5 minute read
BALANCING CAREER AMBITIONS AND FAMILY LIFE: SCYCC
BY LILLIE GILLAM
There’s a common belief that you must choose between building a successful career and starting a family.
But at the Sunshine Coast Young Chamber of Commerce, we’re here to challenge that narrative. We see our members, young professionals passionately pursuing their career goals while raising families, as living proof that it’s possible to do both. It’s not always easy, but balancing both worlds can be a reality with the right support and a community that understands.
We know the struggle is real: juggling meetings and school drop-offs, late-night work deadlines and morning routines, finding time for client calls and family dinners. The balancing act is tricky, and the pressure to be ‘all in’ on your career can sometimes make the family feel like it’s competing for your attention. But it doesn’t have to be a trade-off.
We’re committed to creating a community where young professionals can thrive in their careers and personal lives. We know that our members want more than just traditional networking opportunities. They’re looking for a space that respects their professional ambitions and their roles as parents, partners and family members.
To support this, we’re actively working to offer family-friendly events that take the pressure off choosing between business and family time. By organising events that bring together professional growth and family fun, we’re building a network where young professionals don’t have to pick between the boardroom and the playground. Our goal is to show that having a career and a family aren’t mutually exclusive but can, in fact, enrich each other.
We’re proud to support our members as they navigate these overlapping worlds. When young professionals have the support they need to succeed at work and home, it strengthens their families and our entire business community. That’s the future we envision for the Sunshine Coast: a place where young professionals can build fulfilling careers without sacrificing what matters most. We’re creating a community that champions balance and celebrates the idea that young professionals don’t have to choose — they can indeed have it all.
MAGNOLIA HEALTH // Aleasha Avery
As a vibrant 27-year-old, I value our community and supporting others. I work at Seven Network, where I enjoy engaging with the community. I also volunteer for Magnolia Health, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping women who suffer from endometriosis and other pelvic pain conditions. Representing Magnolia Health at events helps raise awareness about pelvic pain conditions and promotes conversations on these topics.
I joined the SCYCC because I believe in its mission to support young and driven professionals in making a positive impact within our region and fostering community engagement. I wanted to be part of a community that empowers people to create meaningful change. I love the sense of belonging and collaboration. The diverse perspectives and shared commitment to growth inspire me daily, making it a truly enriching experience.
KINGMAKER // Carlo Chincarini
Hi, I’m Carlo, and I am blessed to call the Sunshine Coast home. I am “The Kingmaker”, a personal development and high-performance coach for ambitious business owners and leaders, elite sports teams and head coaches from around the world.
As an entrepreneur who’s been in business his whole life, I know what it’s like to step into a world of unknowns, not knowing where you’re going to fit in and having to create something out of nothing.
It’s great to be part of the Sunshine Coast Young Chamber of Commerce where the focus is on people and building relationships. I value being surrounded by like-minded professionals who collaborate in a supportive environment to positively impact our community’s future.
DASH ACADEMY // Bronte Cresswell
At DASH Academy, I’m dedicated to helping business owners, in-house teams and social media managers take control of their organic social media strategies. After building and selling my marketing company, I shifted focus to training others through DASH Academy. I teach businesses how to create structured posting schedules and build effective strategies, which is invaluable for those with in-house marketing managers or administrators overseeing their social media accounts. I also work with aspiring social media managers looking to set up their freelance businesses.
When I started, I found it challenging to connect with like-minded, career-focused young people. That’s why I co-founded the Chamber: to create a supportive space for growth. Being part of this journey has been amazing, and it’s become more than a networking group—we’re friends who support one another every day.
BDO // Jack Rawlings
I’m a senior accountant in BDO’s Business Services division, studying to gain my CA qualification (GradDipCA). Being a long-term local has allowed me to embrace the Coast’s active outdoor lifestyle as a member of the Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club.
Through my experience at BDO, I’ve developed a keen interest in the ever-changing commercial environment and how it shapes our clients’ businesses. As an advisor, I work across various industries, helping clients achieve their goals by providing tax and accounting compliance and advisory services.
Being a member of the SCYCC allows me to connect with other young business professionals and share ideas. The Young Chamber has an outstanding balance between being a platform enabling members to connect and socialise and providing valuable opportunities for business referrals and professional development at its events.
