Join us to celebrate International Women's Day as we speak to the inspiring female founders of some of your favourite local businesses at Westfield Kotara. We asked each of them what the inspiration was to start their business, what International Women's Day means to them, what's their career highlight and what advice do they have for future female entrepreneurs. We are lucky to have some incredible women running businesses in centre and we hope you enjoy hearing their stories and advice.

Meet Helen of Carla Swimwear

What inspired you to start your own business?
Sitting on a perfect beach on an incredible Greek island 20 years ago, I knew I wanted to have my own businesses. I had dreamed about it since I was a little girl and subconsciously worked my way toward it, making and selling fashion accessories and jewellery as a pre-teen, taking coastal landscape photos, and selling the framed prints as a teenager.
I had been around Carla Swimwear and my mother’s other fashion stores since I can remember and worked in them as soon as I was old enough until I found my career in accounting and then corporate sales. But that particular year in Greece, I was looking for change and a move back to Newcastle from a stint working in Sydney and Carla Swimwear was to be my new project. I threw everything I had into Carla's - my money, my time, my energy, my everything. Every waking moment was either serving customers on the shop floor, seeing swimwear brands, and buying stock, merchandising the store, or making the business more efficient. More than anything I'm sure I longed for creativity and freedom in what I was doing and being an independently owned business, I have had the freedom to move it in any direction that I wanted.
Over the years my customers have grown with me and come along on my journey, with the product offering changing and evolving and staying exciting. My creative journey has continued through Carla Swimwear to now include my jewellery and accessories line called Aegeanblue, a uniquely styled sterling silver collection made in Europe and inspired by where it all began, the Greek Islands.

What has been the highlight of your career?
This year is my 20th year in business and I'm a focused and highly motivated person, so I've kicked lots of business goals over the years all while raising three incredible young children. I've absolutely loved holding fashion events in Newcastle; bringing designers and international models here to meet and chat with my customers and weathered the storm of Covid over the last few years. It's always a highlight for me being asked to consult with the designers on their upcoming swim fashion ranges and seeing the growth of my own brand of jewellery.
It’s incredible to me that after all these years that there’s still so much more room for Carla's to continue to evolve and grow and help more and more women.

What advice would you give women who aspire to be their own boss and run their own business?
Follow your gut instincts, block out unwanted noise around you as others will change your course if you let them. Set unrealistic goals and strive to get to them. Don’t beat yourself up if you fall short - keep striving. Surround yourself with incredible and trustworthy people with their own talents who have got your back. Fully expect to put in the hard work and hours, your business deserves the best attention you can afford it. Remember it is your baby, the more you put in, the more your business will thrive. Keep fluid, change with the trends and technology but don’t forget who are your most important customers and service them well. Back yourself 100%.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I LOVE celebrating women and their wins. From the bottom of my heart, I think that women of all walks of life deserve appreciation and praise for who they truly are and what they do. I see women every day in the dressing room second guessing themselves in front of the mirror, wishing they were different or feeling vulnerable in some way. Feeling upset that they are no longer the size, shape, or age that they remember themselves as and they need reminding that they are wonderful the way they are. I wish women could look in the mirror and, in their reflection, see their generosity, their kindness, love and strength, and the way they are loved by others. The best part of my job is helping women every day to see how incredible they can feel and get a smile on their face. We should be championing all women - the corporate game changes and health workers, volunteers, home makers and everyone who plays a role in between. Every woman that is doing her best to make the lives of those around her better. Women who show love without expectation and are bold and brave enough to shake up industries. Strong enough to raise good children and stand beside their life partners or friends. International Women’s Day is an opportunity for voices to be heard, status quo to be questioned, for men and women to stand together and get behind charities that help others and shine a light on parts of society that are usually uncomfortable and in need of open discussion.

Find Carla Swimwear on Level 2 near JB HiFi. See more here >

Meet Geneane of Gallerie Fine Jewellery

What inspired you to start your own business?
I desired creative freedom, financial independence, and the opportunity to share my passion for beautiful, unique, and meaningful jewellery.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women's Day means recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women worldwide, while also advocating for gender equality and addressing ongoing challenges faced by women.

What has been the highlight of your career?
Winning an Australian jewellery designer award is a great achievement and the highlight of my career

What advice would you give women who aspire to be their own boss and run their own business?
To women who aspire to be their own boss and start their own business, my advice would be to believe in themselves, have a clear vision and plan, do thorough research, seek advice from mentors, and be persistent and adaptable. With hard work and determination, success is achievable.

Find Gallerie Fine Jewellery on Level 2 near Witchery. See more here >

What inspired you to start your own business?
Call me the accidental Business Owner. I was approached to help a wholesaler go retail. The product was not aligned to what the customer wanted . So with a lease and a store to fill we parted ways and I went out to source products that were modern, fun and flexible for the busy women.

What does International Women's day mean to you?
It is a special day where women are acknowledged for their contribution. Women before us that inspire us to be the best we can be is a blessing.

