The Barossa's Favourite Newspaper
The Barossa's Favourite Newspaper
On Wednesday March 6th, 2024, The Leader Newspaper published a special feature to celebrate International Women’s Day, held on Friday March 8th.
Complementing the lead story in the newspaper were multiple articles highlighting local Barossa women in business.
Read on to learn about some of the regions ambitious female business owners and their staff.
As a real estate agent, I really enjoy spending time with my vendors and helping them to sell their homes – it’s so rewarding to see smiles on their faces and knowing that I’ve achieved a fantastic result.
I like to be there every step of the process and communication is so important when you’re helping vendors make life-changing decisions.
I also like meeting new people and building long term relationships.
I feel that networking would be a great way to support each other in business, getting together to talk and share experiences whether that be positive or negative.
Mentoring or sponsoring other women, offering encouragement to help them with their business.
Hold an event to specifically promote another women’s business(es).
Dito Plus is an accounting firm with offices at Nuriootpa and Kapunda. It is a small team of 10 staff members that all live within the Barossa and Gawler area. We provide accounting and taxation services for individuals, businesses and self-managed superannuation funds.”
I am one of the Senior Chartered Accountants at the Kapunda office. I complete individual tax returns and work closely with small business owners, assisting them with their business and taxation needs
I have been a part of the Dito team for over 12 years.
Dito has provided support and opportunities as I have grown in the profession. It is fulfilling and enjoyable to be working within the close-knit team at Dito. Working within the Barossa allows me to assist in many industries, it is rewarding to support my clients and watch as they take an idea and grow it into a successful business.
Organising semi-regular meetings and an online group for women in business I think would be beneficial in the Barossa – somewhere that is easily accessible for many.
(It) opens communication channels to uplift each other and a place to meet others that may have similar interests, or even challenges within their business. (It) could be a place to inspire those that are just starting out in business and (provide) the encouragement they need to continue.
Real estate sales and property management is what we do and we are here to help when you need us!
As much as real estate is about homes and properties, it is the people and their stories we enjoy most. Helping solve problems and enabling families to continue in life’s journeys wherever that happens to take them is by far the most enjoyable part of our business for sure.
Re-opening the long-standing Professionals Real Estate Office in Kapunda, there are now four of us, here, all local and serving our communities through volunteering and sponsorships, contributing part of every sale back into community groups and projects.
The support we have received from our recent hunt for rentals on Facebook, turning into a radio interview with the ABC and the community coming together to let us know about properties or wanting to help out has been wonderful.
Honesty, integrity and kindness above all else. We strive to provide a wonderful service with good communication.
The backbone to our business culture is having respect for each other and all of our clients. We all work together to have the best outcome possible, always people before dollars.
Networking events for getting to know one another, referral systems and advocating for one another are all great options.
Cheering each other on and celebrating in the achievements of others is a great way to support women in business everywhere.
Be a giver not a taker. Give opportunity, give your knowledge, give your time and give good communication.
One valuable piece of advice is to prioritise effective communication.
Clear and transparent communication is crucial in building trust, fostering collaboration, and aligning teams toward common goals.
Leaders are often encouraged to be open, approachable, and to actively listen to the perspectives and feedback of their team members. ‘If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers. It’s that simple.’ – Richard Branson
You can achieve anything you set your mind to!
“We have provided support and advice to individuals and families across Australia for five decades. The team at Calder Wealth Management take time to understand clients’ needs and priorities to create a customised financial experience that draws on our holistic range of services.
Our wealth management and financial planning services encompass advice, investment, insurance and finance. We evolve with our clients as their lives and needs change and develop.”
“What we enjoy most about our financial planning business is the opportunity to…empower clients, and particularly women, to take control of their financial futures. Every day, we work with our clients to educate, guide and support them in achieving their financial goals.
Whether it’s planning for retirement, saving for a child’s education, or navigating life’s unexpected twists, being able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and their families is incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that we’re helping to build a more financially secure future for our clients brings us all immense satisfaction.”
“Our culture is built on several key principles that guide everything we do. Firstly, we strongly believe in the power of teamwork. Collaboration is at the heart of our operations, and we thrive on working together to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. Secondly, emotional intelligence is a cornerstone of our business culture. We prioritise understanding and empathy in all our interactions, whether it’s with clients, colleagues, or partners.
This helps us build strong relationships and navigate complex situations effectively. Moreover, we have a genuine care for each other and our community. This sense of camaraderie and support fosters a positive work environment where everyone can flourish. “We’re committed to making a difference not only in the lives of our clients but also in the broader community, striving to contribute to the greater good in everything we do. These principles — teamwork, emotional intelligence, care for each other, and the greater good—shape our culture and drive our success as a financial planning practice.”
“Local women in business can support each other by getting together for informal gatherings like coffee meetups, where they can network and share experiences. It’s important to advocate for one another, building each other up. Celebrating achievements together is so important and fosters a supportive community where everyone can thrive and succeed.”
Mellor Olsson is a leading South Australian law firm, serving families and businesses statewide.
