At a Glance
Bio The path that led her to this point
In my case it's true what they say about eventually going back to what you started doing!
I was 14 when I got my first job working in a busy cafe in New Zealand.
It was great fun and I ended up staying on with my employers when they sold the cafe and purchased a restaurant shortly after.
A few years later we moved back to Australia, I finished school and for a time, set my sights on being a jet fighter pilot!
I got my pilot license at 16 years of age, however as my maths was shocking I didn't make the grade when applying to the Air Force!
I joined the Army Reserves and had my 18th birthday whilst at Basic Training in Wagga Wagga.
I worked with the Reserves full time for a while and it turns out that the Army would set me up for a career in the Australian Public Service in years to come but not before a two year stint in the United Kingdom, mainly in Scotland.
I had some notable experiences in the Public Service, mainly as a Senior Policy Officer and more recently a Contracts Manager for funding ocean energy projects.
I enjoyed the work immensely, however felt restricted in terms of career progression and if truth be told I couldn't see myself working at a desk in a typical 9-5 job.
I was going through a stage of wanting more control in my life, more flexibility and I thought to myself "I'm in my early thirties, I don't think I can do this for the rest of my life!".
It was then that I set about changing my path.
I had been thinking about coffee for some time but I didn't want the overheads of a cafe to start with.
I initially based my business plan around stationing a coffee cart in a building foyer, however for one reason or another I was steered towards owning a fully decked out coffee trailer.
I purchased one recently and have secured a construction site along with a few other engagements.
It is my intention to later open my own cafe.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
My greatest achievement to date would have to be following through with my dream of being self employed. I've always been a bit of a risk taker, but for one reason or another I found it difficult to take that final step.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge so far has been finding the right trailer for the job! I was so relieved when I made the purchase, I just thought "right, that's the hard part dealt with!"
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
I would have liked to have built my identity sooner. Once I had that, everything else was so much easier.
I'm happy I took the time to refine it though, because the brand gets such a good response from people. It makes me incredibly proud.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
I would have to say the accounting software "Xero" has been immensely helpful. It is widely used by accountants and is so user friendly.
It does everything from recording your stock and expenses, paying employees and setting up your BAS statements. Brilliant!
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
Sasha Sestic who founded ONA Coffee in Canberra. He started from nothing and his story is truly inspirational.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Follow your instinct. Of course listen to what others are telling you, however it's not their journey. People are always great at giving advice but it is you who is going to make it work, so sift out the conflicting or impractical ideas and move towards what feels right for you.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I took the plunge. It's like the universe wanted me to succeed.
As soon as I made the decision to change my life, doors opened. Yes, there were challenges and still are. My business has just begun and I will need to continue to help it grow - but it's mine, and that makes all the difference.
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