.
“If you make good content, it will be seen, and when cookies and doughnuts and food porn-style images get seen, people start to talk about it and want to taste it.”
Mr Hipworth bakes and sells everything in store on the same day, and donates leftover stock to the nearby Prahran Uniting Mission.
He’s got his eyes set on establishing himself as a cooking and media identity in the future, and is about to star in an upcoming content series with KFC.
“For me it’s about inspiring the audience to cook in the kitchen or start a business and follow their own passion,” he said.
“Anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it.”
– Kiel Egging
Tony Eastwood - The Acorn Bar and Restaurant, EAL AW Window Transports
You’ve seen the face, heard the laugh, maybe even exchanged a “G’day” at the local footy.
But what do you know about the story behind the man.
Behind Tony Eastwood.
How a 17-year-old with some guts and determination worked his backside off with one truck, gradually building a company so successful he can afford to run a little something on the side like a much-loved pub that he can use to give back to the community.
Tony spent his first few years in Doncaster, but don’t ask him what that was like.
“I don’t remember any of that, all I remember is growing up in Montrose. I was involved in everything, the scouts, played junior footy with Montrose, I was the president of the club,’’ he said.
Being president of a popular suburban footy club means you shake hands with a lot of people, which suited Tony.
Tony started his business, what would become EAL AW Window Transports, at the wheel of a truck as a 17-year-old.
He worked long hours, always with the client at forefront.
“If you start off with one truck and you have one client, you have to do the right thing by them, it’s not about chasing the high dollar because that’s no good in the long term. You look after the loyal clients.’’
Gradually he expanded the business; his head office is in Bayswater, with depots also in Sydney, Geelong and Clayton.
He runs a fleet of 50 vehicles with more than 130 staff.
He’s been successful, and that’s allowed him to indulge a little on the side, in the form of The Acorn — officially The Acorn Bar & Restaurant — a lively meeting place for a beer, a feed and to listen to live acts in The Basin in Melbourne’s outer east.
“I bought the Acorn four years ago. It was local and it was something I could use to give to the community, I’m really big on that side of things.’’ he said.
Tony sponsors 10 local sporting teams — his latest the women’s footy team at Montrose — through the Acorn.
“With the The Acorn I can give back, I can sponsor clubs, and they give back as well. They have functions at the Acorn, they tell their friends about it. People give back.’’
The trust test of loyalty — a big thing for Tony — came when COVID devastated the hospitality industry.
“When we had to shut the Acorn, I kept going to the butchers, the fruit and veg, and sending packages to my staff, it’s not that they couldn’t cook, but it was something to help, with the pressure of it all, with kids at home.
“So many other businesses left their staff go, I didn’t do that.
“Those businesses are looking for staff.
“I knew that if I was loyal to my staff they would be loyal to me,’’
With the pub trade now roaring back to life, his day job keeping him busy, a couple of football premierships would hopefully signal the end of the pandemic.
-Blair Corless
Sam Schachna - Roma Food Products
Roma Food Products is the largest distributor of gluten free pasta and flour but this year the brand is taking on the mainstream grocery aisle in a huge move post COVID-19.
Chief executive Sam Schachna said the pandemic presented its challenges but had also served as a huge turning point which saw the business explode.
“It took a pandemic for Australians to fully appreciate what has already been here. There’s been a boom for the food and grocery industry,” he said.
“People want more Australian made and owned products.”
Based in Carrum Downs and exporting to more than 70 countries, Orgran Foods provides dozens of products catering to dietary needs including vegan and dairy and egg free — however it has recently introduced Pasta Roma and Spliits to its expanding list of innovative products.
Pasta Roma is the only Australian made pasta in the mainstream aisle, offering gluten and allergen free options.
“It functions like an everyday, normal pasta but it’s absolutely free from seven allergens and has a unique taste,” Mr Schachna said.
“Spliits are a plant based crispbread snack … the response has exceeded our expectations.
“Our foray into mainstream is a significant development having had a long and established presence in the health food aisle.”
-Brittany Goldsmith
Perry Eckert - Nutech Paint
Perry Eckert’s booming innovative paint business is reaching all corners of the globe including a recent jump over to South Korea.
