Women In Business Feature

WOMEN in

Business

WOMEN in Business Sisters are doing it for themselves in North-West Brisbane (and Australia wide!), with a record number of women running their own small businesses.

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show 12.1 per cent of the nation’s 5.9 million employed woman are now their own boss.

More than a third of all small businesses are headed by women, and there’s a blooming world of networking, blogs and entrepreneurial women taking advantage of the trend.

‘If you look at women in particular they are more formally educated and moving into their family forming years in their 30s, and they have invested more to prepare themselves, with more education, so they want to make sure they can continue a burgeoning career,’ social demographer Mark McCrindle said.

In this feature, we are celebrating twelve incredible local businesswomen who have taken a leap of faith and are making a name for themselves in small business.

From dentists to drama teachers, all these ladies are from truly diverse industries.

We have also compiled an online ‘Mini Mag’ that contains all the ladies from edition one of this feature (that was in 2017!) to this current edition, so head online to have a read www.hillsecho.com/women-in-business

GENTLEMEN

It’s Your Turn Next!

The Hills Echo will be publishing a MEN In Business feature in the upcoming JULY edition.

This feature will follow the same layout as this Women In Business feature.

Spots are limited!

For more information contact katie@hillsecho.com Ph: 0447 963 577

Margaret Treuel

Principal O‘Grady Drama Brisbane North

Annika Helms

Deputy Principal O‘Grady Drama Brisbane North

Principal, Margaret Treuel, founded O’Grady Drama Brisbane North in 1992 and has helped develop thousands of confident, happy and future ready students during that time. Since then, Margaret’s daughter Annika, has joined the team and has been teaching for seven years and is also the Deputy Principal.

Margaret and Annika are truly dedicated to delivering a fun and dynamic drama programme that spans the 13 years of a child’s schooling life. Children can begin in Prep and continue until the end of secondary school without repeating a lesson! Drama lessons include speech, movement and creative improvised drama.

Students also participate in an end of year production which is lots of fun. In addition, classes give children of all ages the chance to develop confidence, public speaking and performance skills, leadership and teamwork skills, friendships, social skills and resilience.

3353 0555 www.hillsecho.com

www.ogradydrama.com.au

With their regular face to face classes having to be temporarily suspended due to the COVID 19 crisis, the duo were keen to keep our local kids confident, creative and connected throughout this stressful time. With this in mind, they assisted with the development of brand-new online classes called “Inter-ACT Online”. Each class consists of; • Weekly guided web-based video presentations • Supportive complementary downloadable lesson plans • A weekly interactive Zoom lesson with both Margaret and Annika O‘Grady Drama will be continuing with Inter-ACT Online classes until they can safely recommence the weekly face-to-face drama lessons at their Albany Creek, Arana Hills, Bracken Ridge, Caboolture, Geebung, Kallangur and Strathpine premises.

brisbanenorth@ogradydrama.com.au The Hills Echo, June 2020 - Page 23

WOMEN in Business

Alexandra Davies Dentist, Admire Dentistry Family Clinic

Admire Dentistry in Arana Hills is where you will find Dr Alexandra Davies.

Alex found her love for Dentistry while being mentored

by Dr Ed Tucker at his dental practice in Samford. When she graduated from Dental School she was lucky enough to be offered a job with the practice.

In 2018 Alex began locum work in Biloela, she enjoys it out there and continues to fly out 1 week a month.

Late 2019 saw Alex make a big decision to embark on a new chapter. She always dreamt to one day own her own practice, and in May 2020 this became reality. This new adventure has brought Alex to Arana Hills where she has opened a brand new dental practice she is proud to call her own.

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Alex loves her profession. It can be challenging at times but also extremely rewarding. She loves meeting new people and is fond of all her patients. While she excels in all fields of dentistry, she particularly enjoys Endodontics and Oral Surgery in addition to a newfound love of Facial Aesthetics (anti-wrinkle and filler).

Alex values honesty and transparency when it comes to her patient‘s treatment needs and values working with other allied health professionals.

Alex loves to keep fit and healthy with friends. She has a horse, 2 dogs and is excited to be introducing 2 mini Galloway steers to the family.

www.admiredentistry.com.au

info@admiredentistry.com.au

Wendy Burns Life and Business Coach & Author of Remarkable You Wendy Burns is a wife, mother and grandmother living in Queensland, Australia. From being born into impoverished circumstances, Wendy has become an author, inspirational speaker, and life and business coach – working with women to reveal the remarkable within. Self, team and business leadership are also some of her many areas of expertise.

You will find out more about Wendy’s journey in her book ‘Remarkable You – A Journey to Discover Hope Within.’

Wendy believes every one of us is remarkable, but we often cannot see it in ourselves. Her passion is to empower people to become as remarkable as they were created to be; to reveal that vein of gold, then to take the intentional action needed to mine that gold!

Wendy has shared the stage with some of the most influential leaders in the world, inspiring humanity to reach their potential by taking every opportunity to grow others

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and herself through her commitment to growth and action.

She believes in lifelong learning, that we are never to young to begin and never too old to start this journey.

Wendy has helped many people experience extraordinary breakthroughs with her unique ability to press into and challenge an individual’s belief system, enabling them to unshackle, reveal and enable their most remarkable selves.

She gets great joy from empowering others to open the door to a greater capacity by realising their full potential.

In 2013, Wendy joined the John Maxwell University (JMT), where she serves as Peer Teaching Partner and Chair on the President’s Advisory Council for JMT. By the invitation of the President of Paraguay in 2016, Wendy joined John Maxwell bringing transformational change to the nation.

