Gold Coast Wonder Women celebrating our high achievers

Wonder women

RECOGNISING THE WORK AND

ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOLD COAST WOMEN. Deb FarnworthWood

Katrina Sanguigno

Katrina Sanguigno is a dynamic communications dynamo, Director of Jumpstart PR, who’s known for her creativity and ability to connect clients with their markets. The creative powerhouse has been working in marketing for 23 years, starting at international behemoth brand, Hard Rock Café and rising through the ranks to become Domestic Marketing Manager (Australia and New Zealand) at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Redundancy propelled her to make the leap into starting her own consultancy. “Whilst I was initially nervous and somewhat apprehensive about starting my own business, I was thankful to the support I received from many tourism operators on the Gold Coast. As they say, ‘one door closes, another one opens’, and I was very lucky and blessed that many doors opened.” In 2016, Katrina took a few years off for personal reasons and then in 2020, decided it was time to “jumpstart” her career again. “Starting up my business again, really has been like riding a bike. It hasn’t taken long to reconnect with many business associates and friends or establish new connections.” Besides her formidable network, Katrina’s advantage is her ability to “think outside the box, find that point of difference and deliver something special”. “I enjoy seeing results when everything comes together. The buzz that the client receives when they see their news story on TV, hear it on the radio or when they see it in a magazine or newspaper, is amazing. I love that, knowing that all the hard work A familiar face in business and community philanthropy, Deb Farnworth-Wood still pinches herself when she sees a kangaroo and revels in the sunshine and opportunity of living in Australia. “We moved here from the UK in 2007 to retire, but it didn’t unfold like that,” she recounts. “My husband and I bought the original Australian Skin Clinic and within a few months I realised I wasn’t ready to retire and decided to franchise the clinic instead. “I sold the Australian Skin Clinic franchise in 2019 although I kept the original clinic (now called Ultimate Skin and Body Clinics). I also bought a men’s skincare range (Valor Organics) in 2019 and in 2020 I bought the mineral makeup company Issada Cosmetics.” Deb has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and vision that put her a step or two ahead of market trends. “Before moving to Australia I had an 18-year background in health as the managing partner of a large multi-disciplinary medical centre. I was the first non-GP to become a partner in a UK medical practice and we

and effort has paid off.” With a background working across various industries, including film, tourism, hospitality, beauty and sport, Katrina currently works on PR campaigns for Bermingham Books and several published authors and titles, as well as the award-winning short film, “Seven Times - A Domestic Violence Story”.

“I am passionate about what is happening in the domestic violence sector,” she explains. “I have been involved in raising much needed funds and awareness to help women escape toxic and abusive relationships. Through my work with Seven Times Short Film, I have been able to assist in fundraising for RizeUp Australia at the recent Seven Times Ipswich Premiere and will have another opportunity at the upcoming Gold Coast Seven Times Premiere, 5 November at Event Cinemas, Pacific Fair.” Firmly focused on her business, yet content to “go with the flow” wherever her career leads her, Katrina says she’s equally happy being a wife and mum to two teenagers and a dog named Wookiee. “I’m at a point in my life where I’m loving the clients I work with, and I am happy to see where it all leads. The next chapter is yet to be written.”

jumpstartpr.com.au

were the first non-pharmacist group to own a pharmacy then we also opened England’s first pharmacy drive-thru. “I was really keen to get into aesthetics and we had a fledgling aesthetic clinic offering injectables and a few treatments. But my husband wanted the two of us to retire to Australia. So we moved here.” Close to 15 years later, and the Clinic has undergone many changes, essential to keep pace with technological advancements, treatment trends and customer demand. “We have treated over 30,000 clients and some of our clients have been coming back for over 20 years, since before I even owned the clinic. “We offer a boutique experience and because we are not in a shopping centre we have a private, discrete location which people love.” Business success has earned Deb a slew of Awards and recognition, including listing in the BRW Fast starters in 2014 and 2015 and in the BRW Fast list in 2016 “I was a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards in 2016 and won the Gold Coast Woman in Business Award in 2017.” All these achievements are great for the brand profile and reward for hard work, but they don’t come close to the sense of satisfaction Deb feels from the close connections with her clients and their sense of self-worth. “There is a huge link between how we look and how we feel,” she explains. “I love that my businesses are all about making people look and feel fabulous. “I constantly set myself new challenges, usually to grow each business bigger than the last. Although I’ve only owned Issada a little over a year, we have achieved more than we could have imagined. Many of my team have worked with me for years and understand my core values and what needs to be done. We have completed a full rebranding exercise, launched Issada Clinical Formula Skincare and expanded our customer base significantly. We are currently moving into a bigger factory in readiness for further growth.” Charity and supporting women in business are equally important to Deb. “In the business community I help female start-ups with advice and guidance where I can and I also serve on a couple of boards and advisory boards. I support several charities including Support the Girls, Gold Coast Christmas lunch and several children and wildlife charities.”

www.issada.com www.ultimateskinandbody.com.au www.shavewithvalor.com

From activewear to art exhibitions, Rebecca Pask has applied her marketing mind to creating every facet of brand and message delivery.

