WE Connect. WE Inspire. WE Grow.

‘WE Shine’ is a unique event designed to connect and inspire business women of the Wheatbelt and is run every 18 months.

The ‘WE Shine’ speaker line up showcases some of Australia’s leading female entrepreneurs, sharing their skills and knowledge to encourage Wheatbelt women to unlock their own strengths and business talents.

The 2019 event focus was hands-on, with participants working on their business with a practical focus to solve a problem or learn a new skill. The afternoon saw the participants break into small workshops of varying topics to do practical work on their business planning and/or operation.

The day finished off with a networking sundowner in the award-winning Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre, which has been made primarily of wood.

The 2019 Keynote Speakers were:

Helen Marshall

Helen Marshall, Founder, Primal Alternative

Helen Marshall is a certified Primal Health Coach & founder of the grain free food range Primal Alternative. Helen hosts the Primal Alternative Podcast on the Wellness Couch which is the number one ranked health and wellness podcast station in Australia. She is a Motivational Speaker on grass roots community centric change, overcoming limiting beliefs and creating an exceptional life.

Helen qualified as a Primal Health Coach to let other women know that they were not on their own on their health journey and that they too could reclaim their health and change their life just with some diet and lifestyle tweaks and community behind them.

But she got kick back, Helen’s clients told her that going grain free was hard – their were time poor and found themselves falling off the wagon. People found it hard to go without pizza, bread, cookies and lollies. So Helen offered to create a range of Primal Alternatives to the foods people love to make going grain free easy.

Helen was told that her products were life changing and she felt compelled to get the range to the whole of Australia but the thought of factories didn’t light her up and besides – she didn’t have any capital.

Helen was inspired to share her successful baking business so that other women with a passion for clean living could start their own home business, doing what they love and make a difference in their community.

The Primalista Baking License launched on Boxing Day 2016 and to date over 100 incredible women have said yes to this opportunity. Primal Alternative now has an online store and over 150 stockists across Australia.

In 2017 Quirky Cooking collaborated with Primal Alternative to bring a ready made version of their Life Changing Dough to the community.

In 2018 Primal Alternative collaborated with Chef Pete Evans to bring a lunch box friendly No Nut Hemp Bread and in 2019 the No Nut Hemp Wrap.

Before ditching the rat race, Helen was a Fitness Instructor and Personal trainer then a Business Manager for a leading recruitment company in the city. Helen has worked with women all of her life listening to their desires around health, work and lifestyle and has combined those skills to bring her greatest contribution yet – the Primalista Baking Licence.

After working remotely for a Sydney based corporation, the concept of Pointer evolved as Founder Jo Palmer looked at her network of highly qualified, professional friends who were living in rural areas.

She recognised that there was a talent pool that the Australian workforce was missing out on as there was no easy way to connect with these professionals.

Jo is passionate about connecting, educating and empowering rural businesses so they can access the skills and experience they need to grow tapping into this talent pool.

Jo was the winner 2019 National AgriFuture Rural Woman of the Year. She was the winner of the Regional Contribution Award at the 2017 Soar Awards. She was also a Finalist in the Regional Australia Institute’s Lightbulb Moments and Regional Online Heroes Competitions in 2017 and the Startup Superstar and Young Entrepreneur Awards at the 2017 and 2018 Crow Awards.

Jo Palmer

Jo Palmer, Founder, Pointer Remote Roles NSW

Gertrude Wellese

Gertrude Wellese (aka Liz Jack), MC

Our MC for the day is the effervescent Gertrude Wellease, otherwise known as Liz Jack.

With a focus on community development, Liz brings proven experience in sustainable tourism both locally and internationally and as a well-regarded community engagement facilitator to the public and private sector. Liz also currently manages the Denmark Chamber of Commerce as CEO

Prior to this, and after working within the tourism, community development and tertiary education sectors in the south west region, Liz established the first specialist regional tourism consultancy in Western Australia in 1996 which still operates today.