To find out more about Wendy, including her book ‘Remarkable You’ visit the links below.

www.wendyburnsconsulting.com.au

Page 24 - June 2020 The Hills Echo

in/wendy-burns-a27a704b/ www.hillsecho.com

Hayley Crisafio Owners Blackwood Café & Espresso Bar, Mitchelton & FERNY‘s Café & Espresso Bar, Ferny Grove

Jaimi Wilson In 2015, after visiting the Gold Coast and falling in love with their dream of owning a café on the strip, Hayley (30years) and Jaimi (32 years) made the impulse decision to move over to Brisbane from Perth. 4 years later, the girls now have 2 booming, suburban, high-volume cafes nestled amongst the tree-lined streets of Brisbane’s North West suburbs – Mitchelton & Ferny Grove.

When the opportunity of purchasing the old Geronimo Jerky site in Mitchelton arose, it was a no-brainer! With fresh eyes and a determined attitude, they took over the café side of the business. Despite having an extremely low budget, they managed to pull off their first ever café renovation over the Christmas period of 2016. Imagine Channel 9s The Block, but with little to no money, no prizes, and no fame! Fast forward 3 years, a lot of 7-day work weeks, 3am alarms and some tough lessons learnt along the way, they managed to build Blackwood Café & Espresso Bar (Blackwood Café) up from the ground and into one of the most popular cafés on Blackwood Street.

Originally seating around 50 people at capacity, it now seats 138 people and will regularly fill to capacity for hours on end during breakfast & lunch services!

As Blackwood Café & Espresso Bar settled into its important role in the community as the local go-to coffee shop, the processes and team settled in, too. With a glimpse of spare time on the horizon, the girls decided it was time to kickstart a second venture. Having driven past the old Poshamocha site in Ferny Grove countless times, they were certain that it would make the perfect spot to establish their brand! Word travels fast in the ‘hospo’ world, so when Poshamocha went up for sale in November 2019, the pair acted fast! 6 short weeks later (plus yet another Christmas renovation), the newly opened FERNY’S Café & Espresso Bar was opened!

With the locals, FERNY’S was a HIT! The Social Media hype alone leading up to launch date was bigger than that of Blackwood Café’s—even after 3 years of strong and successful trade. Hayley and Jaimi knew this cafe was destined to be a winner before it opened its doors;

Ferny Grove Shopping Village, 51 McGinn Road, Ferny Grove

FERNYSCAFE www.fernyscafe.com www.hillsecho.com

both of their cafes shared the same model with similar menu offerings and delicious & locally branded coffee (Thank you Elixir Coffee in Stafford). However, for this very reason, it was important that FERNY’S developed its own personality. With the newly renovated space fostering a white-panelled, country-modern ambiance, warm teak wood features, plenty of greenery and the beautiful outdoor decking space, it was now set to launch.

And boy oh boy did it take off! The locals of Ferny Grove & Upper Kedron became regulars in no time – it was as if the café had always been there.

Hayley and Jaimi believe that building a strong, sizeable team is the key ingredient in their recipe for success. With 50+ local employees working in the stores combined, their team has helped to grow and create little hubs in the community. Around 50% of their team are enthusiastic, career-minded hospitality workers who are cherished for their exceptional skills as baristas and/or chefs, whilst the other 50% are juniors and trainees who are hired through annual employment drives at the local high schools. These 2 cafes have been the home of dozens of teenagers “first jobs” and “first paid shifts”; the girls couldn’t be prouder!

Regularly, patrons will comment on how many staff will be working at any one time. Hayley and Jaimi have always been passionate about great service. Hospitality is a competitive market, and one of their biggest goals in making a name in the industry was to ALWAYS have fast, efficient service! It’s not a surprise to see up to 16 busy bees working at once during weekends, zipping around the cafés to ensure their customers recieve the best service possible.

Hayley and Jaimi don’t often get the luxury of having free time on their hands, but when they do, they love spending time with their 2 dogs, Houdini & Optimus, either heading down to local dog parks or the Bunya watering hole. If they are ever rewarded with a few consecutive days off, you’ll find them down at the Goldie by the ocean – the place that inspired their business dreams to begin with.

Blackwood Café & Espresso Bar, 32 Blackwood St, Mitchelton blackwoodespressobar www.blackwoodespressobar.com

The Hills Echo, June 2020 - Page 25

Doctors at Eatons Hill is a family orientated bulk billing general practice that is dedicated to providing the highest level of care to its patients. The clinic currently has a total of five GP’s, two full time nurses and two friendly receptionists.

Book online or call the friendly staff to make your appointment.

Shop 2, Eatons Hill Shopping Village, 1 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Eatons Hill www.imsg.net.au/doctors-eatons-hill 07 3325 5999

Dr. Sophie Brown

General Practitioner Doctors at Eatons Hill

Dr Sophie Brown joined the team at Doctors at Eatons Hill in December 2019, having moved from the U.K. to Australia with her family.

Sophie completed her medical training in the U.K, qualifying with a medical degree from the University of Sheffield in 2008. She then went on to complete two years of hospital placements in Bristol before embarking on specialists training in General Practice. She became a fully qualified General Practitioner in June 2014.

Sophie is a true generalist and brings to the practice a total of ten years experience, with five of those working in General Practice. She has completed hospital posts

in a variety of sectors including Care of the Elderly, Dementia Care, ENT, Renal Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Gynecology. Additionally, whilst in Bristol ,she also spent eight months working in Palliative Care in a local hospice.

