QUICK CHAT
READY TO SHINE Where do you live? Twin Waters, where I have lived for the past 16 years. First job? A check-out chick at Coles in Caloundra. What are you currently working on? Lots of projects – my fourth book, SHINE Business Women events and initiatives as well as my travel, conference and event management programs for Spectacular Events. First car? A bronze Mitsubishi Sigma. Favourite book? Winging It by Emma Isaacs and anything by Marian Keyes or Philippa Gregory. If your life was a book, what would be the title? A Passionate Life. I am always on the go and full of ideas that I get VERY excited about. What are you reading now? The Awakened Woman by Tererai Trent. I am fascinated after listening to Oprah’s podcasts featuring her “all-time favourite interviewee”.
Zoë Sparks
r u e n e r p e r ent
BIO Zoë Sparks recently celebrated 20 years in business on the Sunshine Coast. Ms Sparks has an interest in helping women in business, so she launched SHINE Business Women in March last year to complement her travel and event business. She is a former Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Outstanding Business Woman of the Year and two-time finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
8 My Weekly Preview | March 29, 2019
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IMAGE: TRACY NAUGHTON
Favourite song and why? Dancing Queen by ABBA. It reminds me of my teens, my twenties and lots of fun conference events.
venue that has multiple large rooms. It is starting to happen but we lose a lot of conference business at the moment because venues only have one large room. Best days in your life and why? The two days that my sons were born – they are my greatest achievement and I would be lost without them. Can you nominate a day in your life that turned out to be a turning point and why? The day I was named the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Outstanding Business Woman of the Year in 2004. It catapulted my business into the spotlight and has led to the launch of SHINE Business Women and four business books. Your greatest regret? Everything happens for a reason, I don’t ‘do’ regrets.
“Work hard and play hard. Don’t sweat the small stuff as things will usually work out”
What are you watching right now, would you recommend it, and why? Versailles, a series about Louis XIV that I started watching on a plane to Canada. I love history and all things French, so it ticks all the boxes for me and fills in the gap until the next Outlander series comes to Netflix.
You are happiest when? I am lying in the sun reading a good book, or travelling the world. What frustrates you the most? Negative people who always look for problems or issues. I always look for the silver lining in everything. How do you deal with your frustrations? I tend to take over and make things happen. I’m a doer and never stop.
If you could tell your 18-year-old self anything, what would it be? Work hard and play hard. Don’t sweat the small stuff as things will usually work out. Look after your body, mind and soul.
When was the last time you played sport and what was it? I’ve never been a team-sport player but I do yoga a couple of times a week and get to the gym when I can.
If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be? Mary Queen of Scots, Richard Branson and Nigella Lawson – people who make an impact and intrigue me.
Best advice you’ve been given? If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
If you won $1 million, how would you spend it? Travel, travel and more travel!
What is your favourite place on the Sunshine Coast and why? So many but eating at Rice Boi is a big favourite at the moment! And I love the walk between the Alex Surf Club and the Mooloolaba Spit.
Tea or coffee and how do you have it? English breakfast tea with a touch of skim milk.
If you could change one thing on the Sunshine Coast, what would it be? Adding a huge conference and event
Know someone interesting on the Sunshine Coast? Email leigh@myweeklypreview.com.au.
NRL or AFL? Rugby union – it’s the sport of my boys.
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25/03/2019 1:36:38 PM