Wonder women
RECOGNISING THE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOLD COAST WOMEN.
Cheryl Stewart
With phenomenal dedication to her profession, working in the industry since she was 12 years old, Cheryl Stewart is an expert on the dietary supplement/food industry. “I’m passionate about wellness,” she states. “After spending countless hours on many courses over the years, it is my mission to get others onto a wellness journey too.
Georgina Manton
An impressive career in media sales was underpinned by cutting her teeth on crew training at McDonalds, where Georgina began her working career, aged 14.
“Never do I stop learning and never do I think I know it all. Currently I am studying neuromarketing. It’s really fascinating!”
“I always wanted to become a Channel 9 News presenter or work in Public Relations, but when I realised earning money was more fun than studying, I jumped straight into the workforce and got a job at Gold Coast Bulletin,” she says.
Export and Business Development Manager for Morlife, Cheryl established the business in 2000, based on the Gold Coast “because of our beautiful beaches and lifestyle, which were a good fit for our wellness business”.
That position in advertising sales propelled her to The Courier Mail and Sunday Mail in Brisbane, where she headed up the sales department responsible for the TV Guide.
Over the years, her role in the business has evolved. “In the early days I was a jack of all trades from reception, to sales, to placing orders,” she recounts. “As we grew, I did major Australian sales and headed the private label side of our business. Six years ago our Export Manager moved on so I fell into it by default. “I’m always humbled to see our products on supermarkets shelves throughout the Middle East, Asia and New Zealand.” After more than two decades driving the business, Cheryl says her “absolute ‘wow’ moment” in her career was winning Gold Coast Business Woman of the Year in 2018. “Never in a million years did I feel that this was possible. I didn’t go to Uni. I never saw myself as someone supersmart, but I do know that I am driven and nothing stops me when I have a goal in mind.” Today, Morlife is a one stop shop with all the company’s talent employed at its purpose-built facility in Arundel. “In-house we have our graphics team, photographers, food stylist department, research department, laboratory testing, marketing team, social media department, production team and sales teams. “Our customers are our family. As they move to wellness, they are our best advocates.” More at morlife.com
“That was when it was Queensland’s number one reference guide,” she explains. “It had a massive readership and therefore it was expensive for advertisers with one full page advertisement costing approximately $16,000. At the time, I used to joke to clients they could buy one page in the TV Guide or a Holden Barina.” But her heart led her back to the Gold Coast and Georgina was promoted to Entertainment Manager, overseeing a team that looked after all facets of newspaper advertising for the entertainment industry on the Gold Coast. During that time, she married and shortly after was pregnant with their first child. “Expecting to return to work after my maternity leave I realised how much I enjoyed being a mum and decided to put my career on hold to raise my children.” Fast track 14 years and two more children: Ava 14, Jack 12 and James 9, and Georgina has decided to return to work, harnessing her talents and communication skills. “Belvedere Main Beach has given me the chance to return to sales, this time in property.” A development of the Winten Property Group, a family-owned business founded in 1972 by the Rothwell family, Belvedere is planned for a 2,655-square-metre block, making it the largest new residential site in Main Beach. With its resort style amenities, Belvedere will feature 127 Apartments including, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, villas and sky homes. More at belvederemainbeach.com.au
32 slim magazine winter 2021
