Vice President:  Lorraine Craig of Softlytes Candles, Gifts & Accessories

Moving from New Zealand to Australia in 1995 with her 3 boys aged 5 - 14 Lorraine began her purchasing/logistics career in Sydney. 18 months later she settled in Melbourne where she met her husband Andrew.
After achieving her goal of reaching management level within her corporate career & with an opportunity to relocate to King Island in 2003 Lorraine began her lifelong dream of creating her own business by launching a nursery/variety store which she operated for 4 years.

Moving back to Melbourne, looking for something else to get her teeth into Lorraine established Softlytes.

  Nearly 2 years young, Softlytes is a business that manufactures natural candles, home décor gifts & accessories. Softlytes operates with four revenue streams that include contract manufacturing, retail, wholesale & party plan. Softlytes vision is to supply a quality product at an affordable price with a professional but friendly customer focus.

Lorraine, as a result of her life’s experiences, is a firm believer in encouraging women to give it a go and to “think outside the box” in striving to achieve their goals whether it be business or personal.

Secretary:  Estella Hutchinson - Wicked Nutrition

Hello to all Women In Business members. My name is Estella Hutchinson and I am a Nutritionist, my business is called Wicked Nutrition. Wicked Nutrition is a mobile Nutrition service that allows clients to be seen in their own homes or workplaces, I also offer a range of Nutrition presentations for work and community groups. In addition to Wicked Nutrition (which I have run for nearly 3 years), I have recently launched a new business, Affordable Efficiency that offers affordable business advice to new small and home based businesses.

I have nominated for the committee of Women in Business because I believe in providing support to women in the west to improve networking opportunities and access to information on improving their business.  As a home based business owner I know how isolating it can be working alone  a good network like Women In Business is a fantastic opportunity to meet like minded women to gain insights from their experiences and support.

It is my intention to help the network grow and provide more active support to its members in the next twelve months  and the best way to help it grow is from the inside.

Treasurer:  Deborah Warren of Commander Centre

Deborah Warren has had various roles in both the private business sector, as well management roles with Volunteer Organisations (Victoria State Emergency Service).

Deborah has also been an elected councillor for the Shire of Melton, and in her first year made local history when she partnered with Cr. Sophie Ramsey to become the first all women Mayor/Deputy Mayor team.

In 2006, Deborah and her husband David began planning to start their own business and in 2007 they opened the doors to Commander Centre, based in Ravenhall.   Deborah is currently Business Manager and is enjoying this new challenge.

Mentoring Women became a passion of Deborah’s when she was awarded a Women’s Leadership Scholarship from the State Government for study into women in Volunteer Emergency Services. 

Since then, she has also been awarded and acknowledged by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) for her work in promotion and education of SES awareness into Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.   This then led her to assist Emergency Management Australia (EMA) as a consultant for the writing of a program for Emergency Services and CALD awareness nationally.

Deborah has also designed in conjunction with the Shire of Melton, the Office of the Emergency Service Commissioner (OESC) and the federal government a flip chart that was sent out to all residents and businesses within the Shire of Melton which increased awareness on the various roles that emergency services undertake. 

“Creating awareness of not only businesses, but the highly creative and intelligent women in Melbourne’s West is important....  Not just to the economy of the region, but for the mentoring opportunities that it presents our future women leaders”

General Committee Member:  Josie Campese of Chef's Toolbox

Hi, My Name is Josie Campese and I am a manager with The Chefs Toolbox and I thoroughly enjoy being a Woman In Business. I’ve always wanted to be self employed and do something for myself that I could be proud of. Working from home appealed mostly to me so I could be a mum that got involved in the activities of my now 13 year old daughter and also have time for myself, doing the things I enjoy.

Almost 4 years ago I went along to a cooking party, mainly because I was promised food and wine! You see, I cook because I need to feed us rather than for the love of it.

I had a great fun afternoon but most of all I was so impressed with the obvious difference good quality cookware can make to the results I get in the kitchen. I learned to make a fabulous risotto without stirring and also yummy sticky date puddings, all in about 30 minutes

After chatting to the consultant who let us do most of the work and finding out that I would get all the training I needed and how much I could earn, I joined. It was the best thing I did! I now earn a full time income and I do all of this when I choose to, not when I’m told to. I’ve also gone on to show other consultants how simple a business like this can be and helped them to achieve things they never thought possible, which is really rewarding.

I’m very proud to be a part of The Chefs Toolbox team. We are all about improving the customers cooking experience and making cooking FUN through our interactive cooking parties where guests have the opportunity to try before they buy.  We aim to show that combining easy to clean, commercial quality cookware, knives and tools with simple recipes and tips, anyone can prepare great healthy meals with fantastic flavours for their family.

Our Hosts are offered some great benefits like half price shopping and freebies as well as a chance to catch up with friends. We offer an ongoing service to our customers with a free monthly e-letter providing new recipes and tips and free chefs club membership, our customer loyalty programme.

The chefs Toolbox can also help you Fundraise for charities or your local sports clubs or organisations with a Fun Cooking Show.

General Committee Member:  Vesna Micevski of Adohma Designs

I have been with the WIB network this year and have enjoyed taking an active part in the events that have been offered and found it to be a valuable experience both personally and professionally. Its been a great opportunity to network and meet like minded woman who have similar aspirations. I feel as a committee member I can offer my experience as a team manager and offer ideas and assist with events and bring support to the other members elected so that all members of WIB can benefit.  I enjoy meeting people and networking and would take on the role with enthusiasm.

I have extensive experience within real estate and financial services industries namely:- Funds Management, Stockbroking and Financial Planning together with formal qualifications and a Diploma of Financial Markets completed with Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia).  I was a member of Finsia for 8 years and served as the Events Manager on the 'Women In Finsia' committee up until Adohma Designs was incorporated a couple of years ago.

It was the love and passion for design that led towards a career in the interior design, coupled with wealth of business experience in financial management, sales & marketing including an eye for detail, it was a natural transition that  Adohma Designs  was incorporated.  Vesna has completed a Diploma of Professional Interior Design with The Interior Design Academy.

General Committee Member:  Andrea Henrickson of Andrea Henrickson Performance and Life Coaching

Andrea joined and chose to be a part of the Women in Business because she believes that the women in this group are dynamic, creative and empowered; the group has a balanced approach to networking, is committed to serving its members and has an authenticity that she is proud to be a part of.

Andrea is excited to be nominating as a Women in Business general committee member and believes her contribution to the group will provide opportunities for like minded business women to establish, expand and flourish in their businesses through generating unique and relevant networking opportunities.   She brings a wealth of experience from having worked in both the private and public sectors, as well as running her own business, and is passionate about making a difference and contributing to women. 

Andrea is a Health and Fitness business and performance coach working with business leaders and individuals in the Health and Fitness industry who want to accomplish their individual and or business goals without limitation.  Andrea aims to deliver an exceptional level of customer satisfaction working with clients and guiding them to achieve outstanding results, elevated performance and increased effectiveness, both personally and professionally.

Andrea’s passion for health, wellness and fitness is the basis for achieving balance and optimum performance. When the mind and body are aligned the feeling of wellbeing increases, along with the ability to grow and achieve an enriched life. 

Andrea’s mission is to educate and transform health and fitness industry leaders and individuals on how to achieve superior and optimum mind body choices that elevate their performance.