Sophie is integrating into life in Australia with her husband and two young children. They enjoy spending time exploring the local area and further afield.

Sophie has a warm and welcoming attitude and hopes to form long-term relationships with her patients and their families. She currently works four days a week making her accessible to current and new patients.

Dr.Gabriela Popa General Practitioner Doctors at Eatons Hill In late March, this year dedicated GP, Gabriela Popa, joined the expert team of General Practitioners at Doctors at Eatons Hill.

She arrived in her new home of sunny Queensland with her husband and young daughter in February, and the family settled into the lovely neighborhood of Eatons Hill, where she enjoys working and living.

Gabriela possess a warm, approachable nature which she believes is important when nurturing long-term relationships with her patients. She aims to provide the best care, balancing a strong ethical, evidence-based medicine practice in a candid, professional manner along with being supportive of patient goals to achieve their personal health goals.

She was born in Romania and graduated from the Medical school of Romania in 2000. Gabriela continued Page 26 - June 2020, The Hills Echo

her studies and became a specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine.

In 2007, she and her husband decided to move to New Zealand. There, she tenaciously started over in a new medical system and culminated with becoming a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of GP in 2019. Gabriela went on to embrace a variety of roles which included working in an aged care facility, usual GP surgery and she was one of the doctors at a boarding school. This has prepared her to deal with all ages of patients, from the newborn to the elderly.

Gabriela is equipped with a plethora of special interest areas such as womens, adolescent and childrens health, mental health, skin cancer checks, musculoskeletal conditions and chronic disease management.

In her spare time, Gabriela enjoys going to the beach, watching movies or reading, painting and art crafting. www.hillsecho.com

WOMEN in Business

Fiona Holmstrom

Co-founder, STEM Punks

The mission of STEM Punks is to ‘inspire tomorrow’s innovators’. Co-founder Fiona Holmstrom, commenced the EdTech startup in her garage in 2016 alongside husband Michael, while caring for three children under four and studying full time at Uni.

Women in STEM are hugely inspirational. Speaking with US Astronaut, Michaela Musilova, live last week was a highlight of STEM Punks’ Live Broadcasts.

One of the biggest achievements of running STEM Punks was winning the Telstra Business Award last year.

As a woman in business, she says inclusivity and diversity are critical factors in running a successful company. Input from everyone is important, too, as teamwork plays a huge role in the direction of the business.

“It made such a positive impact to our business growth. We have parents from all over the world signing up to online classes for their children, and watching our live broadcasts every week,” said Fiona.

STEM Punks offers online classes to both kids at home and teachers in schools. There’s Coding, Drones, Robots, 3D Printing and Design, Space, Rockets, and much more. School holiday online classes will feature Innovation & Entrepreneurship programs.

07 3289 5092

www.stempunks.com.au

hello@stempunks.com.au

Katie Maclean

Publisher The Hills Echo Community Newspaper

Mother of two and community advocate, Katie Maclean, has been the driving force behind the locally owned and independent newspaper, The Hills Echo, for the past three years.

Born and bred in Scotland, Katie moved to Brisbane 15 years ago. Here, she settled down with her hubby, her two young children and stepson. As a fellow local to The Hills District, Katie ‘LOVES’ the tight knit neighbourhood and the welcoming sense of community it has to offer.

So much so, she turned celebrating its silver linings into the heart of her career!

With a background in country newspapers, glossy magazines, as well as experience in media, publishing and digital publishing, The Hills Echo was the perfect fit for Katie.

0447 963 577 www.hillsecho.com

www.hillsecho.com

Professional, reliable, approachable are but a few business attributes Katie possesses. However, it is her passion-driven mindset that has evolved The Hills Echo into a publication that is engaging and interacting more with the younger generation, a rarity in today’s society.

The Hills Echo has been in circulation for 28 years and Katie continues to embrace the much-loved traditions of the paper. The newspaper has plenty in store over the next 12 months and with Katie behind the wheel, it’s sure to continue the paper’s already thriving success and give confidence to local businesses and the community that the paper is here to stay!

admin@hillsecho.com

thehillsecho

The Hills Echo, June 2020 - Page 27

Karen Marlow Real Estate Specialist Professionals Priority Ferny Hills

We all know how much real estate agents like to talk about themselves! When I sat down to write this article, I thought how unfair it would be to subject you to an entire page doing just that. So instead I decided to ask people what they want to know about me. Grab a cuppa and enjoy the read, and if there’s anything else you want to know, give me a call…

How long have you been in real estate?

I started selling off-the-plan developments in 2010. It was pretty boring sitting in a sales office all day and I wasn’t satisfied with the work. From there, I moved into residential sales in the Burpengary/Morayfield area (we had moved to be closer to my partner’s work) and I instantly felt I was doing exactly what I was meant to do. When we moved back to our Ferny Hills home, I joined the team at Professionals Priority and have been loving it even since.

What do you like most about your work?

That’s a tough question to answer. I love getting out and meeting people, learning about their plans and seeing if I can help. Setting up and managing campaigns is a lot of fun because each listing and client is different. It takes a tailored approach to get the desired result and keep things as easy as possible for my clients. Negotiating on behalf of my clients is great because it causes me to ask a lot of questions to better understand the dynamics.

Selling and buying property can be stressful; I aim to make it as easy as possible for everyone. I guess the thing I get a real kick out of though, is the delight that people show on settlement day. That’s why I do what I do.

What’s the worst part of your job?

Real estate is an industry full of rejection. It consumes a lot of energy, physical and emotional. There are endless phone calls, meetings, emails and messages at all hours.