As Rebecca explains, “I was a retail exec for many years, most recently the National Manager of the women’s activewear brand, Rockwear. I build brands! I love the commercial and boutique market, from product to design, advertising campaigns, store fitouts and the marketing process. “I am most proud of building the Rockwear brand and culture and all that I achieved with my teams. I built it on empowering women, showing them how to be their best, live their best life and contribute to the wider community. “Retail and Branding has always been in my blood. Time to brainstorm during lockdown pushed me to start my own brand, PASK MEDIA. Now I can bring many brands to life!” Originally from Melbourne, this highenergy, high-ambition company director is as Gold Coast as you can get and thrives on the diversity and variety of her clients. “Through my three departments, Media, Models, and Events we have end-to-end solutions to build, relaunch or grow brands,” she says. “The media agency covers all things from website, design, social media, photography and videography. The modelling agency is based on inclusion and diversity and I am so proud of what we have already achieved in

Sonya Driver

Sonya Driver is the visionary behind the internationally recognised brand, EcoTan, a favourite of women and men, from celebs and school mums to people with sensitive skin.

Prior to founding EcoTan, Sonya worked in hairdressing and as a flight attendant, always with a head for business and entrepreneurial energy.

As she explains, “The day I finished my apprenticeship I opened a salon at 21 and employed four staff. Then I moved to the big smoke and became an international flight attendant with Qantas. I travelled the world and loved every second of it.” this space. We are big advocates for models with disability and models with a story. I love that my modelling agency services my Media Agency clients with real, relatable and local faces to support their brands’ needs. “And then there’s our events agency, which brings the sparkle to any event with our ‘PASK PAPARAZZI’ production team.” But it wasn’t all easy breezy, in fact, it was more like giving birth, says Rebecca. “The many months in nappies as a newborn business; long nights, tedious days, many challenges in the current climate like many other local businesses. We are still getting through the toddler stage, and it’s growing quickly into a reputable ‘go to’ Gold Coast agency that our locals know and trust. “It is an ever-evolving beast as I move where our locals need us service wise. We are here to support them first and foremost to build their brands.” With a focus on women, Rebecca is committed to sharing her professional expertise and acumen. “I live for supporting women and showing them what is possible. I have been a single mum for eight of the nine years of my beautiful daughter’s life. I have walked the walk, I have lived with challenge and adversity, I now support women in need through my resources. “Today, I help them get back on their feet through building their brand, or providing them photoshoots for their new journey, or connecting them with resources needed to support them. I am proud of the opportunities I have provided some of my very special models, from experiencing their dreams and finding opportunities they never thought they could achieve; wheelchair models on catwalks, women saved from Domestic Violence situations, they all know my door is always open to them for resource, support or a hug.” The perfect antidote to the hectic whirl of creative commitments, the Gold Coast lifestyle energises Rebecca.

“When you work hard through the week, you can be on holiday every weekend. I live on the water, paddle board, socialise and bushwalk and the beauty is, we can do ALL this in one weekend on our gorgeous GC.” With Rebecca at the helm, the talented team at PASK MEDIA is poised for growth. “Our plans are to continue to grow and support our local community and economy. With the world so uncertain in so many areas we are staying focused, in our own lane and looking after our own backyard. “We do have some large brand campaigns and Art Exhibitions hitting the market soon, so stay tuned, PASK MEDIA is always sparkling away on our gorgeous GC.”

paskmedia.com.au

It was the plight of her younger sister, Rachael that diverted Sonya’s career path and spurred her on to global success.

“My sister was diagnosed with a melanoma at the age of 30 and had a nasty scar on her arm. Of course, she was super sun-conscious. She wanted to get a spray tan and we were concerned about the ingredients seeping into her blood stream. So, I researched my heart out and started buying samples of organic ingredients and mixing it in my kitchen.”

That tiny yet determined foray into chemistry has evolved to become a major player in the organic and beauty sector, winner of so many awards and achievements Sonya has simply lost count.

“Last year we won Best Sustainable Beauty Brand in the UK Awards, which was massive for us. We recently won Best Organic Beauty Brand again in Europe. I also won Best Health Book in 2019 for my business book called ‘The Nudge’, which reveals some of my secrets to founding a raw organic business.” most proud of creating organic products that are life-changing for so many people through her not-for-profit foundation Miracle Made, a grass roots charity with projects that support people in our community providing safe shelter, clothing, food, medical and education.

“We also have projects with domestic violence sanctuaries. In many cases, those fleeing domestic violence leave with nothing, we help provide the school needs for children to not feel shame to return to school and whatever else that will empower that family to heal and thrive.

“I also love people seeing a difference in their skin due to my products. I employ 45 locals and I try my best to create a fabulous, rewarding career for them. Many of my team have been with me for seven-plus years.”

Looking ahead to the next phase of EcoTan and expansion of her brand into all-natural make-up, Sonya says even she doesn’t know what might come next.

“I can feel a shift starting and I’m excited about it. You never know what I will do next. I'm unpredictable, even to myself!”

ecotan.com.au