Bundaberg mothers who started their own businesses

From party planning to yoga, these are the incredible and vibrant businesses started by Bundaberg mums who decided to make an income that fits with their lifestyle.

Bundaberg mums are putting their energy into their own businesses that both work in with their lifestyles and provide an outlet for their passions.

If there’s one thing Bundaberg has no shortage of, it’s talented businesspeople.

And among those entrepreneurs are a number of mums who’ve decided to carve out their own path that both fits their lifestyle and fosters their passions.

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Leesa Atkinson and Sabrina Shead from Bella Infinity Blooms.

Mum and daughter duo team up on floral masterpieces

Leesa Atkinson and Sabrina Shead are the mother daughter duo behind Bella Infinity Blossoms.

The duo make realistic looking artificial floral arrangements.

“Sabrina and I have come from interesting and diverse backgrounds of which include fashion, styling, interior design and events to name just a few,” Leesa said.

“Driving us has been our ongoing passion and of course encouragement and support from our wonderful family and friends.”

The business has been going strong since it was founded in 2021.

“We started out in our studio at Coral Cove, Bundaberg early 2021 making beautiful realistic artificial flower arrangements for homes and gifts,” Leesa said.

“We also found ourselves receiving requests to design flower arrangements for weddings, funerals and parties. Hand making all our designs. “Bella Infinity blooms prides ourselves on sourcing all our flowers and greenery for the most realistic looking appearance.”

An arrangement from Bella Infinity Blooms.

The duo says they love helping clients with working on unique designs.

Channy Bauer models one of her creations.

Fishing for outdoor fashions

Channy Bauer developed outdoor fashion label Out Wide - The Reckless Crew after struggling to find what she needed on the market.

“I started designing a bit over three years ago after hubby and I couldn't find a fishing shirt small enough for our little one, who loves anything to do with fishing and the ocean,” she said.

“And also at the time it was hard to find a fishing shirt that didn’t have fish on it.

“It has become a family business where hubby and our two kids are involved in also. Hubby Joel Bauer has lived in Bundy his entire life and has always been fishing with his brothers and came up with the name for our business when we were camping at Miara.”

The logo, designed by Mrs Bauer’s best friend’s sister, includes the Burnett Heads lighthouse.

Mrs Bauer says the business continues to find inspiration in Bundaberg’s coastal life.

“We are an online store and recently just supported VMR boating fishing market and the support from all the locals is truly wonderful and cannot wait to be a part of more events in the Wide Bay, “ she said.

“We launched end of March 2022 and it's been an amazing adventure so far.”

Tamar Boas is passionate about teaching yoga.

Yoga classes for the heart and soul

Tamar Boas, or Tami, as she is better known by, was born in Israel but has spent the past 15 years living in and raising a family in Elliott Heads.

“I started my wellness business in 2014, while my children were at kindy and primary school,” she said.

“My main offering was homeopathic consultations and Access Bars sessions.

“In 2017 I trained as a yoga teacher and started running yoga classes in Bundaberg and Elliott Heads.

“My children joined me for classes at times and it was lovely to run some sessions for students and teachers at Shalom College.”

Ms Boas is based in Bundaberg and runs her popular classes from the Pulse Pilates by the Sea studio, upstairs at the Target Arcade.

Ms Boas says her yoga classes are focused on improving nervous system resilience.

“I use slow, gentle, mindful movement to shift the nervous system from the stress response to the relaxation response and give people tools to improve mind-body connection and a sense of wellbeing,” she said.

Rachel Forster-Jones from Sunset Culture.

Beach towels made for the beach

Sunset Culture is a beach towel brand run by mum, Rachel Forster-Jones.

The brand came to life when Rachel decided she wanted to be a stay-at-home mum while also pursuing her dream business.

“My goal is to have an online shop where you can get beach essentials that make beach trips easier and more enjoyable,” she said.

The business started in 2021 and launched in 2022 but after a family tragedy in September that year, Sunset Culture had to go on the backburner.

“After my son River died, I just couldn’t do anything, time felt frozen. But working on Sunset Culture again this year has given me something positive to focus on,” Ms Forster-Jones said.

The concept of the business is sandless, microfibre beach towels with the print inspired by the ocean and designed by Rachel.

The towels are made from 20 per cent recycled plastic and come with a matching water-resistant bag.

