Inspired Business Stories
Local makers, creators and innovators tell their stories and how the Surf Coast has inspired them.
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
Loose Ink Design: Lucy Burke
Meet Lucy Burke, the creative behind Loose Ink Design. She’s a printmaker and illustrator living on the Surf Coast.
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.
Romy Photographer: Romy Becker-Roache
Meet Romy, a talented photographer who has lived in Torquay for 20 years, and was drawn to so many amazing locations for landscape and seascape photography. Her style of photography is very natural and full of life, color and captures raw beauty at her best.
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice-Creamery: Ian and Leanne Neeland
It’s chocolate to the rescue to brighten up Lockdown! The talented Chocolatiers and Pastry Chefs lead by Ian and Leanne Neeland at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie have created choc-loads of ways to bring their Chocolaterie experience to you at home.
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.
The Salty Dog Cafe: James Zocchi
The Salty Dog Cafe is a little hole in the wall situated on Fisherman’s Beach next to the boat ramp and Torquay Angling club. They support local coffee roaster, Ocean Grind, and serve breakfast and lunches all with a view to the sand. And of course... are very dog friendly.... 😃🐶🐕🐕🦺🐩🦮😍
Ipsos Restaurant: Dominic Talimanidis
Dominic Talimanidis runs Ipsos restaurant in Lorne, a Great Ocean Road dining institution known for having the freshest seafood and its refined yet authentic take on traditional Greek food.
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.
Upstate Yoga: Charelle Cuolahan and Gail Asbell
Living on the surf coast is a great source of inspiration for living an active lifestyle. This has inspired us to create our epic community of Upstaters, and become the number destination for online yoga classes in Australia.
Leslie Carvitto Photography
Leslie Carvitto is a local photographer creating vibrant and authentic imagery for female business owners and conscious creatives. She has been honoured to collaborate with incredible women on the Surf Coast who are working for themselves, redefining success and building a creative life they love.
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.
Surf Coast Creatives Podcast: Ben Hucker and Jess Mellington
Ben & Jess are on a mission to bring the stories of creative entrepreneurs to life with the Surf Coast Creatives podcast.
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.