With a focus on client needs and quality service, our experienced team provides specialised legal advice. We maintain strong principles, including a commitment to regional South Australia, personalised service and excellence in legal guidance.
We have offices in the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Port Lincoln and Adelaide.
As a Partner, my role primarily revolves around leading and managing our Family Law Team, while also actively engaging with clients to provide them with the best possible legal support during challenging periods in their lives.
I have been honoured to be nominated twice as a Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly National Partner of the Year Awards, in 2021 and 2023.
As well as helping my clients, one of my priorities is to build and support my family law team and these awards recognise the market leaders across Australia who are doing this well.
This recognition was important to me as it reflected my hard work achieved in the business side of my role, in terms of leading my team as well as assisting clients with their matters.
Working together as a team to provide our clients with the best possible outcomes for their matters.
At Mellor Olsson we work in teams within our area, ie. Family law, as well as a big team across the firm offering our clients assistance in all areas of law.
We support those teams by encouraging a positive work environment through our firm’s values and feeling united through internal networking events and social activities.
We encourage our staff to nominate other staff members for a values-based award that recognises the staff member who is going above and beyond to live the firm’s core values.
By creating networks to refer work to each other and to support each other using their unique business experiences.
Last year, two of my business associates and I created a female networking group called the Edith Network, taking our inspiration for this from Edith Cowan OBE, a pioneer for women’s rights, welfare, education and a trailblazer for the liberation of women.
The group is designed to offer collaboration, support and acceptance and the ability to network with likeminded SA business women.
Whether it is through a formal networking group such as this, or through more informal networking connections, women in business can and should refer…work to one another and build on the strength of these relationships.
I think that the 2024 theme could be women supporting women personally and professionally.
Women can inspire each other through their own stories of success in their personal and professional lives and take strength from each other in that way.
They can build networks for client referral and support and raise each other up, rather than sometimes working against each other to achieve in a competitive way, and instead collaborating with each other to achieve success and fulfillment in their lives.
The Vet Clinic is a small, intimate veterinary clinic in Angaston. Whilst our three vets are happy to treat a wide range of small animals, the vast majority of our patients are dogs and cats, hailing from as far afield as Renmark to the East and McLaren Vale to the South.
We offer a comprehensive range of veterinary medical and surgical healthcare at competitive prices, and as pet owners ourselves, we take pride in delivering accurate, up-to-date and compassionate advice and care to all our patients and their families.
I’ve owned The Vet Clinic for almost two years, purchasing it from the previous owner, who remains with us as our Financial Manager. Having her stay on (in) this capacity has allowed me to continue doing what I love – being your family vet! Coming from an intense veterinary background of emergency practice, academia, volunteering, and hospital management, it is a welcome change to have settled into life as a general practitioner.
I honestly look forward to coming to work every day!
Working with such an exceptional group of people is a real privilege. On a personal note, I really enjoy complex surgeries, and look forward to the challenges presented by a difficult procedure or complicated medical case.
Seeing a critically ill patient return home, or a difficult wound be completely healed; seeing those tails wagging and families smiling at the happiness of their pet is absolutely the best feeling in the world.
Without a doubt, choosing to have a baby on my own, and then giving birth to my beautiful daughter in 2020. As a solo Mama, I never thought I would have the opportunity to even work full time hours, let alone maintain a thriving business.
It wouldn’t be possible without my amazingly supportive team, and the support of my now three year old daughter, who has recently learned to operate the Nespresso and make Mama a coffee first thing in the morning!
We are committed to compassionate pet care. We have each other’s backs, and we know how to have fun and have a laugh, despite the sometimes stressful and serious nature of our jobs. Every one of us has great empathy for our patients and their families, and the whole team just naturally go above and beyond to ensure every animal in our care is comfortable and loved. There is a lovely relaxed and laid-back culture at our clinic, where we are all free to be ourselves.
I feel the most important thing we can all do is to simply support local wherever possible. Whenever we can, we try to make use of the products and services offered by local businesses, we donate to local charities, employ local people, and take part in community events.
Something as simple as buying your morning coffee from the local café rather than a service station or a fast food chain helps to keep our local businesses in business!
We are a family-owned construction company, building custom new homes, extensions and renovations.
My role is primarily in preconstruction, although you’ll see me from enquiry to handover. I liaise with the client to explore the look and feel they are wanting in the interior of their home, then we all work together with our suppliers and trades to bring the design together.
Interestingly research says the majority of building projects are driven by the female of the house. With the building industry still being male dominated it’s nice for our clients to have another female working with them along the way.
I really enjoy both the creative and personal elements. Helping clients design beautiful spaces bringing their ideas to life, ensuring that they are functional, aesthetic and most importantly a space that they will enjoy and create many memories in.
We believe in creating a team and working collaboratively with the client, designers and the builder right at the beginnings. Building a home is the biggest investment most people will make in their lives, it’s such a privilege for every member of our team to create homes for our clients.
