Sunshine Coast Business Womens Network Award Winners

Business Matters Magazine speaks to recent winners of the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards.

Lindy Atkin, Bark Design Architects
– Winner, Sunshine Coast Daily Outstanding Business Women of the Year
BM: “On a day-to-day basis, what is it about you that you think sets you apart from others. What do you do that maybe other people don’t?”  

Lindy: “A personal approach with hands-on collaboration is one of the most important aspects for our clients and team. As architects responsible for designing environments for living, working and playing, we consider it imperative that our clients can have direct contact with us at all times during design, construction and habitation.”

Sarah Pye, Kids Welcome
– Winner, ANZ Micro/Small Business Woman of the Year

BM: “As a micro/small business, how do you find the time necessary for the level of success you have achieved?   

Sarah: “When you are passionate about what you do, things like financial reward and watching the clock are less important. Every day brings joys, milestones and obstacles to overcome, and I love that challenge. Being organised, focused and willing to take risks also helps.  I just love creating Kids Welcome books together with my daughter Amber. My business has bought us closer and that’s the greatest success of all.”

Lisa Aitken, Aitken Legal
– Winner, Telstra Corporate Business Woman of the Year

BM: “Lisa, as a woman in your industry do you find that doing business on the Sunshine Coast is easier or more difficult, and why?”

Lisa: “I personally have found having my own business on the Sunshine Coast easier. This is largely due to finding a niche in the market and providing a quality service to the doorsteps of employers rather than them having to go to Brisbane for specialist employment law advice. Aitken Legal has been very well received on the Sunshine Coast with a large majority of our clients being local employers.”  

Rayeleene Elston, National Australia Bank
– Winner, Garland Waddington Solicitors Professional Business Woman of the Year

BM: “Rayeleene, what would you say has been the best thing (so far) about your journey towards this win?”   

Rayeleene: “I believe the best thing this journey has done for me is to actually help me celebrate my success a little. It has made me stop and have a look at where I am, to take a breath and really appreciate my life and what I have achieved with it so far.”

Linda Ireland, Mortgage Choice/Insight Processing – Winner, University of the Sunshine Coast Faculty  of Business Young Business Woman of the Year.  

BM: “Linda, what do you think is the difference between you and other young women? In other words, what do you put the win down to?”

Linda: “The only difference is that we’re successful in different ways. I have been in a unique position, particularly the last two years, being in an industry that has struggled through the GFC. However, I have managed to grow, expand and further develop and diversify my business. I’m always offering better service to my clients and aiming to provide as many jobs as I can to Sunshine Coast locals.”

---