Realistically, those things aren’t difficult for me because most people are genuinely nice. What really gets to me is when I come across rude people. It doesn’t happen often, and I’ve learned to walk away – decline the business and move on. I give people the benefit of the doubt and hope they are just having a bad day.

How many sales do you do?

The number of sales each year varies for reasons within and outside of my control. The flexibility that real estate offers means I can choose how many listings I accept.

On the other hand, the market can be unpredictable influencing sales volume. Over the past 5 years I’ve averaged 20 sales per year.

What did you do before?

I was a project manager/management consultant, helping organisations improve their processes and systems. That involved setting up and managing projects and project teams and analysing business processes. I often led negotiations for multi-million dollar contracts.

Does your prior job help you in real estate?

Yes. Every listing is like a project; we need a clear objective - an understanding of my clients’ current situation and a plan to get them to where they want/ need to be. A key part of negotiation is understanding each party. That takes a lot of information gathering, and respectful, honest conversations. It’s common for buyers and sellers to think of negotiation in the same way you’d haggle over the price of a knock-off watch or handbag in a Bali market. We’re talking about people’s livelihoods – enabling them to move on to wherever they need to go.

That’s not to be taken lightly.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me. If you’re wondering what my recent clients have to say, here’s a few words from them…

“Karen made me feel at ease and confident” Judith “Working with our family and getting results” Kevin and Corinne “She brought such a sense of calmness to selling our house” Robyn and Shane “I am pleased I made the right choice in appointing her” Saras “We knew she was good but she proved she was better” Peter and Karen “An excellent and supportive experience” Stephen and Jane

0411 033 892

karen@professionalspriority.com.au 5/126 Ferny Way, Ferny Hills Page 28 - June 2020, The Hills Echo

www.hillsecho.com

Susanne Jones Managing Director Just Better Care Brisbane North and CBD Longtime local, Susanne Jones, began her caring career in the UK and Europe and has pursued that passion ever since.

After spending time leading teams and managing operations in the not-for-profit sector, Susanne discovered Just Better Care. She worked to establish the business in the Brisbane North, Outer North, and CBD areas, taking over as Managing Director nearly 5 years ago.

Since this time, Susanne has organically grown the business and built a solid local presence by ensuring the provision of high quality in-home aged care and disability support services.

With local offices strategically located in Kallangur and Gaythorne, both employing a local team of skilled carers, Just Better Care Brisbane North and CBD is well located to assist older people and people with disability in our community to live a full, connected and independent life.

Susanne is meticulous about the services provided by herself and her team, and she ensures that they are tailored to each individual and their unique needs. She is grateful to be part of each client’s journey.

Services offered by Susanne and her team include: Aged Care – As an approved Age Care Provider, Susanne and her team are passionate about helping older people maintain independence, quality of life, and stay living at home for as long as possible.

Whether you just need assistance every now and then, or you want something more long-term, Susanne’s friendly and experienced team will be there to support you.

This could include helping you with writing shopping lists, accompanying you to the supermarket, or for more complex needs we have professional nurses (registered and enrolled) who are skilled and experienced in providing treatment in the home.

Disability Support – Whether it’s providing assistance around the home, offering companionship, helping you attend work or training, or providing support for you to

attend social outings, we do all we can to to support your choices to live the life you want.

We can provide a range of services based on what you, or your loved one, wants or needs, and can assist you occasionally, or as often as you’d like.

Our Community Support Professionals are experts in their field and are passionate about getting to learn more about what matters to you.

We support people from diverse backgrounds and with different lifestyles and personalities, with a wide range of needs.

As a registered NDIS provider we can also assist with NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management.

Social and Lifestyle Support – Getting out and about is a big part of life, and our team can support you in being part of the activities and events that matter to you.

We offer a range of services, from companionship to transport, to helping you attend work, volunteer commitments, social outings, family gatherings, recreational activities, community events, and more.

Talk to us today Susanne’s professional team, based right here in the Brisbane North, CBD and Outer North communities has seen first-hand how the right support and a strong community can change lives – for our customers and their families.

We love living and working in Gaythorne, Kallangur and surrounds, and we provide a range of services to help older people and people with disability in our community to live a full, connected, and independent life.

Whether it’s helping with everyday tasks around the home, offering support to get out and about, providing nursing or personal care, or offering respite care for carers, we can deliver customised support services that’s right for you or your loved one.

Simply let us know what you need and we will prepare a plan that suits.

07 3056 0777

mailbn@justbettercare.com

1/454 Samford Rd, Gaythorne and 1425 Anzac Ave, Kallangur

www.hillsecho.com

The Hills Echo, June 2020 - Page 29

Tahnee Simpson

Pharmacist Owner, TerryWhite Chemmart Keperra Compounding Pharmacy

Despite it being as old as medicine itself, the art of compounding is still not well understood. Put simply, compounded medications are created just for you right in the pharmacy and tailored for your unique circumstances.

As the owner of Terry White Chemmart Keperra Compounding Pharmacy, located in Keperra’s Dallas Parade retail hub, Tahnee Simpson believes in the potential of individualised medicines to positively impact even the most complicated conditions and their power to make a real difference in people’s lives.

“Everyone is different and everyone experience illness in different ways. Compounded medications offer a way to make sure your unique needs are catered for in a safe, quality-assured way,” Tahnee says. “We can provide people with cutting-edge treatment options when other treatments may have not been effective. We make

3355 3905

medications just for you.” This individualised approach extends to Tahnee’s free one-on-one menopause consultation service for women, which is a unique opportunity to book a 15-minute consultation to discuss how new treatments might dramatically improve your quality of life.

