#embraceequity
special
feature
On Wednesday March 2nd 2023, The Southern Argus newspaper published a special feature to celebrate International Women’s Day, held on Wednesday March 8th.
Complementing two key stories in the newspaper (SEA-ING PINK: Women diving into surf lifesaving and YEAH THE GIRLS: Racing women to the finish line), were multiple articles highlighting local women in business.
Read on to learn about some of the regions ambitious female business owners and their staff.
Raine & Horne
I love being a woman in real estate, especially within our local community. I enjoy having the opportunity to be able to work with local families, friends, groups, and clubs. I am also very grateful I am able to give back to the community.
What does International Women’s day mean to you?
This is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate all women in all countries, all situations, and all that women achieve, from the big amazing newsworthy stories to the little achievements that bring self-satisfaction.
Do you have a motto or goal you strive towards?
Just a general quote that I remind myself of often: ‘Love life and life will love you back!’
What has been the most significant barrier in your career?
Have you been confronted with gender-related roadblocks in your career?
Working in a historically/traditionally male-dominated career since the age of 18, I have experienced some very out-of-date attitudes along the way.
Encouragingly in recent years I have seen a change in some men’s attitudes, however, sometimes it remains up to the women to earn respect which is continual and sometimes draining. Real estate is now changing to a more women-driven industry. I think women bring a different caring and empathetic approach which is being recognised and appreciated.
How do you interpret this year’s theme - Embrace Equality?
This is a fabulous theme – Everyone is equal, none of us are better than the rest, embrace equality at every opportunity – no matter the nationality, status, wealth etc we all have something to contribute, we can all learn from each other.
What mistakes have I made along the way and what have I learnt?
Oh my goodness, I make mistakes everyday – I learn from them and make changes so not to do them again! The only way to learn is to make a mistake, so I must be learning a lot!
What advice would you give the next generation of female leaders?
Be true to who you are and do it with style and confidence! Back yourself and don’t let anyone take your dream. Stay strong, work hard and you will be successful.
Strathalbyn Physiotherapy
What do you enjoy most about your business?
I enjoy meeting different people from our community and treating a diverse range of conditions; musculoskeletal, paediatric bed wetting, pelvic floor and incontinence and exercise-based therapy.
Seeing someone presenting in pain and discomfort and working with them to achieve pain-free movement and improved quality of life is uplifting.
My work in pelvic floor and continence care is truly rewarding. Females do not often talk about the dysfunction and poor quality of life living with incontinence, pelvic pain or prolapse causes them. To educate and improve patients’ health and wellbeing in pelvic floor and to help someone become continent again is life changing for that patient.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspire you and why?
The late Annette Innes from Hahndorf Physiotherapy was my first mentor. Annette continued to nurture my passion for pelvic floor and incontinence physiotherapy, guiding me into further professional development opportunities as well as show casing her own talents as a Tilted Pelvic Floor and Continence Physiotherapist.
Annette built a successful career whilst juggling family life, being an active member of her community and a strong advocate for women’s health.
How do you interpret this year’s theme #EmbraceEquality?
We’re all different because of our unique origins, culture, language, religion, experience, age, gender, sexual orientation, preferences, abilities and values. This diversity doesn’t just exist between cultures, but within cultures, as well as within workplaces, families and the groups and communities we all share.
To #EmbraceEquality we need to value and respect others, encourage diversity, learn and identify that values go well beyond surface differences and embrace the uniqueness within everyone.
How should women support other women in their organisations?
Women have so much to offer our society.
We all have individual strengths and weaknesses. Encouraging other women in their own journey helps to create a stronger, happier, healthier community. When we support and encourage other women around us, either within our home lives or business, amazing things happen!
Strathalbyn Conveyancing
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Strathalbyn Conveyancing was established in 1988 under Chris Rodgers, went through a change of name in 2016 and I took over from Chris in 2018. I have over 15 years’ experience in the Conveyancing industry. Strathalbyn Conveyancing specialises in Residential and Rural property settlements and provides conveyancing services for clients throughout South Australia. My team include two Registered Conveyancers – Wendy and Karen and two Assistants – Sue and Belinda, who are all great women in business.