Nutech Paint is the only house paint in Australia which absorbs carbon dioxide and formaldehyde with zero volatile organic compounds, with its environmentally-friendly products serving as a top choice from buyers in more than 35 countries.
Mr Eckert, of Mt Eliza, said he was trilled to commission a factory in South Korea to supply products for a major redevelopment at the Port of Busan including for huge buildings and car parks.
“They’re using our durable coatings with better weatherability and lifelong coverage with no nasties,” Mr Eckert said.
The huge move comes one year after the business began making thousands of litres of hand sanitiser in a bid to supply the coveted product to local frontline workers amid the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Eckert had an excess supply of alcohol IPA which is used in a number of coatings.
The Seaford based company also pumps out environmentally friendly paint strippers and graffiti removers, along with sport coating and industrial glow in the dark materials.
“We’re really booming … the building industry is going crazy with renovating, buying and selling homes, and our products are predominantly in the renovation market” Mr Eckert said.
“We’ve done a lot of the work overseas to get product and brand recognition.
“I’m lucky I’ve got a great team who have risen to the (COVID-19) challenge and now we’ve hit some home runs.”
-Brittany Goldsmith
Kate Morris - Adore Beauty
A love of beauty products and a solid belief in their ability to help women feel empowered has made Kate Morris a cosmetics powerhouse.
And the Adore Beauty founder is proof that sometimes dreams can come true – as long as they’re accompanied by really hard work.
As a 21-year-old working at a beauty counter in a department store while at uni, Morris discovered how daunting the in-store experience could be for many women.
So, she borrowed just $12,000 from her partner’s parents and set up her online shop, using dial up internet, working out of her garage and storing stock under her bed.
“I had to crawl under my desk to unplug the phone and plug in the internet,” she said.
About 22 years on, the company – a beauty addict’s nirvana – has an inventory of more than 200 brands offering 15,000 products and is notching up more than a million transactions a year.
In the four years from 2016 to 2020, sales skyrocketed from $16 million to more than $100,000 last year.
The company now employs more than 100 staff who help to fill thousands of orders each week.
And while many businesses are still suffering the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, perhaps unsurprisingly, Adore experienced a sales boom as people treated themselves to face masks, scented candles and luxury bath products while stuck at home.
Adore’s YouTube channel also had a 1421 per cent boost in viewers since March last year, and even launched a dedicated Stay At Home Essentials website category to cope with demand.
Morris last month told the Australia Governance Summit held by Australian Institute of Company Directors that innovation “is fundamental to what has made Adore successful”.
“If you think about our story of starting in a garage 20 or 21 odd years ago with no money and no experience and did we have any right to waltz into an $11 billion market and decide we were going to disrupt some really big well-resourced incumbents, the only reason we were able to do that was because we were willing to innovate and interrupt the way things always worked in our industry,” she said.
Adore Beauty was launched on the Australian Stock Exchange in October last year.
– Jordy Atkinson
Stacey Barrass - Goddess Cleaning Group
From humble beginnings, Rowville mum Stacey Barrass has built a thriving business, while helping those from domestic violence or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Eleven years ago, domestic violence led Stacey to single parenthood. She needed to put food on the table for her three young boys — then aged 18 months, four and seven — and keep a roof over her family’s head so she set out to find part-time work as a cleaner.
But her attention to detail, strong work ethic and can-do attitude weren’t enough for prospective employers who needed her to commit to more hours and days of work. Stacey backed herself even when others wouldn’t and this was the beginning of what is now the highly successful Goddess Cleaning Group.
Stacey has built a thriving social enterprise that gives opportunities to women who find themselves in similar situations to what she was in 11 years ago, helping to rebuild their self-esteem and confidence.
“(A lot of our success) is from word-of-mouth reviews and aligning with other organisations that have similar values in community support,” she said.
“So I work with a number of individuals that help us on recruitment but then we also align with other organisations who are looking to expand their business supports through the community.
“By us engaging individuals who either come from domestic violence or disadvantaged backgrounds we employ them to service clients who are looking at a bit of social procurement for their business.”