Tahnee is a passionate advocate for community health and wellbeing, women’s issues, and your family’s health needs, and has been serving the hills district and surrounding suburbs since 2013.

Tahnee is a mum to three primary school-aged children and is a wealth of knowledge on kid’s health and nutrition.

Call 3355 3905 and talk to Tahnee about family healthcare, menopause, and how compounded medications could make a difference to you.

www.compundingpharmacy.com.au

info@compoundingpharmacy.com.au

YOU’RE UNIQUE. YOUR MENOPAUSE TREATMENT SHOULD BE TOO. Our team take time to understand YOUR unique symptoms so we can work with a doctor to help find the solution that works for your body.

Book a free consultation at compoundingpharmacy.com.au/menopause

that’s real chemistry Tahnee Simpson - Pharmacist

Keperra Compounding Pharmacy 10 Dallas Parade, Keperra P: 07 3355 3905 www.compoundingpharmacy.com.au Page 30 - June 2020, The Hills Echo

OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm Saturday: 8.30am to 12pm NOW OPEN SUNDAY 9am - 1pm www.hillsecho.com

2019

WOMEN in Business

‘More than just bookkeeping’ Est. 1993

Kerrie Lucy Business Owner/Director Bookkeeping Plus

Bookkeeping Plus has been servicing the local, and surrounding areas for over 26 years.

Business owner Kerrie Lucy, a mum of 2, originally set up her business from her home office, whilst pregnant with her first child, to allow a balance between work and family. Kerrie’s business is thriving and now services a client base of over 100.

She prides herself, and her team of Bookkeepers, on professionalism, knowledge and long term working relationships.

The Bookkeeping PLUS team all have considerable experience with bookkeeping and Administrative services. They can take care of a multitude of tasks including; Bookkeeping, Accounts, Payroll, Superannuation, GST, BAS, Catch up Work, MYOB & XERO tuition, Data Health check (ensure your reports have a true meaning), and so much more.

0408 950 700

Kerrie also stresses that, with the new payroll laws being implemented on the 1st July, it is essential that businesses remain compliant. If you need some help with this contact Kerrie today.

Bookkeeping Plus also offers a flexible monthly fee – all inclusive; Weekly / Monthly / Quarterly, Bookkeeping and Year End Procedures. You will be pleasantly surprised at how little it may cost to maintain your books in its entirety.

“You won’t be disappointed at the personalised service, tailored to your business, along with confidentiality and professionality,” said Kerrie.

“I have a fantastic team here, however I like to personally oversee everything that my Bookkeeping Staff work on before it goes to the Accountant at year end. At no cost to the client.”

For an obligation free catch up, contact Kerrie on the details below.

kerrie@bookkeepingplus.net.au

Confidentiality Assured

WOMEN in Business

Sonia Crozier Owner/Operator 12RND Brookside Local resident and personal trainer, Sonia Crozier has brought 12RND Fitness to Brookside Shopping Centre, receiving a positive response from the local community since opening in March.

When first stepping foot into a 12RND Fitness, she knew she had found an incredibly motivating concept, incorporating her two favourites; boxing and circuit training.

“The community spirit of a 12RND Club is so engaging!

Plus, having workouts planned and personal trainers coaching technique, members stay motivated and quickly get results. I wanted to bring that closer to home, so here we are!” said Sonia.

Many paths have brought Sonia to this point, with each one developing valuable skills. Her career began with

0401 336 200

Page 24 - June 2019, The Hills Echo

teaching and adult training before taking on a support role assisting people with chronic health conditions find work. This prompted her personal health and fitness journey and the rest evolved naturally.

“I discovered no challenge was too great to overcome!

Being a small business owner is definitely the hardest, yet most rewarding venture I’ve ever undertaken,”said Sonia.

If you’re keen to find out more about 12RND Fitness, you can register for a free trial online at 12rnd.com.au, or call on 0401 336 200.

A l t e r n a t i v e l y, S o n i a invites you to drop into the Club to arrange your first session or to have a look around.

mitchelton@12round.com

www.12rnd.com.au

www.hillsecho.com

Photo Front L-R

Michelle Reilly Julie Beasley Elena Sgorlon

The expert Legal Team McCarthy Durie Lawyers, Arana Hills Tucked away in Nepean Avenue, a stones throw from busy Patricks Road, is conveniently located legal practice McCarthy Durie Lawyers (MDL) Arana Hills.

This local firm pride themselves on having a professional, experienced and friendly team.

The MDL female team are dedicated and experts within their field with expertise in Commercial, Wills and Estate Law along with residential and commercial conveyancing matters.

The staff at MDL understand that it is often quite daunting to deal with lawyers, however this team of experts take on a personal approach which immediately puts their clients at ease. They aim to understand the needs of their clients and give them reassurance that their issue can be solved.

Read on to discover a bit more about these inspirational ladies.

Julie Beasley – Conveyancer

After working with the Arana Hills office for over 30 years, Julie is one of MDL’s most experienced conveyancers.

She started her career working in a city law firm as a private secretary to one of the partners. When the Conveyancer at the firm went on vacation, Julie jumped at the chance to fill her role whilst she was away and quickly realised this was an area of law that, not only did she excel in, but she had a passion for. Julie then progressed to secure a role at the Arana Hills office and has never looked back.

Julie provides experienced and professional conveyancing services, focusing on residential purchases and sales of land, houses and units. She works closely with clients to provide advice in terms that are easy to understand.

