7 minute read
Gold Coast Wonder Women celebrating our high achievers
RECOGNISING THE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOLD COAST WOMEN.Wonder women
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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. “Never do I stop learning and never do I think I know it all. Currently I am studying neuromarketing. It’s really fascinating!” 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”. 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
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. “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. 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. “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
Abbi Golightly
Born and raised in Oxenford, when it was green pastures and considered ‘remote’ from the action along the Glitter Strip, Abbi Golightly is Partner at OMB Solicitors, heading OMB family law which is a full-service family law department within OMB Solicitors. “I studied at the Queensland University of Technology starting at just 17 as one of the youngest in my grade. I did a double degree in Justice Studies Studies and Law. I subsequently did my Masters in Applied Law through the College of Law.” Abbi undertook her Specialist accreditation in 2009 and has been a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist since. She’s regularly named on the prestigious Doyle’s Guide as a Recommended Family Lawyer on the Gold Coast and regional Queensland area specifically in complex parenting disputes. “I would say that my career highlight to date was my first surrogacy matter concluding in a Parentage Order hearing where the Children’s Court Judge had all parties and the baby in court and everyone was crying with joy.” “They were all close friends of mine and the fact I was able to see the personal and legal matters finished was so emotional. At that stage surrogacy had only been legal in Queensland for a little over 18 months so we were one of the very first matters to be concluded in the courts.” Key to Abbi’s advocacy is providing free initial consultations in person or via the phone. “This ensures everyone, no matter their financial circumstances can at least get some initial advice,” she explains. Abbi mentors junior lawyers through the Gold Coast District Law Association and Women Lawyers Association of Queensland. “I also support junior lawyers through the Family Law Clinic at Bond University offering placements for a semester to undertake work experience.” Outside her work as a Lawyer, she regularly volunteers at the Animal Welfare League and is a tireless volunteer at her daughter’s sports clubs, usually as the photographer capturing the action over the season. The best thing about living and working on the Gold Coast, according to Abbi, is the “small town vibe” mixed with “big city professionalism”. “Family Law is such a personal area of law and I find that being on the Gold Coast, with a more relaxed approach to office life, I can relax my clients and get them feeling comfortable and at peace when speaking with me about often the most traumatic event they have or will go through.”
More at omb.com.au
Sonia Stradiotto
Sonia Stradiotto is the Creative Director, CEO and Founder of Sonia Stradiotto Couture, celebrating 30 years in business. Sonia Stradiotto is an achiever and a visionary in the cutthroat sphere of fashion, staking her claim in a niche segment of the industry, determined to keep alive the art of bespoke tailoring in the 21st century. Specialising in clothing with that “wow factor”, Sonia specialises in fashion with cultural sensitivity, anti-ageing body contour technology, post-operative support, (such as breast cancer patients) and uplifting women who have been through trauma or life changing events. “To truly understand one another we too must have been through our own journey of hardship, which can only make us all stronger.” As an Independent Consultant, Multi Award Winning Designer and Optus Young Hero Small Business Winner, and innovator in her industry, Sonia has had to weather the highs and lows of economic and social changes. “The Fashion Industry suffered a huge blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My company closed to isolate and protect my team and clients. I am so grateful that everyone we know is safe. We cannot change the world’s uncertainty, but we can remain positive, creative and adapt. I firmly preach ‘In the event of misfortune lies opportunity’. “We no longer trade our normal walk-in retail. We have returned to appointment only, which is how we started 30 years ago. What is new is actually old and reformulated. During this time, we’ve got your back, your front, and your sides for all your special occasions and milestones. We created a system called #ssc2u and this has been awesome because the marketing you do in your business today is your investment for tomorrow’s return.” Sonia believes that her company is not about selling garments, but rather a community of “women who dare”; dare to be bold, dare to make a difference, dare to rebuild, dare to reinvent, and dare to dream. “As women, let us leave no one behind and cherish the sisterhood of those around us whether friends, followers or colleagues.”