Stacey said she was proud that her business was an ethical work platform.
“We give individuals who may not be able to transition into traditional employment due to mental health or other personal issues an opportunity to start somewhere,” she said.
Goddess Cleaning Group also recently became an NDIS registered provider.
“We’re now supporting people within the disability sector with cleaning services, via our recruitment of those with disadvantaged or domestic violence backgrounds.”
She advised people thinking of starting their own business to ask a lot of questions and reach out to people in their industry.
She also urged employers to start being more open with their recruitment processes.
“You cannot judge any book by its cover,” she said.
“Allow candidates to bring their true self to interviews and you will get the best out of them from day one.”
-Kimberley Seedy
Kate Curry - inchargebox
Many parents have Surrey Hills’ mum Kate Curry to thank for helping their children finally put down their phone or gaming console.
After an addiction to late-night gaming caused a friend’s son to drop out of school, Ms Curry came up with a product that allows parents to lock up their children’s technology — including phones, iPads and gaming consoles — to give them a break from screens, especially in the bedroom.
The inchargebox is a steel lockable tech charging station, with six or 12 USB ports.
“Each device gets plugged into its own USB port inside the box and parents get the key,” Ms Curry said.
“You put the tech in there and lock it up until you want to get it out.”
Ms Curry won bronze in the Product Innovation Award category for the inchargebox at the 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards.
And her business continues to thrive.
“The problem of managing screen time isn’t going anywhere and is one of the biggest concerns and challenges for many parents across the globe,” she said.
“Our happy customers keep spreading the word and we keep growing.
“Now that my fabulous children are back at school I have a bit more time up my sleeves to create new additions, improvements and collaborations.
“We have so many exciting things happening behind the scenes.”
She advised others thinking of starting their own business to go for it.
“Follow your dreams. Get organised from the start, get IP and patent advice before you launch. Make sure you check the name isn’t being used anywhere else before you start building websites and doing socials etc – as if it is already taken you’ll have to start all over. “Join business networking groups online and in real life so you can make connections, share ideas, ask questions and learn.
“You don’t have to do it on your own. Ask for help. If you’re reading this and don’t know where to start, contact me and I’ll give you some great places to start.
“If you have work already, I’d say keep the money coming in through that while you build and grow the new business so that it doesn’t feel like pressure and stays a joyful fun experience, and if it doesn’t fly you’ll have something to fall back on while you think of the next business.”
Ms Curry said she put so much positive love, energy, research, effort and time into her business to make it a success.
“I think the fact that as a mum with kids and tech, I saw and experienced first hand, a real problem that effects so many and then created a simple solution that people are truly benefiting from.”
– Kimberley Seedy
Conleth Roche - The Dubliner
Conleth Roche has always seen the hospitality industry as a ticket to ride, and starting at the bottom the best way to get on-board.
The proud owner of Mornington’s only Irish pub — The Dubliner — started out as a part-time kitchen hand in Ireland as a 15-year-old.
He went on to run several hotels and his own restaurant in Ireland before moving to Australia in 2003 with his wife Siobhan and two small children.
“The Melbourne company that had my CV asked if I was interested in working with the Peppers group and that’s how I ended up on the Mornington Peninsula,” Mr Roche said.
After a stint with Moonah Links he moved to the RACV Cape Schanck and managed the resort though a major upgrade that made it the largest of its kind in Victoria.
However despite enjoying the challenges of corporate hospitality Mr Roche said he was always happiest running his own show.
So he left his role and team of 104 staff at Cape Schanck to open The Dubliner in 2017.
“I had been thinking about an Irish pub for Mornington for a while,” he said.
“There are so many expats from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Britain on the peninsula, but at the time no Irish pub.
“I wanted mine to be an authentic Dublin pub; intimate with Irish food and with lots of live Celtic music.”
Keeping staff employed and the Guinness flowing during lockdown required some ingenuity.
“I sponsor two Filipino chefs and they weren’t eligible for Job Keeper so we had to find a way to keep trading to keep them on,” he said.
“A lot of our food works well as a take away, especially the beef and Guinness and chicken and leek pies so and that kept that side of the business ticking over.