Julie’s top tip for clients: “You can never ask too may questions. We are always here to help and make the transaction as smooth as possible.”

Michelle Reilly – Conveyancer

Michelle initially worked for another firm as an Office Manager/Bookkeeper. Upon transitioning to MDL, she

07 3370 5100 www.hillsecho.com

was offered a Conveyancing position which she knew would be a challenge, but one she was keen to take on.

Throughout the years, Michelle has excelled in her role as Conveyancer and provides an efficient and helpful service to clients, answering all queries to ensure clients feel valued each step of the way through the conveyancing process. She knows that her role makes a difference to her client’s lives and enjoys helping them to achieve their future plans.

Michelle’s top tip for clients: “Always contact us with any queries or decisions rather than contacting the Real Estate agent as all requests between the buyer and seller should be put in writing.”

Elena Sgorlon – Commercial Law, Wills and Estates Lawyer

In 2011, Elena joined the team at Arana Hills as their Commercial, Wills and Estates Lawyer.

She is passionate about the local area and adds that the convenience and connection with the community is one of the highlights of her job.

The majority of Elena’s clients live locally, therefore having extensive insight and experience within the community allows her to offer some of the best advice and suggestions to her clients in her role as a Commercial Lawyer.

Practical, realistic and solutions orientated, she operates with a meticulous eye for detail to effectively and efficiently achieve client objectives. Elena also possesses a flair for persuasion along with a positive “can do” attitude that has enabled her to excel within her profession and she has had many career highlights in recognition of this.

Elena’s top tip for clients: “It’s never too early to start talking about Estate Planning with your lawyer. Much better to be prepared than to be caught out!”

MDL are an integral part of our community and are proud of the long-term relationships that they have built with their local clients. They welcome all enquiries.

10 Nepean Avenue, Arana Hills

www.mdl.com.au

The Hills Echo, June 2019 - Page 25

Photo Back L-R:

Nicky Panagopoulos, Sandy Kelly, Vicki Burden, Brigid Batchelor

WOMEN in Business

Photo Front L-R

Lorraine Kiss, Kristie Reed Client support co-ordination team Jubilee Community Care AWARD-WINNING WOMEN IN BUSINESS! Having a reputable and trusted aged care provider to support you to remain independent at home is vital.

And Jubilee Community Care is just that, with its Client Support Co-ordination Team winning an Excellence in Age Services Award recently.

Jubilee Community Care won the Team category in the Queensland awards, run by Leading Age Services Australia (LASA). As the winner, Jubilee Community Care’s team will now progress to the Australian awards at LASA’s national congress in October.

The team, led by client support manager Nicky Panagopoulos, includes co-ordinators Sandy Kelly, Lorraine Kiss and Kristie Reed, activities officer Vicki Burden and office co-ordinator Brigid Batchelor.

Collectively, they have more than 100 years’ experience of caring and arranging personalised, consistent and reliable in-home support services for clients, with 35 of those 100 years employed at Jubilee.

Their win comes on top of another accolade late last year when Nicky was named as a finalist in the Community Dedication and Social Justice category of the Women in Business Awards of Australia (Greater Brisbane).

“The recent LASA award is recognition of Jubilee Community Care’s position as a leader in the aged care industry and the quality of its services provided for older people on Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Program, as well as those seeking private services,” says Nicky.

“We are a Brisbane-based, stand-alone and not-for-profit community aged care provider that is passionate about making a difference in the lives of older Australians. This award really does show that a local provider can shine on the national stage by being flexible and innovative, by providing personalised services and community connections, and by putting people and their families first.”

But the co-ordination of in-home care is just one facet

of Jubilee’s well-respected services which aim to help older people live safe, healthy, active and fulfilled lives in their own homes.

Jubilee has a passion for and focus on a person’s health, wellbeing and sense of community by providing and linking people to social activities such as art classes, visits to restaurants, wineries and animal sanctuaries, as well as providing falls prevention programs, exercise groups, hydrotherapy and more. In response Jubilee has had a mountain of positive feedback from clients and family members regarding the positive impact of the community connection programs.

And celebrating 30 years of service this year, Jubilee has a solid history of being an organisation that clients and their families can depend upon.

Whether you are transitioning into aged care and need help navigating My Aged Care, want private services or already have a government-subsidised home care package, Jubilee Community Care can support you with in-home services on days and at times of your choosing.

The staff, a majority of which are female, are permanently employed, undergo police clearance and reference checks and attend ongoing training programs to enhance their skills and experience. Many of the staff also choose to further their own knowledge studying aged care courses made available to them through their employment.

Clients’ satisfaction with Jubilee’s service is underlined by the results from a recent survey. 100 per cent of respondents said they would recommend Jubilee Community Care to others, all respondents said Jubilee’s staff treat them with dignity and respect, and all said they were supported by Jubilee in their choice of care and support services.

If you, your family, or someone you know needs support in the home or information on aged care services please call Jubilee Community Care and one of our client support co-ordinators will be delighted to speak with you.

07 3871 3220 admin@jccagedcare.org.au www.jccagedcare.org.au

Page 26 - June 2019, The Hills Echo

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WOMEN in Business

Charmaine Renaud Owner and Director You Are Fantastic & Banksia Women’s Healing Centre Charmaine Renaud is an author, speaker and confidence coach focusing on women’s natural health helping women who nurture everyone else but themselves. Women who struggle with Stress and Anxiety, Hormone Issues, Weight Gain, are exhausted and experience a general feeling of being overwhelmed.