What has been the highlight of your career?
When we found what our purpose was as a business. We noticed women coming in daily not liking themselves in the fashion space. So we decided to promote self love within the changerooms. Decals with positive affirmations , staff building up our customers with care and understanding. Women give a lot in their daily lives to family and work life and sometimes they forget to love themselves.

What advice would you give women who aspire to be their own boss and run their own business?
Enjoy the journey and be kind and respectful to all the relationships within the business as you need a team to be successful. You can't do it on your own and you don't want to be on a mountain by yourself. Bring people with you. To build your business around doing good.

Find Privvy on Level 2 opposite Platypus Shoes. See more here >

Meet Kylie of Savant Apothecary

What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by the whole concept of building something meaningful. Building a business that arose from putting my ideas and beliefs into action. Inspired by learning; what it is like to build what will be a large organisation while keeping those original ideas and beliefs alive.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women's Day is day where women can see women in action. To see how many of us are out there changing the world in our own way.

What has been the highlight of your career?
My highlight... I’m not one for highlights really as each step has been so engrossing that the whole journey is the highlight. My quiet “wow” moments come from stepping back and seeing how many staff my business is sustaining or what big volumes of ingredients we now order or how much Luminous we have made and people have taken home. It’s a sensation of pride, fear, excitement and drive that is hard to fully put into words.

What advice would you give women who aspire to be their own boss and run their own business?
Fear is good, don’t let it stop you. Keep going don’t give up. Allow yourself time to think and time to dream, that is where the magic is, then have the tenacity to bring that to life.

Find Savant Apothecary on Level 2 near Mimco. See more here >

Meet Lori and Belinda of The Jones Girls Collection

What inspired you to start your own business?
As a result of entrepreneurial foresight, starting in a family run Newsagency - we decided to manage the negative impacts of impending industry deregulation.
The Jones Girls brand was established to showcase an amazing collection of beautiful things that we knew customers would love! Starting a business can be daunting. But when your heart is invested – it has the very best chance to succeed!

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is clearly a celebration of social, economic, cultural, and political achievement. It also marks the acceleration of women’s equality.
But to me – International Women’s Day is just about EMPOWERING women. We can juggle many hats and are gifted with incredible drive, ambition, creative flair, and world view. We have a voice and amazing talent and it’s great to showcase that to the world.

What has been the highlight of your career?
We both have many achievements in education and business alike, but nothing beats the ability to juggle MUM life and a business at the same time! I (Lori) am mum to 5 beautiful children and Belinda (my sister) has 2 gorgeous kids! Whilst these children are our ‘everything’, our sense of achievement comes as we continue to work in business and juggle the kids as well. It’s like we can have our cake and eat it too!

What advice would you give women who aspire to be their own boss and run their own business?
If I could suggest anything it would be “Discover your purpose” / “Pursue the passion” and then “Share this with the world”.
It’s time for women to acquire the quality of life they want and deserve.
“Have a go” and know that all of us are cheering you on to succeed!

Find The Jones Girls Collection on Level 1 near Lowes. See more here >

Meet Kate of Zebra Finch

What inspired you to start your own business?
Zebra Finch was started due my family’s belief in my abilities after noticing a gap in the market. I have a strong background in Early Childhood Education, and I saw Zebra Finch as a creative outlet to curate environments for adults but also have a strong emphasis on quality open ended toys, resources and exquisite books to truly inspire the little or sometimes big people in our lives. A focus on colour, fun and a space where customers can immerse themselves into the Zebra Finch environment.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Well to that I say - why is it only one day? There is so much to celebrate about strong women, and I want to celebrate that every day. It is however a nice little reminder to be thankful for all the amazing women in both my personal and business life. We source so many of our products from both local and Australia wide from some amazing women start-ups. It is often these bright little sparks that make our shop so special and unique. Aromatherapy goods from Ennia at Fleurette, Miniland doll clothes made exclusively for us by local Rosemary at Miss Alice, amazing one off bags from the incredible Tiff Manuel from TIFF, Gorgeouse handmade earrings making their way into store this week from Kirsten from Each to Own and Jemima from Kingston, plus you will also spot some locally sewn fashion from Eloise from Alice and Bowie that worked with us for many years.

What has been the highlight of your career?
Some of my highlights might seem trivial but I like to celebrate the small things so even having business cards, bags and gift vouchers printed have filled me with excitement and pride. Reaching and celebrating 10 years in business. Establishing relationships along the way with some wonderful customers and suppliers. Having an amazing team that always has my back. Establishing another outlet and an online presence.

What advice would you give women who aspire to be their own boss and run their own business?
You need a whole bunch of amazing colleagues to make your vision work because you can't do it all - trust me from my own experience. Just a little additional note; I could not have achieved any of this without laughter, smiles and tears and some very strong supporters in both my family and friends.

Find Zebra Finch on Level 2 near The Athlete's Foot. See more here >