Inspired Business Stories
Local makers, creators and innovators tell their stories and how the Surf Coast has inspired them.
From Around Here: Mandy Entwistle
Mandy is a Geelong Local that has slowly moved further down the coast and has tried her hand at many things.
From Around Here is a curation of lifestyle gifts, fashion, plants, homewares, food, wine and spirits for the mindful consumer who wants to truly buy locally made goods from within the region we live
In the Skies: Anna McIldowie and Simon Holloway
In a vine covered lane, at the start of Mountjoy Parade, you will find In the Skies Art and Music store. Opened in October 2020, it is a family run business by Anna McIldowie and Simon Holloway.
She is Earth: Sarah Elise
Sarah Elise, founder of She is Earth, has been using essential oils for as long as she can remember. As she became more aware of the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical benefits, she began to create her own blends to share with family, friends and her children.
Winki Zinc: Belinda Sharrok
A small local business with a big smiley heart. Winki Zinc is a range of tinted SPF 30 sun balms that are sustainable, non-toxic and made right here in Australia.
Torquay Merchant: Suzzanne Roberts and Kara Faganel
Torquay Merchant is a curated, lifestyle emporium by mother and daughter team Suzzanne Roberts and Kara Faganel, who are passionate about mindfully selecting and sourcing ethically distinctive wares. “People often refer to it as the hidden gem full of all things fashion, home, furniture, lifestyle and wellness” says Kara.
Okki & OkkiD: Fiona McPherson
Okki womenswear was born in 2016, with a dream to create a women’s denim collection using the highest quality fabrics. The brand was the evolution in her fashion career as a designer, after creating the successful childrenswear label Oishi-M. In 2020, Okki-D was launched, the kidswear version of Okki.
Tribe Skincare: Kayla Houlihan
Tribe Skincare is a natural, vegan-friendly, Australian-made skincare range, based in Torquay. Created by Kayla Houlihan in 2017, when she identified a gap in the skincare market for products and a skincare routine to specifically target sensitive skin. The product range is designed to reduce facial redness, minimize breakouts and relieve dry patches and eczema.
Fern & Gum: Caroline Shelbourne
Fern and Gum provides a collection of thoughtfully curated gift boxes that showcase the incredible producers of the Otway region. Caroline Shelbourne partners with more than 30 local producers to create ready-to-send gifts that can be ordered online.
Hygge:Liv - Catherine Stocks and Erin Hughes
Hygge is a Danish word that means cosiness and comfort, which was the driving force behind Hygge:liv created by Moggs Creek Stylist, Catherine Stocks and Jan Juc Creative Erin Hughes. Friends for over 16 years, with a mutual love of design and interiors, they came together in 2019 to create a luxe, one of a kind cushion collection, sourcing the highest quality unused fabrics, with a mission to reduce landfill.
Retreat Yourself: Kate Williams
Founded in 2015 by Kate Williams, Retreat Yourself is a subscription based business dedicated to helping people find joy and fulfilment in their daily lives by prioritising their health, well-being and ultimately themselves.
This is Incense: Sophie Marshall and Simon MacGregor
One year in, This Is Incense has gone from a side project, to a growing business for Torquay locals Sophie Marshall and Simon MacGregor. Their incense range is made from Australian Essentials oils, inspired by their most loved Australian places; Bells Beach, Byron Bay and Margaret River. So far, the most popular scent has been Byron, always selling out first, but as Sophie tells us “scents are so personal, everyone has their own favourite
Black Salt Co.: Amber and Jenny Foster
Black Salt Co was founded by Amber and Jenny Foster, a dynamic mother and daughter duo who love travel and design. Together they have created a coastal, luxe homewares and lifestyle brand with an online store and showroom in Torquay.
BodyICE: Lydia Lassila
BodyICE specialises in area specific ice and heat packs to help people of all ages recover naturally from their injuries with simple cold and heat therapy. Lydia Lassila, founder of BodyICE spent most of her life as an elite athlete and went to five consecutive Winter Olympics as an Aerial Skier.
Deluxe Lorne: Renea Forsyth
Renea Forsyth founded Deluxe Lorne in November 2000, bringing the best Australian and international designer fashion labels to a client base that now extends across the Surf Coast region.
Yogi Peace Club: Emma Barr
The beaches and the lifestyle are in inspiration to my brand. Living on the Surf Coast and being healthy is just a way of life. My aim is for Yogi Peace Club to create yoga products that inspire the inner yogi in all of us.
Boardsox: Sarah & Dan O’Connell
We saw a gap for surfboard covers to be developed that were made of premium materials and a little funkier and fun - seemed like a pretty logical progression of our creativity as surfers.
More Inspired stories coming soon…
There are so many stories to tell about the Surf Coast’s local makers, creators and entrepreneurs. See how you can get involved.