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
I enjoy providing clients with a smooth and successful settlement for clients throughout South Australia and Australia and even overseas!
Do you have a motto or goal that you strive towards?
Our mission is for our professional team to exceed our client’s expectations every time, with a prompt, precise and stress-free settlement.
To be recognised as an organisation with real people, making a real difference, by supporting and giving back to the local community.
We focus on the individual aspects of our client’s property matter, so they can focus on their future.
Robin Hood Hotel
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Our business is family owned and operated, and as a mother and daughter team we have worked alongside each other for over 15 years in the hospitality industry, with a passion for good food, great atmosphere and fun times, we often have live music and events along with a wide selection of delish meals, local wine and cold beer. Always a good time at The Hood!
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
The amazing community we have created within our business, not only as a staff team but our patrons from far and wide that make everyday a pleasure to come to work.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day provides a great opportunity for all women to recognise, embrace and inspire one and other, business women, young women, mums, grandmothers and all in-between, embracing who we are, what we can do and that positive energy and equity. Yeah the Girls!
PhysiYoga
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Movement is medicine. PhysiYoga’s mission is to help people find joy in easeful movement. Starting as a sole-operator business more than 10 years ago, PhysiYoga has grown to employ a team of 13, assisted by numerous extra support businesses. PhysiYoga was established as a wellbeing space, to combine best-practice Physiotherapy with fun and therapeutic exercises. It is home to clinicians who believe in a compassionate, evidence-based approach that connects people from where they are, to where they want to be.
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
I get to surround myself with amazing team members, that support each other and inspire me. Together we have built something special so that PhysiYoga is bigger than just me – it’s a place where clients come to feel great, and the success stories I see and hear every time I’m here, are the best reward for all the hard work. I’m extremely proud to provide a high-quality service to the local community and surrounding districts as well as providing direct employment for a dozen people and supporting other small businesses.
What mistakes have you made along the way and what did you learn from them?
So many mistakes! I’ve learned to understand that mistakes are proof that you’re having a crack and trying something hard – and that’s how you learn and grow. So, if I’m not making mistakes and failing sometimes, perhaps I’m not pushing myself enough. Now, I try to be as methodical as possible in my approach with new initiatives. I’m also less harsh on myself when I make a mistake. Afterwards, I try to review my own my role in the process and how I could have approached things differently.
Refresh Beauty and Skincare
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Refresh Beauty and Skincare is located right in the heart of historic Strathalbyn with our salon shopfront overlooking the beautiful River Angus and parklands. We specialise in a range of beauty and skincare services including manicures, pedicures, waxing, massage, facials and more as well as stock a wide range of beauty and skincare retail products available in the salon.
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
The thing I enjoy most about my business is getting to meet so many different people, getting to know their stories and most of all being able to pamper them. It’s a nice feeling knowing that people are looking forward to their appointment and leave feeling relaxed after being pampered.
Were you hesitant about going into business?
If so, what were your concerns? How did you overcome these?
I was extremely hesitant about going into business, mainly because of my age. I was 20 years old taking on a business with no business knowledge at all. I am extremely grateful to have such supportive family and friends surrounding me, pushing me to do my absolute best even when I would doubt myself. One person that really helped me overcome my concerns was Amy Robinson, the previous owner of Refresh.
Amy helped make everything as smooth as possible when transitioning ownership of the business. Amy even helped me get started with the bookwork side of things until I felt comfortable enough with everything that she had taught me. Looking back now I am so proud of what I have learnt and achieved in my 1 year of being in business and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me in the future.
Commercial Hotel
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There is no other hospitality like that of a country pub! The Commercial Hotel provides a family friendly pub experience, centred around our locals. Locally owned and operated, supporting locals.
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
I am really inspired by the other local women in business and the camaraderie that brings. Women often don’t like to boast their successes and it’s great to have an extraordinary group of women in Strathalbyn that we can celebrate!
I love that my business brings together people from all different walks of life – we are a family at the Commercial, our team, our patrons and everyone that supports us.
