Inspired Business Stories
Local makers, creators and innovators tell their stories and how the Surf Coast has inspired them.
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.
Great Ocean Road Gin: Ann Houlihan
Great Ocean Road Gin is a small batch, craft gin company in Aireys Inlet producing local gins which feature botanicals and ingredients from the Surf Coast region. Their signature gins have 24 botanicals including coast daisy, salt bush, hop wattle, pigface, kelp, indigenous eucalypts and Surfcoast Honey. These ingredients make their gin truly unique to its location.
Surfcoast Property Stylist: Jackie Zulliger
Founded in May of 2016 by Jackie Zulliger, Surfcoast Property Stylist specialises in staging homes and preparing properties for inspection and sale. Working with the architectural elements of a property and location, Jackie infuses her creativity and coastal-luxe designs to create an outstanding first impression for potential buyers.
Natalie Martin: Watercolour Artist
There’s a good chance you’re familiar with Torquay artist, Natalie Martin’s colourful watercolours, but you probably didn’t know she also juggles work as a graphic designer, teacher, consultant, and an art director.
Ocean Grind - Mark Clatworthy
Ocean Grind is all about fresh roasted, quality coffee. It’s about appreciating the coast and the natural environment. It’s about the allure of the ocean and the grinding waves it produces. Mark Clatworthy began his professional career as a specialist engineer but he found that coffee was his true passion and calling
In the Flow Photography – Britt James
Hi, I’m Britt James, the creator and photographer from the Surf Coast behind In The Flow Photography - a photography business born out of a love for Yoga and wellness. I have expanded into photographing brands and people all across the ‘passion & Purpose’ spectrum.
SeeSea Images: Craig Crosthwaite
My name is Craig Crosthwaite. I’m a photographer from Anglesea. As a kid friends called me “CC” and that became the inspiration for the name SeeSea Images.
Women of Wander: Cassie Harrison
Women of Wander exists to get more women outdoors to connect with themselves, others and nature. They are based in Anglesea and provide guided hiking and canoe journeys, and accommodate women with a variety of skill levels on multi-day adventures, exploring some of Victoria's most beautiful landscapes.
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.
Great Ocean Road Wellness: Lyndelle Flintoft
Great Ocean Road Wellness, better known as GROW, was established 3 years ago. Over this time, it has evolved in many directions with its core values of sustainability, wholesome food and community always at the forefront. It has become an Anglesea go-to for homemade organic food, great coffee and the place to buy bulk wholefoods and locally sourced products.
Cinnamonsart: Cinnamon and Rowan Stephens
Cinnamon and Rowan Stephens produce creative metalwork suitable for indoors, gardens, made to be worn or to adorn your home. They are inspired by their natural environment and love to call Anglesea home. Their most recent work includes architectural screens that bring wall sized metal art designs to gates, security doors and windows.
Surfcoast Electrics: Chris Lahiff
Chris Lahiff started Surfcoast Electrics in Torquay in 1996 with a goal to make every customer a repeat one. They specialise in “epic” lighting solutions and all home theatre set ups in both residential and commercial projects.
Ash Hughes Photography
Ash Hughes is a passionate local photographer capable of capturing both vertigo-inducing and striking images of the Surf Coast. His spectacular landscape images – captured both with a hand-held camera and a drone – soon attracted a loyal Instagram following of almost 10,000 fans.
Onda Food House: Carli Setchell
Onda Food House is a coastal cafe that has just celebated its fourth birthday. It is that one you can see from the Great Ocean Road in Aireys Inlet overlooking Painkalac Creek. Carli Setchell, owner of Onda focuses on selling good coffee while using fresh seasonal produce to provide delicious and wholesome food ideas.
Grand Slam Physiotherapy: Ben & Belinda Herde
Grand Slam Physiotherapy was built on a foundation treating international sporting stars to deliver world class physiotherapy care to the local community. Ben Herde co-founded the business with his wife, Belinda, whom he met while working on the professional tennis circuit.
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.