To compliment this and to exercise her creativity, she is a presenter, workshop facilitator, singer, and master of ceremonies which she offers both in the role of Gertrude WellEase, and as herself. Gertrude’s unique skills extend to improvised street theatre, song writing and singing; she is also a crowd ring-master and “mobile mouth on a stick”.

Afternoon Workshops

Expanding your Tourism Network.

Tools for collaboration and building your tourism network to maximise the visitor experience and expand your reach

Liz Jack

Liz Jack

With a focus on community development, Liz brings proven experience in sustainable tourism both locally and internationally and as a well-regarded community engagement facilitator to the public and private sector. She also currently manages the Denmark Chamber of Commerce as CEO

Prior to this, and after working within the tourism, community development and tertiary education sectors in the south west region, Liz established the first specialist regional tourism consultancy in Western Australia in 1996 which still operates today.

‘Strategy SMASH’

what’s your game plan for growth?

Rachael and Amanda

Amanda Walker and Rachael Thomas

Originally a science graduate, Amanda brings her analytic skills to the Board and a keen eye for data. She works alongside her husband managing two businesses – a shop front and an online business and understands how to improve and grow business in the Wheatbelt. She is a strong advocate for business in the region and looks to the bigger picture when approaching challenges. Amanda is also on the Wheatbelt Development Commission Board.

Rachael successfully ran Pre-emptive Strike with her husband in Albany for almost 20 years. An Information Technology and computer support business it was also complemented by their second business Strike Point, a graphic design and printing business. Pre-emptive Strike sold earlier this year and Rachael, with the help of her incredible team, continues to run Strike Point remotely. Rachael has vast experience in corporate branding, marketing and online promotion of businesses, as well as business systems and succession planning.

Communicating Your Business Value

Identify your value proposition and how its sets you apart from other businesses, then learn to translate these messages into various parts of your business.

Caroline Robinson

Caroline Robinson

Founder of the WBN, Caroline is responsible for the strategic direction of the WBN and is the lead for the consultancy unit.

She enjoys helping members connect and grow and has strengths in strategic planning, governance and community facilitation.

Lifestyle Design

Creating an awesome business lifestyle in the NOW and developing an exciting vision for the future. Goal setting and forward planning.

Helen Marshall

Helen Marshall, Primal Alternative

Helen is the Founder of a grain free food range Primal Alternative, she is also a health coach and advocate for living your best life. Helen hosts the Primal Alternative Podcast on the Wellness Couch which is the number one ranked health and wellness podcast station in Australia.

Helen was inspired to franchise her successful baking business so that other women with a passion for clean living could start their own home business, doing what they love and make a difference in their community.

Staff Planning and Resourcing

If you are planning for growth or seeking to add an element of agility and flexibility to different roles, Jo Palmer of Pointer can assist you to identify when you need staff and how to target and hire the right skill set.

Jo Palmer

Jo Palmer, Pointer Remote Roles

After working remotely for a Sydney based corporation, the concept of Pointer evolved as Founder Jo Palmer looked at her network of highly qualified, professional friends who were living in rural areas. She recognised that there was a talent pool that the Australian workforce was missing out on as there was no easy way to connect with these professionals. Jo is passionate about connecting, educating and empowering rural businesses so they can access the skills and experience they need to grow tapping into this talent pool.

Social Media and Content Creation

If your marketing has been pushed to the side and you can’t find the time to prioritise it, come along and learn systems that you can implement as well as walk away with content created and curated for your business. Bring your laptop and workshop your ideas.

Tori Kopke

Tori Kopke, 20/20 Marketing

Tori is a Texan transplant whose business, 20/20 Marketing Solutions focuses on providing regional businesses from across Australia with realistic marketing solutions. She is passionate about social media and content marketing. Recently, Tori has gone on to Co-found Big Ideas Rural, a virtual space designed to educate, empower and connect rural business women from every corner of the bush.

