What are you working on?

This year, I’m the Chair and President of CPA Australia in the ACT. It is a member elected, voluntary position. I love giving back to the community, encouraging more females to step into leadership positions and hopefully inspiring my young girls too.

From a business perspective, we’ve navigated COVID-19 lockdowns, and are now looking to the future. It hasn’t been an easy period and we’ve had lots of tough conversations. The current environment continues to be challenging and uncertain, but the key is focus on what you can control.

Our new coffee table book AUSTRALIA is proving popular and definitely a win for us. It is absolutely beautiful – the photos, curation and book itself. Perfect for home and office coffee tables across Australia. Equally, we are sending it overseas regularly as farewell gifts, to expats, hotels and Australian Embassies abroad. If you’re looking for a premium gift for anyone (that’s not alcohol), our hard cover coffee table book is perfect. The quality is stunning and it’s a showcase of Australia.

Why is innovation important to you?

Innovation and continuous improvement is at the heart of everything we do. Innovation to me is about continuing to be better across every aspect of our business. This means looking at ways to scale, how to automate systems and processes. I am a firm believer in not stopping – always keep moving forward and improving.

If we didn’t continuously innovate, our business would not be here in a post lockdown COVID world. Innovation is essential to any business to survive and thrive.

What advice would you give yourself 5 years ago?

I was pregnant with my first daughter five years ago 🙂

I’d say “You’re awesome, back yourself, trust your gut and lead by example.” Females in particular are very good at self doubt and over thinking things. Continue to lean in and put your hand up for opportunities.

Motherhood is life changing, and so is starting a new business. I did both around the same time with my husband five years ago. Crazy right!! Yes it’s a juggle and continues to be a juggle. Arguably having a small family owned business is just like having another child.

Do you have any advice for getting more women into innovation and entrepreneurship?

Be a leader and a role model to inspire others. Also, tap other females on the shoulder and ask them to step up into opportunities. I do this as a Mentor and it works. Many women just need another friend or colleague (male or female) to have a conversation with them and offer encouragement to step up into a new role or business. It might be as simple as coffee to get the conversation started.

Lastly, get involved with CBRIN Female Founders too. Sharon and the team have created a very supportive female founders network and community. Check out the CBRIN website for upcoming events.

What do you want to ask your future self?

What awesome travel locations have you been too and where are you going next?

One of the reasons we started our business online and then opened the physical gallery was so that we could travel Australia. We love going to stunning locations around Australia and then bringing Scott’s unique and stunning photographs home to share with our clients.

In June this year, we spent 10 days at the Whitsundays. It was a bucket list location for me visiting Whitehaven Beach. Absolutely stunning in person, on foot and amazing in the air too. One of the many roles I have as the wife, business partner and Commercial Director of the Scott Leggo business, involves visiting stunning locations and helping with behind the scenes video, photos etc. A one hour helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef, with Scott and the heli pilot was AWESOME. A must do, if you get to the Whitsundays. Whitehaven was amazing and likewise the popular Heart Reef. Add it to your travel listing, if you haven’t already and be sure to check out Scott’s new releases from Queensland.

What are you proud of right now?

As a small business, the last few years have been a real challenge. I’m particularly proud that we’re sill here, have managed to navigate the challenges and emerge a stronger and better business than when we went in.

I’m also very proud that I’ve been able to build a business that is strongly aligned with me personally. I’m a former ski instructor, so I LOVE spending time at the snow and Scott’s snow photography. Check out all of our alpine collection online and visit our Canberra gallery – 45 Jardine St Kingston.

Our artwork comes in a range of sizes to suit all walls. You can purchase off the wall in the gallery and take a print home, or we can make an artwork to order just for you. Delivery is free Australia-wide and all our artwork is made in Australia and recognised by the Australian Made Campaign.