“I’d like to expand my product inventory and range from adults to kids, but as any small business owner would know, it’s a slow process that involves a lot of patience,” Ms Forster-Jones said.

The towels can be found online at sunsetculture.com.au as well as at The Beach Mill and The Windmill in Bargara.

Bargara-based swimwear label Tribe Tropical designed an outfit inspired by loggerhead turtle hatchlings, the exclusive pattern raised funds for the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

Tribe Tropical takes off

Bundaberg mum Emily Gradon started Tribe Tropical because she wanted to ensure there were beautiful, colourful sun-safe outfits for kids.

The idea started at her kitchen table led to her winning a design award in 2019 and her enterprise has become so successful she has started setting up bigger facilities for their manufacture.

Designed by a sun-sensitive red-head with first-hand experience with skin cancer, Tribe Tropical are the swimsuits and accessories Ms Gradon wished she’d had growing up in tropical climates.

Ms Gradon’s designs are now sold from Port Douglas to the Gold Coast and she’s even had interest from the Singaporean trade minister.

Mema and Cubs.

Mum uses digital art to help organise life

Mema & Cubs Creations focuses on personalised digital art.

Founder Jemma is a mum of three girls aged 2, 3 and 4.

“I have always loved craft and creating personalised gifts for loved ones,” she said.

“As I started to explore my creativity further, I started playing around with digital art.

“It didn’t take long for my creations to get the attention of my family and friends. It has been fun learning new techniques and bringing people’s visions to reality with my digital prints.”

Jemma loves being able to create custom designs.

“I take pride in what I make for my customers, and my customer’s satisfaction is my top priority,” she said.

Bare by Bauer owners Matt and Candice Bauer appreciate being able to put so much hard work and research into their products

Going chemical free brings success

Bare By Bauer all started when Bundaberg nurse Candice Bauer decided to start living a healthier lifestyle and making healthier skincare products with help from partner Matt.

The business soon expanded into selling teas, natural deodorants, facial serums and a range of reusable and biodegradable beauty accessories.

“Health is not only achieved through the food we eat, but also the air we breathe, the thoughts we think, the friends we surround ourselves with, our environment, the stresses we carry and the products we paint our skin with each day,” the Bauers said.

The business has sold products not just locally, but nationally and internationally.

Kristy Roberts from The Cupcake Girls.

Baking up a success

The Cupcake Girls is the creation of two Bundaberg mums with a passion for baking.

The cupcake story began when owner/operator Kristy-Lee Roberts and her best friend Jess had a fundraiser cupcake stall at the Handmade Markets for their mother‘s group.

After such an overwhelming response to their amazing little cakes, someone asked if they did birthday cakes or catered for functions and without hesitation they said they did and The Cupcake Girls was born.

Kristy-Lee said coming from a big family and living on a property she always did her own baking and have always loved it.

“I have always made my children's’ birthday cakes each year which always resulted in friends and family asked me to make cakes for them because I was well taught as my grandma used to win best sponge cake in the show every year,” she said.

Bundaberg businesswoman Rebecca Corbett.

Business coach helping others succeed

Bundaberg mum Rebecca Corbett is a “a no-nonsense, anti-fluff bookkeeping specialist, ready to help you increase productivity and kick goals”.

She even runs her own podcast on helping businesses succeed.

Ms Corbett spent 15 years in the business world, creating two successful businesses of her own and has helped more than 700 others flourish.

It was when she decided to have children that she wanted to tackle the challenge of working and raising a family by starting her business.

Working as a business specialist, the CEO offers strategic planning sessions to clients and helps to set up sustainable practices to pre-emptively avoid owners from experiencing unwanted stress or burning out.

Jule Nash from Stuff n Candles. Julie is a Bundaberg woman who started her own crafty business and even runs workshops.

Julie’s lighting her own path

Mum Julie Nash runs Stuff N Candles, a business named by her children.

“I’m a lover of all things handmade,” the maker of candles and homewares says.

“The first thing I started making was pillar candles back in 2013 as it was something I had been wanting to create and everything else has evolved from there.

“I get inspired by the nature walks I take, the surroundings that I’m around and the places I visit.”

Ms Nash’s range includes soy candles, unique coffee pillars with real coffee beans, reed diffusers, hand soaps, kokedamas, clay gift tags, macrame and more.