Charmaine is a director of her own natural health clinic Banksia Womens, established twenty-five years ago.

During this time Charmaine has helped thousands of people regain health and vitality with a practical hands on approach.

She has industry certified qualifications in Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, remedial massage, kinesiology, reflexology, Chinese herbs, AcuGraph and related modalities. During this busy life she has

0418 986 552

found time to complete six half marathons and support a happy family.

Charmaine’s personal health journey recovering from severe ill health, and her passion to empower women to live happy, healthy, heartfelt lives, has driven her to create her proven signature program 5 Keys to Master your Lifestyle.

Delivering programs in various ways, such as Courses, Speaking Engagements, Personal Mentoring and her Book, “How to turn off the Negative Mind Chatter – Discover the Five Keys to Calm, Confidence and Contentment”, gives women tools to feel calm, supported, nurtured, energised and avert the Path of Depression. These programs allow people to discover the real woman that they are and feel fantastic.

info@youarefantastic.com.au

www.youarefantastic.com.au

charmaineconfidencecoach

charmainerenaud

Melissa Demarco Principal Lawyer - Demarco Law Principal Lawyer, Melissa Demarco started Demarco Law in July 2016 after working in private legal practice in Canada and Australia for nearly 20 years.

Melissa’s decision to leave the big city law firms came after experiencing the sudden loss of her mother and self-reflection into what she wanted out of her career and life: to spend more time with her family, be more involved in the community, and provide exceptional and affordable legal services.

Melissa immigrated to Australia in 2003 with only a suitcase and a dream. Her personal experiences have taught her to take risks and to accept challenges as opportunities.

Melissa’s passionate and personal approach to the law and helping others sets her apart from the rest.

She believes that will always be a solution; having

07 3075 7982 www.hillsecho.com

your trusted advisor’s support to get through a difficult situation will allow you to focus on the ‘important stuff’ which can make the world of difference.

Demarco Law’s offices are located at The Gap (next to The Gap Village Shopping Centre) and provides services to businesses and individuals throughout Australia. Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, Melissa has advised clients on matters involving: Workplace Relations, Safety, Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, Migration, Family, Estate Planning and Conveyancing.

mdemarco@demarcolaw.com.au

www.demarcolaw.com.au The Hills Echo, June 2019 - Page 27

WOMEN in Business

Dendra Cole

Audiologist/Director - Impact Hearing

Impact Hearing is a permanent independent hearing clinic in Samford which local resident Dendra opened to serve the village community and to compliment the already established medical precinct.

Dendra is a university qualified audiologist with over 15 year’s experience in the hearing industry.

This professional journey in the hearing industry has embraced all areas of audiology from clinical, management and manufacturing to consultant locum and business advisor. Hearing loss is also something personal for Dendra being hearing impaired herself and wearing bilateral hearing aids since 3 years of age, she knows well the challenges in life and impact of hearing loss first hand.

Hearing impairment is something she is very passionate about helping both adults and children through hearing

07 3289 5563

assessments, rehabilitation and hearing solutions.

As a client of Impact Hearing you will experience unsurpassed expertise, professionalism and care as if you are a member of Dendra’s own family.

Impact Hearing offers hearing assessments to children and adults, all brands of hearing aids, assistive listening devices, tinnitus solutions, noise, musician and swim plugs. A complimentary hearing screening, discussion or obligation free hearing aid trial are all options available at Impact Hearing. Dendra welcomes you to come into the clinic and introduce yourself.

dendra@impacthearing.com.au

www.impacthearing.com.au

WOMEN in Business

Chantal Coleman

Director - Ritual HQ

Director at Ritual HQ, Chantal Coleman has recently been named by The Urban List as one of Brisbane’s Top 10 Personal Trainers.

“I believe I can play a key role in guiding people to live a healthier, more fulfilling life through habitual training and nutrition,” says Chantal.

“With the right level of support and belief, this is achievable for anyone who wants it badly enough.”

Chantal is particularly interested in empowering mums as she firmly believes this will have a direct impact on their family and the quality of their home environment.

Chantal was also a 2016 Small Business of the Year Finalist, and 2016 Business Woman of the Year Award Finalist, finishing in the top three for her dedication to the community.

0417 737 066

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Ritual HQ is where genuine care and results aren’t taken for granted.

Working with local state schools and community groups, Ritual HQ provides volunteers for charity events throughtout the year and school fundraisers and also facilitates monthly education sessions at the gym for the entire community.

Chantal launched a new initiative in 2016 - Mums Who Lift. Designed to help mothers gain confidence, mobility and strength, an initiative that broke superficial barriers.

Gifting the community with advice, support, coaching and time isn’t a burden but a priviledge - Ritual HQ’s gift to others. NOW open in Everton Hills.

chantal@ritualhq.com.au

www.ritualhq.com.au www.hillsecho.com

WOMEN in Business

Kathryn MacDonell Property Expert

Ashley Hall Staging and Marketing

professional experience + passion = the élan difference

Selling your home is an important decision, both emotionally and financially. Selecting the team to help you reach the outcome you want is equally as important.

It is essential that they have a unique blend of skills and experience – marketing, negotiation, customer service and home presentation – to ensure you achieve a fantastic result.

Kathryn MacDonell and Ashley Hall bring two decades of experience in the legal, business and marketing sectors to offer a fresh approach to real estate services in Brisbane with their real estate agency Èlan Property Agents. Combining this professional experience with an eye for design and style, they bring a new style of real estate agency to Brisbane. “Our approach is unique in that blends traditional sales techniques with more modern approaches of providing property preparation advice and services. We understand that in the current property climate there needs to be a strong emphasis on showcasing each and every property to enable our clients to achieve the best possible result,” says Kathryn.

