30 Wide Bay Burnett young entrepreneurs| LIST
The Wide Bay Burnett is exploding with creative, determined rising stars hoping to conquer the world one start-up at a time. Meet 30 of the region’s most successful young entrepreneurs.
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From jewellery makers and private chefs to personal trainers turned gym owners, we’re celebrating some of the young Wide Bay Burnett entrepreneurs taking on the world one new start business at a time.
Find out the secrets to their success and what inspired them to take the leap.
GYMPIE
Tristan Sik, 19
Rainbow Beach’s Tristan Sik created “Sik Ladz Clothing Co.” in 2021, at only 17 years old.
Mr Sik created the brand almost four years on from suffering a severe brain injury after a car collided into his bike, sending him into a 30 day coma.
After years of extensive rehabilitation, Mr Sik created “Sid Ladz” determined to “make his dayz count.”
Mandy Irvine, 38
Multi-faceted business woman, Mandy Irvine, has had an eventful year organising the Gympie Night Markets, launching her business Beehive events and becoming the new manager for the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival in Gympie.
Ms Irvine said her business venture was inspired by the community's perseverance after the floods.
Jazmyn Smith, 28
Young Gympie musician Jazmyn Smith opened her business, Jazmyn Produces, in 2020.
The business has since been nominated for the Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s Small Business Achiever Award.
In only two years, this fledgling creative media business has kicked major goals working exclusively with musicians and artist.
Jarrod, 37, and Lauren Dangley, 38
Jarrod and Lauren Dangley were 31 and 32 years old when the opened their catering and events company Beauty and the Beard eats in 2017.
In 2020, the Dangley’s also opened their own restaurant, The Bunker Smokehouse and Bar, which is located on the corner of Reef and Channon Streets.
Alan Dawes, 32
During the Covid pandemic, award-winning private chef Alan Dawes opened his business, bringing a fine dining experience to homes across the Sunshine Coast.
Mr Dawes relocated from the Sunshine Coast to Gympie, where he now grows his own fresh produce and has expanded his services to the rest of the Wide Bay including the Fraser Coast.
Michaela Dodt, 26
Opening her hairdressing boutique, Bloom Hair Studio, in mid-2022, Michaela Dodt’s business has since gained 1,100 followers on Facebook, and 1,500 on Instagram.
With more than 10 years’ hairdressing experience, Ms Dodt’s lifelong dream of owning her own studio was briefly halted during the Covid pandemic.
Cass Hourigan, 38
The Gympie mother of two long dreamt of owning her own business, so when she saw the ‘for sale’ sign on the Red Hill road store, she knew she found her chance.
Erin Reddan, 33
With more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Erin Reddan opened her own cafe, Swing by, on the corner of Channon and Mary Street, Gympie in early 2022.
“It’s a little a takeaway place, you just swing by, say hello, grab a coffee, something to eat, and then enjoy the rest of your day,” Ms Reddan said.
Erin Dore, 34
Ms Dore always wanted to be her own boss, and said she had put “blood, sweat and tears” into her business.
Petal Head Flower Farm and Florist opened in February 2021.
The business boasts a unique flower farm and florist located in the heart of Gympie.
BUNDABERG
Maddison Devine
Initially intended as a hobby, Maddison Devine officially opened her jewellery business, Jelly Bean Jane and Co, in January 2020.
While her plans were halted during the Covid pandemic, Ms Devine has since gained a 2.5k Facebook following, and 2.3k Instagram following.
Chloe Johnson, 26
Young Childers mum, Chloe Johnson opened her handmade clutch business, Willow and Hide in April, 2019.
“It all happened very organically … finding something for myself to do creatively, led to interest from friends and family,” Ms Johnson said.
Kate Brignull, 35
Bundaberg mum Kate Brignull officially opened her florist, Little Cottage Blooms, in October, 2021.
Living in a low set 1900s worker’s cottage with her husband and two daughters, Mrs Brignull was inspired by the blooming gardens around her property.
“Cottage Blooms has grown from my creative passion for floral design, floristry and all things flowers,” Mrs Brignull said.
Keiarna Seymour, 16
Bundaberg teen Keiarna Seymour opened her home-based business, Cupcakes by K.Rose, almost two years ago, after she turned 15.
Keiarna started to bake with her mum when she was four and has loved it ever since.
“I kind of fell into the business”, she said.
Sara Pegg, 29
Busy mum of two Sara Pegg runs two lash-based businesses in Bundaberg called Sara’s Beauty Boutique and SBS Lash Pro.
Ms Pegg has worked in the beauty industry for more than eight years.
“I have always had a passion for the beauty industry, opening my first home-based nail business in 2014, where I then went onto offering makeup, tanning and lash extensions,” she said.