“We also organised a take away liquor licence so we could sell trays of Guinness and Kilkenny.”
-Lucy Callander
Simone Hardham - Mindful Makings
A string of shocking incidents led Dingley Village woman Simone Hardham on a quest to make a change.
Seven years ago the mother of one lost her father to suicide, and two years later she witnessed another man take his life in Dandenong.
The Department of Health and Human Services employee was also rocked by the demise of a close acquaintance who fell into depression and ice use.
Ms Hardham, who was recently crowned as the City of Kingston’s woman of the year, has been praised for her efforts in creating the Mindful Makings program – an art therapy class aimed to assist people suffering from or who want to learn more about mental health.
“I do it because I love doing it, it’s not a hobby job … there are many sentimental benefits that come from it,” she said.
The Mindful Makings project was launched six months after the mother of one witnessed the tragic death at Dandenong, and offers creative and meditation classes including woodworking, terrarium making and painting.
“We have quick workshops for people to come in and learn techniques, rather than longer courses as commitment can be a challenging thing for people with mental health issues,” Ms Hardham said.
“You can come in and start doing woodwork purposefully … put everything (in life) aside.
“It’s about practising appreciation and being mindful … don’t look at the past or the future, appreciate now.”
Ms Hardham delivered art packages to participants during the lockdown period, allowing them to continue engaging in the program remotely.
She said she hoped to engage more men in the program over the coming years.
“Men tend not to speak out and catch up with friends because of how we’ve raised them … unfortunately they’re less likely to reach out,” Ms Hardham said.
“We encourage more men to come along, women are also welcome to bring along their husbands, fathers.
“You don’t need to have mental health issues to benefit.”
-Brittany Goldsmith
Brooke Pollock - Arcobar
Live music venues aren’t what they used to be with myriad pubs, clubs and bars closing down over the past few years.
The recent shutdown of the Flying Saucer Club and the regional move of the Caravan Music Club have made it harder for southeast sound lovers to get their aural fix.
But Arcobar co-owner Brooke Pollock is doing her best to keep the sonic spirit alive.
The Heatherton indoor and outdoor venue, situated in a retail and industrial area off of Warrigal Rd, is one of the favourite haunts of many locals.
As well as hosting music during the day and the night it also has a reputation for great food, wine and craft beer.
Ms Pollock said the idea behind Arcobar was to add music as a special ingredient to the entertainment mix.
“Our aim was to bring the community together to enjoy life through our great love of music, food and wine,” Ms Pollock said.
“It enjoys a very loyal following, something that the entire team is very proud of.
“We just want people to have a good time.”
The venue also sponsors local groups, including football, netball and hockey clubs.
– Jon Andrews
The Black family - Sym Scootas
In 1999 Frankston mother of two Kaye Black said there would be a future for scooters in Australia due to rising petrol prices, parking chaos and traffic – and she was right.
Now her family business — Sym Scootas — is pumping out thousands of scooters per year, with delivery drivers and safety-conscious travellers on the rise following the pandemic.
The Black family — Kaye, husband Neil and children Hollie and Tim — moved the business from Mordialloc to a purpose-built, 2000sq m warehouse in Carrum Downs in 2007.
The innovative, multipurpose scooters can reach speeds of anywhere between 50km/h to 120km/h.
“Within two to three years of launching, we were the number one selling brand in Australia and for a little family business to take on the big boys, we were very proud of that,” Hollie Black said.
“We watched the industry grow how mum thought it would, and we continued as one of the leaders in the field.”
Ms Black, who has worked closely with the Australian Motorcycle Advisory Council for more than eight years, said scooters were safer to use compared to cars and bicycles.
“Anyone that has travelled in Europe and Asia will see scooters are the way of getting around …(after COVID-19) people have realised there’s got to be a better way to get around, in a more inexpensive and faster way,” she said.
“You’ve got the step floor and the seated position … if the worst is to happen, you’re better protected.
“You’re able to ride into the city instead of hopping on public transport, parking on the footpath for free … the cost of running and environmental footprint is also minimised.
“You arrive anywhere you go with a smile.”
– Brittany Goldsmith