Business Finances

Understanding your accounting software reports, figures, cashflow and forecasting. Hands on with your own books. Requires computer and online access to your MYOB, Xero or Quickbooks accounting files.

Peter Broberg

Peter Broberg, Monitor Books

Monitor Books was formed in 2007 by the principal Peter to provide a professional level of bookkeeping and payroll services to small and medium enterprises in Perth and beyond at competitive rates.

Peter has been in the finance sector for over 20 years and has significant knowledge in corporate accounting. This knowledge has extended to business management and has successfully managed the finances of an international point of sale company which has offices in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Peters mission is to empower business owners around their finances by removing confusion, fear and uncertainty and replacing it with clarity, freedom and control.

Q and A Panel

Leonie Knipe

Chaired By Leonie Knipe from Avon Valley Toyota

A strong advocate for female empowerment, 2019 WA Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Leonie Knipe is making a difference. In the male-dominated automotive industry, Leonie’s mission is to establish her three motor vehicle dealerships as the leading car dealerships for female car-buyers. As the first female Dealer Principal for Nissan in Western Australia and the only Isuzu Ute Dealer Principal in Australia, Leonie takes an inclusive approach in the way she directs her business and  is passionate about supporting women, the regions and building her community while breaking down barrier.

Cath Wood

Cath Wood, Stumpy’s Roadhouse, Brookton

A chef by trade, Cathy has a thorough knowledge of food production and establishing food products for retail and commercial sale.

Working with her husband Sean, they operate two high paced food outlets, one in Brookton and one in Perth and have their own fresh and healthy food product line.

Cathy also brings a strong skill set in day to day business operations and technology.

Rachael Sheahan

Rachel Sheahan, Scissor West

Scissor West is a premium sharpening and sales/fitting service exclusively for the hairdressing and barbering industries of Western Australia.

Scissor West is the result of Rachel’s drive for innovation and desire to learn. Her motivation to exceed expectations combined with a family legacy in the industry. Learning the Japanese art of scissor sharpening from her teacher and father, Rachel has created her own way. Her own way of client liaison, her own systems of servicing and her own brand – Scissor West.

‘It is my vision for every hairdresser in Western Australia to possess premium quality, sharp, well fitting scissors, everyday!’

Allie Gledhill

Allie Gledhill, Moora Chiropractic Clinic

Allie is the owner and one of the Chiropractors at Moora Chiropractic. She studied at Murdoch University before travelling to the UK to undertake further studies in Acupuncture and Dry Needling. Allie studied Advanced Biostructural Correction in Barcelona before returning to Australia to work as a relief Chiropractor.

In 2014 Allie travelled to the US to undertake a course with Dr Norm Shealy, one of the world’s leading experts in pain management. She was the first Australian to graduate from his Holos Institute of Health with a certificate in Transcutaneous Acupuncture and Energy Medicine.

WE CONNECT

We Connect

DIAMOND SPONSORS

Country Wide Insurance Brokers
Regional Development Commission

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Yerecoin Traders
Dept of Communities
RSM
Bankwest

2019 Committee

Rachael Thomas

Rachael Thomas

Wheatbelt Business Network

Lisa O'Neill

Lisa O’Neill

Wheatbelt Business Network

Amanda Walker

Amanda Walker

Yerecoin Traders

Caroline Robinson

Caroline Robinson

Wheatbelt Business Network

Melissa Welsh

Melissa Welsh

Melissa Welsh Style and Design

Anna Dixon

Anna Dixon

Creative IQ

Tori Kopke

Tori Kopke

Wheatbelt Business Network
20/20 Marketing Solutions

Danelle Smith

Danelle Smith

RSM Australia

Chloe Tienhoven

Chloe Tienhoven

Wave Rock Country Cottage

Mandy Walker

Mandy Walker

RDA Wheatbelt