Rhianna Johnson, 29
Cystic Fibrosis survivor, Rhianna Johnson has owned the Ultra Tune in Bundaberg East, as well as having part ownership of the Bundaberg West store since 2022.
Working at the Ultra Tune store, prior to owning, Ms Johnson wanted to go out on her own because she “wanted people who aren’t all that sure about what is going on with their vehicles to be able to trust that what they’re being told is the truth.”
Rachael Sinclair, 24
After recently opening her Dog training business, Whispering Wolf Dog Training, Rachael Sinclair is feeling hopeful for the future.
A trained vet technician, Ms Sinclair has been working at the Sugarland Animal Hospital in Bundaberg and has decided to split her time between the surgery and her passion for dog training.
“My goal is to eventually be able to devote myself to the dog training business full time.”
Chern’ee Sutton, 26
Proud Kalkadoon woman and contemporary indigenous Artist, Chern’ee Sutton started painting professionally at 13 and since then, has exhibited her artworks all around Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and London, selling her paintings to Collectors all around the world.
Ms Sutton also sells her painting through her website, www.cherneesutton.com.au, alongside her sister Brooke and Brother Jesse, who are also Contemporary indigenous Artists.
Jess Pick, 25
Opening her counselling and psychotherapy practice, Brighter Minds Counselling, in January 2022, Jess Pick is passionate about supporting youth on the journey to positive mental health.
“I actually never envisioned myself owning a business, but I knew that this work is what I wanted to do,” she said.
BURNETT
Lochlan Wiley Barry, 18
A young country go-getter bought his first 16ha property at the age 18 and two years later, has opened a new business in his hometown of Murgon.
Lachlan Wiley, 19, opened Wiley‘s Butchers in February and it’s been a local favourite ever since.
Dylan Divett, 19
Dylan Devitt, 19, from Kingaroy has made a name for himself as an influencer on social media by sharing videos of his impressive BMX riding, interactive vlogs and relatable character.
The daredevil competed at the Nitro World Games and has accrued nearly 6,000 followers.
Elliot Mangan, 31
Owner of Mangan Electrical, Elliot Mangan said owning a business had always been a dream for him, hoping to follow the footsteps of his parents and siblings.
Since starting the business up four years ago, Mr Mangan has completed around 5000 jobs, and gained 1500 customers.
“Mangan Electrical has also been recognised as the highest rated electrical company in the area,” he said
Christian Sutton, 28
Christian Sutton achieved his lifelong goal at only 19-years-old and opened his own 24/7 gym, Conquer in Kingaroy.
With more than 10 years’ experience in personal training, Mr Sutton is passionate about improving the overall health of the community.
He is planning to expand his business across southern Queensland, opening two more gyms in the coming year and hopefully another three after that.
Belinda Lewis, 45
With 15 years’ experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and gym manager, Belinda Lewis opened her first business when she was 29 and has owned more than five businesses since then.
She recently opened a boutique reformer pilates studio on King Street called My Wellness Bar.
“I am very passionate about self care, wellbeing & fitness,” Ms Lewis said.
“In the future, I hope to open more My Wellness Bar studios, across rural areas.”
FRASER COAST
Josh Opie, 32
With 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, and having been the manager of several establishments, Josh Opie decided to buy the Crafty Cargo Taphouse on Truro Street, Hervey Bay, and make it his own.
“As the new owner, I want to give the business a fresh and new healthy face lift, and to consistently evolve with the restaurant,” he said.
Jemima Nash, 33
Jemima Nash always dreamt of owning her own cafe or restaurant, dedicating her entire working life to the hospitality industry, until finally opening her own Mexican restaurant, Tress Salsas, on the Hervey Bay esplanade in December 2018.
“It was the perfect place to set up”, she said.
“I really wanted a place with fantastic food, a relaxed atmosphere and a great vibe.”
Ryder, 19, and AJ Wortley, 14
In 2017, Ryder Wortley started his own bin cleaning business, Down & Dirty Bin Cleaning Service, at only 12 years old.
Since then, the business has expanded, with friends and family getting involved as well.
His brother, AJ, is leading the business now, as Ryder focuses on his future.
Rebeka Walton, 34
Working in the pet grooming industry since she was 18, Rebeka Walton took the leap and started her own salon, Bark Ave Grooming, in November, 2022.
Ms Walton fell into the pet grooming position, after blending the two career tracks of animal care and hairdressing.
“It wasn’t even a career I’d even thought about, but it just seemed to work and I love it,” she said.
Timo van Hest, 28
With more than 11 years’ bar experience, Fraser Coast’s 2021 most favourite bartender, Timo van Hest opened Bar Soma, with co-owner Neil Yates.
The Hervey Bay bar focuses on serving “late-night food” and “quality drinks” with good service, according to Mr van Hest.
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