A personal highlight for me was purchasing The Terminus Hotel in Strathalbyn at the end of 2022 – to be responsible for two pubs here in Strath, is an enormous honour.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day to me, is about celebrating women and all their achievements. Business is challenging and I love to see women being celebrated for their career success, but I also think IWD is about women that have faced and conquered adversity in any aspect of their life. Strathalbyn has so many women that are building careers, while they nurture a family, fight for their community and celebrate other women!
appleseed cafe
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appleseed offers coffee, cake, breakfast and lunch with friendly service in a relaxed atmosphere. We have several dining areas and two pet-friendly outdoor courtyards.
Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
To me, ALL women who work in hospitality are an inspiration. In a historically male-dominated industry, there has been a shift in attitude that has largely been led by women, and as we encourage, inspire and hold each other up, we are setting the example for future generations.
How should women support other women in their organisations?
I think that the most important part of being a business owner is leading by example and inspiring others to work hard and support one another. The world places a lot of pressure on women to hold themselves to a high standard at all times.
Too often, girls and women are taught to think of other girls and women as competition or even threats, not as allies. When girls and women are empowered and confident, they can learn how to support one another in ways that encourage and equip, making it more likely that all of them will find success.
Marketing Works
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
I enjoy the variety of work that I do and the amazing people that I meet.
I get to use my skills and knowledge to help others. Marketing Works cuts through the confusion and translates (sometimes confusing) digital technology into a successful website for businesses. We can get a business online with a new website in around 6 weeks.
Were you hesitant about going into business?
If so, what were your concerns? How did you overcome these?
Yes, I was hesitant, and delayed starting my own business, but I spoke to a good friend, who has been in business for over 17 years and she gave me some great advice and the confidence to get started. Thank you, Tracey B! Once I started, I realised very quickly that doing a role as a paid employee and doing the same thing as a business owner were very different.
I went in search of help and have had support from many people who have guided me and provided helpful insights that have allowed me to grow my business, and I continue to work ‘on the business’ as well as ‘in the business’.
Bean Machine
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Lyndall and I took over the business in November 2019.
By February 2020, we were in the throngs of COVID and faced an uncertain future. We had to let go several staff which was one of the worst days in our lives. We then decided to keep going as long as we could. We are so glad we did. The community got behind us and showed its support, so in-turn we try to contribute to the community as much as we can.
We pride ourselves with our homemade cakes (including a wide range of gluten-free options) and make great coffee. Most of our menu items are made onsite, which means no hidden preservatives. It has always been a great meeting place.
What do you enjoy most about your business, or being a woman in business?
We love having the café and enjoy meeting people that come through our doors, and listening to their stories. The opportunity to engage with our customers and provide a service to the community makes us very proud and happy to be able to contribute.
We believe women in business have an amazing can-do attitude which can get them through some tough times.
What has been the most significant barrier in your career?
Have you been confronted with gender-related roadblocks in your career?
When I first started as an apprentice chef (in the ’80s) I was told that women do not make good chefs because they are too emotional and hormonal. Of course, you would not get away with that now, but it just made me more determined to do well and make it my career. Nowadays a lot has changed, but women still have to fight and often prove themselves in the work force. This I do not understand, as women have such a diverse way of thinking to achieve their goal.
Connolly WiLson Conveyancing
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Connolly Wilson Conveyancing provides boutique conveyancing and property services from our Strathalbyn and Murray Bridge offices. We pride ourselves on working with our clients on a personal level to complete their matters and guide them through complex property transactions.
Our team is led by Certified Practicing Conveyancers Trish Connolly and Mel Wilson, who have been highly respected in the profession for over 13 years.
What is one of your personal highlights?
In 2022 we aligned with the charitable organisation Catherine House to support women experiencing homelessness. Catherine House provides emergency accommodation and a range of health and wellbeing services to assist women in re-joining the community and finding permanent housing.
We now proudly donate a portion of our professional fee from every matter we settle, and in December 2022 we reached a milestone of $5000 raised for Catherine House.
How do you interpret this year’s theme #EmbraceEquity?
Equity requires us to provide people with what they need to succeed, rather than just equality. Many working women also carry the heavy mental load and ‘juggle’ of mothering children. We need to honour the enormous value women bring to their workplaces and professions by supporting them emotionally.
We have come a long way in providing equal rights for women in the workplace, but equity at all levels will help keep women in the workplace and also ensure families can meet their own needs and avoid burnout.