Business Chicks

MAKING A BETTER PLACE FOR WOMEN

ALYSSA WELKE

At Business Chicks, they believe that every woman is capable of achieving amazing things. But they also know you can’t do it alone.So that’s where Business Chicks comes in.

Despite their name, they’re not only for women in ‘business’ or women who own their own businesses.

Business Chicks is about helping all women play a bigger game. Whether you’re running your own show, surrounded by others in an office, or just missing a sense of connection and support, Business Chicks is all about giving you the tools you need to propel yourself and your businesses forward.

When you’re a member of Business Chicks, there’s not just one woman who has your back, there are thousands.

Every day, Business Chicks works tirelessly to represent and support its members, and to give them the connections and experiences they need to lead a bold life and show women and girls they can be what they can see.

We don’t want to live in a world where a Google Image search for ‘CEO’ yields pictures of only men; where women need to work an additional 70 days a year to earn the same amount as men; and where too many women are scared to ask for the pay rise they deserve.

We want to live in a world where workplaces adapt their structures around mothers instead of mothers adapting their work lives around having children, where the “gender pay gap” no longer makes headlines – because it doesn’t exist – and where collaborative, inclusive and compassionate leadership is celebrated.

We want to reimagine the future for women, and at Business Chicks, we can all play a part in making that happen.

To find out more about how Business Chicks can help you achieve your career goal, head to https://businesschicks.com, check out their socials at businesschicks on Instagram, Business Chicks on Facebook or Business Chicks AU on Twitter.

So, tell us a bit about yourself, Bek!

Hello, I’m Bek Bishop and I live in South-East Victoria in Gippsland on five acres with my husband Nick, eldest son James (24), younger son Harrison (11), our Cavoodle Hudson, our cow Dalli, our sheep, Greta, Mia and Amy, and our goats, Fred & Ginger, with Harry adding new lizards to our family regularly — say that in one mouthful!

I used to be a competitive ballroom dancer, I love learning Spanish, eating amazing food, walking, travelling, doing silent disco, helping others whenever I can and spending time with my family and friends.

You seem to have your hands full there! Can you tell us about your professional career?

After completing year 12, I began working in the legal sector and fell in love with all things law. I decided I was going to be a lawyer and scored a job at one of the most prestigious law firms in Melbourne at the time — yeah, I did!

When I met my husband and his son James, I moved to a smaller suburban firm closer to home and they were happy for me to undertake my law degree while working with them.

I worked in law as a senior paralegal for 11 years until 2010 when I had a car accident that left me seriously injured and unable to work. I was left with multiple injuries including a permanent brain injury, nerve damage, PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain and more, and I had to re-learn to walk, feed and bathe myself.

Four years later, and whilst working through rehabilitation and outpatient services treatment, I began to help my husband in his building company Elite Building Services. We are a husband-and-wife team who builds custom residential homes and undertakes substantial renovations and knock-down/ rebuilds in South-East Victoria and Gippsland.

I wear many hats in the business (as you do!) and a few of them include: Office Manager, Contracts Manager, Administrator, Marketing Manager, and Accounts Manager — I refer to myself light-heartedly as a self-appointed Office Goddess!

As far as work-life balance goes, I’m not very good at that and I’ve been quite unapologetic about that in the past. However, I experienced burnout four times in 2020, resulting in three collapses and one hospital admission. In 2021, whilst working full-time, studying 35 hours per week, and undertaking remote learning at home with my youngest, I was burnt out for much of the year (number of collapses unknown). In 2022, my burnout went to new heights by joining forces with my chronic pain and I would get flareups that would render me unable to use my arms or sometimes even walk.

In February, I spent three out of four weeks in bed unable to function properly and was subsequently diagnosed with fibromyalgia and relapse of depression, so am now forced to slow down, and reprioritise, but it’s a work-in-progress.

What achievements in business are you most proud of?

Some of my biggest achievements in this role have been: Winning the HIA Victorian Business Partner of the Year for 2019, 2020 & 2021 and of course winning the HIA Australian Business Partner of the Year for 2020 & 2022 and the High Commendation in 2021.

The business being a finalist in the MyBusiness Awards for Trade Business of the Year and myself as the Business Leader of the Year was another highlight, as well as winning the President’s Encouragement Award in the 2020 Master Builders National Leadership Awards. Our most incredible milestone achievement for the business was winning the Best Kitchen Over $50k, Best Bathroom Over $30k and Best Laundry in the 2020 Housing Awards (making us finalists for the Bathroom and Kitchen of the Year) as it was so wonderful to see our hard work, blood, sweat, and tears acknowledged in that way.

But wait, there’s more!

I’m also the Vice-Chair of the Master Builders Gippsland Committee and I’m also on the Master Builders Housing Sector Committee. I’m a Mentor in the Women Building Australia Mentoring Program, I’ve been involved in several working groups, and I love giving back to this beloved industry, which has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities.

So, I’m a builder’s wife, a law graduate (currently awaiting admission), an advocate for women in construction, and an R U OK? Community Ambassador, a Beyond Blue – Blue Voices Member, a speaker, and a mental health advocate.

It may seem like a lot, but you know what they say, do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life!

How did you find out about Business Chicks?

I attended the Casey Cardinia Women’s Business Lunch and Emma Isaacs was the special guest speaker after just releasing her book, Winging It. When I heard the name ‘Business Chicks’, I didn’t take it very seriously; I considered myself very professional and it didn’t sound like my jam. But then I heard Em speak about Business Chicks. How she built it and the community she created, and I signed up on the spot.

How long have you been a member of Business Chicks

and what drew you to do so?I became a Business Chicks Member in 2019.

After hearing Emma speak, it was very simple for me. Em created a connection, and I loved it and wanted more of that. I wanted to be part of the community of powerhouse women that Em spoke about. Women who support each other and who don’t compete against each other, but instead lift each other up. Everything Em spoke about has been a true experience for me and then some.

The weekly webinars, workshops, sessions, and meetups were a huge lifesaver for me during the pandemic and they helped me to feel less alone. We were all going through so much, and we were able to really be there for each other, listen to each other, validate one another, and offer support and friendship. It was truly beautiful and something I’ll never forget.

Being a Business Chicks member has helped me build my confidence significantly, both within the business and personally. This community helped me realise that I’m stronger than I knew. It creates opportunities for me to help others whom I love and feel support and connection in return.

I haven’t driven since my car accident in 2010. I have been isolated and alone. I struggled with anxiety and PTSD to the point where I wouldn’t leave the house for months. I am very proud to say that in 2020, I caught the train (for the first time in 10 years) to the city and attended the Business Chicks International Women’s Day Event — All. By. Myself! It was my first time being independent since the accident 10 years prior. This was the beginning of my personal growth journey and I have since attended many events (including one interstate) by myself and I am so grateful to the Business Chicks team for the opportunity.

What advice do you have to other women in business (and the construction industry in particular)?

My advice would be to have an empowering and supportive network around you. To have people in your circle who will listen to you without judgment and help you with the support you need.