She also offers kokedama and macrame workshops.

“Being that this is my full-time job I absolutely love the people you meet and the places it takes you, the flexibility and also the freedom,” she said.

“I love being around people but also very happy in my own surroundings.”

Jodie Saint and husband Mark.

Sweet business keeps buzzing

Jodie Saint is one half of Meant to Bee Tranquil Apiaries.

Along with partner Mark, she has taken her love of nature to the max by making it her job.

The local service offers pure honey, delicious honeycomb and pollination services.

In 2022, the business started running workshops for kids, assisted families in starting their own hives and was featured in Her Umbrella Magazine.

Bundaberg local Brittany Irons started her own business making a range of aromatherapy products from natural ingredients.

Business is the bomb for Bundy mum

Britts Candle & Melt Co owner Brittany Irons was determined to be a positive influence on her son when she started her own business selling delightful bath and home products.

She wanted to create something special that would inspire her son to grow into the very best version of himself after he was born premature at just 1kg.

Ms Irons is a regular face at local markets and sells her goods online.

“My friend got me into making the candles and then I started looking at bath products too,” she said.

“I wasn't really feeling like my happy self, so I started creating these products to put myself back in my own element, but then I fell in love with it and the business happened from there.”

Chloe Johnson wears many hats and is a well respected local businesswoman.

Clutch business grows following

Chloe Johnson is a young woman who wears many hats, as owner of Willow and Hide, president of the Isis Show Society and facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program.

Her handmade clutch business has grown a loyal following.

“It all happened very organically … finding something for myself to do creatively, led to interest from friends and family,” she said.

She now runs the business full time, and travels across outback Australia offering workshops for rural women to experience making their own clutches.

She also runs regional events as part of her role at the show society.

“I thought to myself ‘Childers can’t not have a show’ so I went along to a meeting and walked out as president,” she said.

Lindsey Hurley loves baking bespoke bikkies.

Bikkies that might make nan blush

Lindsey Hurley from Caneland Cookies says you may see some naughty items and cheeky words on her creations, but it’s all a part of the fun.

“I ooze sarcasm and swear words and do not make any attempt to hide that on my social media feeds, so consider this your warning,” she says.

“I have worked hard over the years to learn different decorating techniques and to perfect my recipes and pride myself on how delicious my cookies are.

“You‘ll see a lot of genitalia cookies, probably some words that would make your nan blush, but I am capable of toning it down when needed.”

Some of the bright creations from Golly Gumdrops.

A little Golly Gumdrops goodness

Peita Parsons knew she wanted to utilise her creative side in supporting her family.

That’s where the idea for Golly Gumdrops was born.

“I guess every business starts with an idea and for me it was driven by a love for exploring my creative side and the desire to help support our family financially as well as the need for social interaction after having my daughter,” she said.

Peita Parsons.

“As I am now working two, or let‘s say three jobs if you include parenting, I am definitely still finding that work/life balance but still enjoying the opportunities that running a small side biz can bring.

“I hope in future to find a good balance between the three jobs and continue to provide a little joy to those who love to accessorise with a little Golly Gumdrops goodness.”

Gooburrum Grove's citrus wheels are a big hit.

Sweet success from tangy fruit

Gooburrum Grove is a magical little farm in Bundaberg that grows Tahitian limes and caretakes honey bees.

Rail Coffison is one half of the operation, along with husband Will.

When they bought land, they inherited 500 Tahitian lime trees, with delicious dry lime slices available in speciality stores across the region.

Jo Goodwin and daughter Zahlee.

Bath business is big business

If you've noticed very cute bath bombs and accessories around Bundy that smell amazing then you’ve probably encountered Zalicious Scents.

Bundy mum Jo Goodwin started the business after the store she bought her wax melts from closed down.

The business just keeps on growing, offering fragrant and colourful bath products online and in select stores.

“We get an awful lot of orders that go all over Australia,” Ms Goodwin said.

“We’re quite surprised, we’re doing very well.”

Borch Babez Designs makes bespoke clothes for bubs.

Bespoke baby clothes

Kirsty Jennings started sewing when her daughter was about one and finds herself filling her spare time sewing for both her family and for clients.

Finding it hard to find the clothes she wanted, she started making her own, including matching outfits for siblings.

With a son and daughter, she often makes matching items in the same fabric with a different colour.