Each home is so much more than plans on a piece of paper, we really want our clients to enjoy the building experience and every member of our team contributes to this.
We are local real estate agents who work in the field without the need for an office, ‘cause we are never in any way!
We do things differently and use technology to drive better results for our clients. Urban & Rural Partners is a proud partner of the
Agents’ Agency – the only national network dedicated to exceptional buyer reach, client care and absolute reliability.
I received lots of great advice from other business owners, accountants and our professional support team, but the best advice I have been given is ‘Just do it’ as well as ‘read for 30min everyday and never stop learning’.
We are proud to say that we are environmentally friendly and now use 100% recycled material for all our local monthly marketing.
So, when you have finished reading our handy tips or market updates, you can repurpose the material into compost or the green/yellow council bin – just doing our bit for the environment!
Director/Registered Conveyancer
I am the Director of E K Conveyancing and one of three Registered Conveyancers who work in my business. I am a small Conveyancing business run from the heart of Tanunda. I currently employ three female staff who work full time (both Registered Conveyancers), and another who works on a part time basis. I like my clients to know who they are working with when they telephone or walk through my door so that they have the reassurance of consistency throughout their transaction.
Achieving my 10 years in business in November 2023.
I take a lot of pride in being present and available for my clients and I encourage my staff to do the same.
I want my clients to know that they are supported every step of the way throughout their transaction and am mindful that not all transactions are for a happy or exciting change in their lives.
Sometimes the transactions are sensitive in nature and I would like to think that my clients can see the empathy and respect shown in those situations. I want my clients to feel at ease from the moment they walk in the door or from the very first telephone conversation they have.
My Ability Pathway is a NDIS registered provider of services to people with disability. We work with people with high-level support needs and focus on empowering them to lead fulfilling lives. The support may comprise assistance with daily tasks, like attending school, work or appointments, finding a home and being supported to live independently, or coordinating the supports funded through the NDIS, which help them thrive and achieve their goals.
My role as Service Coordinator means engaging closely with our clients to ensure we understand how they want to live their lives, what support they need to do this, and how we can implement the support to meet their personal goals.
We are people helping people.
Meeting the people we support and witnessing firsthand their journey towards their goals is a privilege. It reminds me of the resilience and strength within the human spirit, it is so rewarding to see people embrace their capabilities, break barriers and challenge stereotypes.
Being a part of their growth and witnessing the transformation firsthand fills me with joy.
It reinforces my commitment to providing people with disability support on their path to living enriched lives.
Being able to support people with a disability to live fulfilling lives, by empowering them with genuine choice and control over their living situation, ensuring they can remain in their rural communities if desired, rather than moving to metro suburbs in search of support.
By offering comprehensive and accessible services we create an environment where people can thrive while remaining in their community.
We provide opportunities for people with disability to live independently with dignity and actively participate in and contribute to the vibrancy of rural life.
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I have received in business is prioritising continuous learning and self-improvement, whether it’s staying updated on industry trends, seeking mentorship from experienced professionals, or investing in education, the importance of ongoing learning cannot be overstated.
By remaining curious, adaptable, and open to new ideas, women in business can stay ahead of the curve, make informed decisions, and navigate challenges more effectively. Also, fostering a learning culture within their organisations can inspire innovation, creativity, and growth among their teams.
Ultimately, embracing lifelong learning as a woman in business can lead to greater professional and personal success.
Custom Conveyancing is a small conveyancing business based in Gawler. I am one of the three full time Registered Conveyancers in my business and I am very lucky to have three full time female employees working for Custom Conveyancing, including myself.
Our clients are our focus and we ensure that our clients are at ease throughout the entire process when dealing with us.
I am the founding Director of Custom Conveyancing and a registered conveyancer.
I feel extremely lucky in my role as I truly love my job and it is a pleasure to go to work everyday when you are doing something that you enjoy.
Together with my staff, I take pride in my role at Custom Conveyancing and customer service and client satisfaction is my/our highest priority.
Being able to guide our clients through such a significant financial commitment, which can seem overwhelming at the time.
To play a small role in removing any stress and uncertainty of their purchase or sale and make our process a seamless one, gives me great pleasure. One of the most fulfilling things about my business is repeat customers or referrals, we often receive customer enquires from family, friends and colleagues of existing clients which is the best compliment.
Being able to lead a business where our clients are at the forefront of our culture and their satisfaction is of upmost importance to us, achieving their outcomes and exceeding their expectations is something that myself and my staff enjoy immensely.
Seeing my staff learn and grow is definitely a career highlight of mine. All of my staff are continuously striving to better themselves in their own roles and that is something that I am extremely proud of.
Seeing my business grow from just myself to having three full-time staff with a wonderful team environment.
The principles that I hold of high importance for our business culture are; firstly, leading by example; effective communication; transparency and celebrating not only our achievements but those of our clients also.
Treat people how you would like to be treated and you never stop learning.
By information sharing, there are many successful business women in our community who are high achievers, the importance of collaboration, team work and collective effort in achieving business success cannot be underestimated.