Watch this space: Women running small businesses we should follow in 2021

It’s been a hard 12 months for small businesses in Toowoomba but that hasn’t stopped these incredible women from starting their own companies.

The last 12 months have been nothing short of a rollercoaster for our local business owners, who have shouldered burden after burden to keep their businesses running, and their customers satisfied.

Every day, new businesses are being discovered, created, and opened by women working to make the lives of those around them better and happier.

Here are just four businesses led by women we should be watching in 2021:

1. Green Bee Communications

Owner: Bianca Coleborn

Bianca Coleborn from Green Bee Communications

Tell us how your business came to be and why the concept is important to you?

My business started in 2020 after people who know me professionally asked me to help them with their marketing.

I honestly had no plans to start a business at the time, but I’m so passionate about marketing that I went for it.

What is the best piece of business advice you have received?

The best piece of business advice I’ve received is: make yourself redundant. If you empower the people around you to do your role, that gives you the opportunity to move upward and onto new and exciting opportunities.

What does it take to be a successful woman in business?

To be a successful businesswoman, you need to embrace the traits of being a woman. We are strong. We are supportive. We are smart. We do not need to try to be men to be successful.

We also need to believe in ourselves and support other women.

2. Bub’s Blends

Owner: Abby Sherrington

Tell us how your business came to be and why the concept is important to you?

My family has been using essential oils for many years. They are most definitely a staple in our household as we have seen the benefits they have first hand.

After starting our own family, we wanted to create an affordable natural alternative to synthetic products that would help mums and dads navigate parenthood and beyond.

That’s where Bub’s Blends was born.

Our essential oil blends are made to order, lovingly hand blended in small batches just for you and your little people.

Safety is important to us and that’s why we have collaborated with a qualified aromatherapist to ensure the blends we have made are of high quality and safe for you and your little one.

What is the best piece of business advice you have received?

The best piece of advice I’ve received is not to give up, don’t take set backs personally and never take no for an answer.

What does it take to be a successful woman in business?

At this stage in my business I find that consistency is key to my success. It takes hard work and dedication in all aspects of my life

3. Antihaste Clothing

Owners: Ana Ott with her husband Stephen

Ana and Stephen Ott from Antihaste Clothing.

Tell us how your business came to be and why the concept is important to you?

We wanted to help people look and feel good in what they wear and to help them navigate their way through our busy modern society, inspiring people to not rush through life.

What is the best piece of business advice you have received?

Stick true to yourselves and your values but be willing to adjust to meet your customers needs.

What does it take to be a successful woman in business?

I think it’s extremely important and valuable to have a good, solid support network around you.

4. The Soap Box Co

Owner: Claire Shum

Claire Shum from The Soap Box Co

Tell me how your business came to be and why the concept is important to you?

In the beginning I saw an opportunity, and wanted to bring fun and joy to families all over Australia, creating crazy coloured bath bombs and soaps.

But now, after a year of loss and heartbreak, I see it differently.

Still aiming to bring joy but in a different way, I want to invest in my customers and draw from the power that is within us to heal and fall in love with life again.

Self care is not an expense but an investment.

Self care is such an important part of loving yourself.

You can’t help others until you help yourself. And I want to teach and help people realise that they are worth investing in.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve received?

Focus.

Don’t get distracted with what others are doing.

Plan ahead and appreciate the small wins.

What does is take to be a successful business woman?

Courage, bravery, persistence, coffee and support.