With only two days a week free for her side business, Ms Jennings often also finds herself busy sewing into the night.

Some of Rosalee’s creations.

Getting crafty pays off

Rosalee Morris has always had a love of craft, starting her business about eight years ago after a friend suggested she make her passion her profession.

“I just love making things,” she said.

“Sewing, crochet, knitting, weaving.”

She sells her products through Etsy, some local shops and markets.

Ms Morris says the crochet she produces for her “little side hustle” is different to the old world crochet, focusing instead on bright, big designs.

Ms Morris has also found a way to make her business sustainable, using leftover TV shirt from the textile industry and Australian cotton cord from fashion leftovers.

Kristielle Amy Studios is now based in Bundaberg.

Photography business takes off

Kristielle from Kristielle Amy Studios is a new addition to town.

Kristielle ran her business in Victoria for seven years before deciding on a sea change and moving to a 20-acre riverfront property near Bundaberg.

“This gave me the opportunity to design and create the photography studio that I‘ve always dreamt of,” she said.

“Styled in a natural, boho theme, I‘ve surrounded myself with beautiful things to inspire my creativity.

“I even have a gorgeous eight-acre field on my property to use for outdoor ‘golden hour’ sessions!

“I’m living the life of my dreams.”

Kristielle says it‘s all about remembering the little moments in life.

“As we go about our lives, we promise ourselves we’ll always remember the special little moments… but time slows for no one, and before we know it, our babies are off to school, and then leaving home. That’s why I love what I do,” she said.

“Photographing the beautiful moments, from glowing, growing pregnancy bumps to newborn babes and growing families, is so special to me. I capture memories that my clients treasure forever.”

Kristielle said it was important to be true to herself in all she does.

“Having my own business is such a positive aspect of my life, and it really has become an integral part of who I am,” she said.

“I can work and pursue my passion while still being available for my own young family (my other passion).

“Both of my boys are in primary school now and I love that I’ve had the flexibility with my schedule to be available for them.

“From special moments like school awards ceremonies and sports carnivals, to medical appointments and sick days, I’ve managed to make it all work.

“It does mean working some crazy hours to keep on top of the editing workload, but for me, that trade-off has been 100% worth it.”

Kristielle is proud of the many hats she wears.

“I’m a mama, a wife, a photographer, and a business owner,” she said.

“I’m beyond proud of what I’ve been able to achieve in my career, and I’m excited for what my future in Bundaberg will bring.”

Kellie Williams runs Agape support services.

Supporting others a rewarding career

Kellie Williams, a Bundaberg mum of two, decided to set up her own business as an NDIS provider.

“I’m not sure I really chose to start my own business – it seemed like the natural next step in the journey,” she said.

“I had been working as an employee in the health industry for many years. ”When my hours were reduced drastically, it seemed like the most sensible solution.”

Mrs Williams said setting up Agape support services was a bit scary, but things came together.

“It was frightening at first, but I had the support of a few close friends who were my cheerleaders in the early months,” she said.

“Once I gained momentum, it felt like the right fit for me.

“Starting my own business has meant that I have a lot more time for my family without the guilt of feeling like I should be at work.

“I have been able to nurture supportive relationships with my family because I can spend unhurried time with them.

“It has also meant that I have been able to balance my hours with studying my Bachelor of Health Science which is more difficult to do in formal employment.”

Mrs Williams said her clients also benefitted from using her services as a sole trader.

“NDIS participants who use sole traders can trust that who they are hiring is who they are getting on each occasion of service provision,” she said.

“It gives them a greater sense of control about who is on their team and how they work with their supports.

“It has also meant that I can add to the type of service I provide as I feel comfortable, giving the clients more choices.”

Mrs Williams said the industry has its challenges, but it‘s something she loves to do.

“Working as an NDIS provider can be challenging because you need to stay abreast of all the regulations to be able to offer safe, quality services,” she said.

“With no one to provide you with that supervision and free training, it is something to intentionally commit to learning and doing.

“Many people in health and human services struggle with the administrative side of running a business, but these days there are many programs available to make life a little easier.”

Mrs Williams said it was a matter of seeking out support when needed.

“It is worthwhile investigating what support is out there to help you as the sole trader make your business run smoothly,” she said.

Originally published as Bundaberg mothers who started their own businesses