Kathryn MacDonell, Property Expert

Kathryn approaches real estate with fresh eyes and a desire not to conform to existing ‘real estate’ stereotypes.

She prides herself on a more personal approach with clients, balancing her warm and approachable nature with ensuring she is candid and manages her clients’ expectations professionally.

“Through Èlan I am able to transfer the professional and problem-solving skills I have developed with my passion for the property market, and provide a well-rounded real estate service,” explains Kathryn. This broad mix of professional experience coupled with extensive knowledge of the market in north-west Brisbane (particularly the Hills District) sets her apart from other agents in the area.

Having enjoyed a successful career in litigation she has the critical negotiation experience to bring buyers and sellers together. “The task is to work with everyone involved to achieve a successful sale. Communication, honesty and reliability are the key to doing so,” said Kathryn. Kathryn’s background also reinforces the importance of honesty and ethics when it comes to

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0413 604 547

selling property. “Over the years I have heard many real estate ‘disaster’ stories and most of them come down to lack of communication and not being honest with clients about what to expect or what they need to do to achieve a particular outcome.”

Ashley Hall, Staging & Marketing

While Kathryn focuses on real estate sales and property management, Ashley, as the agency’s creative director, concentrates on advising and assisting clients to properly present their properties. Part of Èlan’s core service offering is a level of complimentary home staging as well as advising owners as to what are the critical things they should focus on in preparing their home for sale. “In the current climate there needs to be a strong emphasis on properly showcasing each and every property to enable our clients to achieve the best possible result,” Kathryn stated.

“When people are buying a house they are looking for something as close as possible to their dream home,” explained Ashley. “While budget still comes into consideration, buyers still need to see themselves living as close to their ideal lifestyle as they can afford.

This is particularly important in a slower market when competition is that little bit fiercer”.

Ashley’s philosophy is that the proactive marketing of a property starts well before it hits the market. “Being involved at the earliest stage possible helps us to facilitate the best possible outcome for our clients.” She goes on to say, “Marketing your house for sale involves fundamental concepts of marketing – knowing what your competition is doing and ensuring you stand out from the rest.” With this in mind she combines her education and professional background in marketing with an eye for creating functional and harmonious spaces that appeal to a broad audience. “I enjoy watching how trends evolve and exploring what people value in their home and then using this to advise my clients in preparing their home for sale. For example, it’s important for all sellers to appreciate what buyers are looking for and provide it to them. This generally involves evoking a feeling of spaciousness, an aura of it being ready to move into and easy to maintain, as well as having a sense of style which appeals to a broad market.” Èlan credits it’s successful sales to helping to stage or restyle their listings.

E kathryn@elanpropertyagents.com.au

elanpropertyagents.com.au

The Hills Echo, June 2019 - Page 29

Kasey Westcott

Pharmacist Credentialed Diabetes Educator TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills

Kasey is one of our talented Pharmacists and is also a Credentialed Diabetes Educator.

Kasey brings variety to the pharmacy by performing the traditional role of a pharmacist dispensing medications as well as one on one consultations, group sessions, medication reviews and to provide support to the local community about their health conditions.

She is passionate about educating and empowering our patients with the information they need to self-manage their diabetes and prevent complications. Consultations begin by devising smart goals and strategies to improve blood glucose control and sense of wellbeing.

07 3351 6100

As pharmacists are the most accessible health professional, Kasey can provide access to specialised areas of health with reduced waiting times. If you are a newly diagnosed patient with Type 1 or 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes, evidenced based consultation and regular contact with a Credentialed Diabetes Educator can provide an ongoing supportive foundation after diagnosis.

Kasey is also a mother of 2 young boys and enjoys helping local parents with questions and concerns about their children and the challenges of parenthood!

Kasey is available Wednesday to Saturday via self referral or GP referral for diabetes consultations.

www.facebook.com/TerryWhiteChemmartAranaHills

Jacqui Hagidimitriou

Pharmacy Manager and Integrative Pharmacist TerryWhite Chemmart Samford

Jacqui Hagidimitriou is an enthusiastic managing pharmacist of TerryWhite Chemmart Samford. Her passion is to give the best care possible to the community she works in, providing Samford and surrounds with genuine care and additional pharmacy services.

Jacqui has several special interest areas, such as chronic pain management, digestive health and nutrition. She has completed further education in natural medicines and nutrition and was awarded the 2017 Bioceuticals Integrative Medicine Award, in recognition of her holistic approach to care in the pharmacy. This year, she was one of seven finalists in the running for TerryWhite Chemmart‘s national Pharmacist of the year award.

In the TerryWhite Chemmart Samford clinic rooms, “The Clinic Hub”, Jacqui runs group pain management sessions, as well as a host of one-on-one naturopathic

07 3289 1559

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services. Her smiling nature makes you feel welcome and able to achieve the personal health goals that you have set out to achieve. Being both a pharmacist and a nutritionist, with Jacqui you will get the best of both worlds and a rounded approach to wellbeing.

Jacqui is always changing her approach to the natural support of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome as new research appears. Her inquisitive mind looks to find the root causes for ill health and to use whatever therapy might be appropriate in the situation to help her customers. This has gained her many more referrals as people find benefit in the changes they have made through her sessions.

Please pop in and say hi to Jacqui next time you are in Samford, or you are welcome to book an appointment by calling the pharmacy on 07 3289 1559.

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