Over the years, I’ve surrounded myself with ambitious, creative friends, and there’s nothing more inspiring than being by their sides as they achieve their goals. So here’s a shout-out to those wonderful people and the incredible dreams they’re living…
Provider Store – Tara Bennett
Tara and I go way back to when we were both copywriters for an online homewares and furniture start-up. It was here, squashed elbow-to-elbow at plastic trestle tables with our feet tangled in a million power cords that we bonded over our goals.
Since then, Tara has gone on to run her own vintage store in Sydney’s Surry Hills and now, has launched Provider Store online. This e-commerce store has been featured in the massive home & lifestyle mag Real Living, as well as Homes+. She makes and sells scented candles, concrete stools and has just branched out into designing French Linen Bedding. While our goals are completely different – watching my friend go from strength to strength with her creative pursuit has been utterly motivating and inspiring.
Awen Projects – Annelisa Kalaiziovski
Lisy and I became friends over a mutual love of Lord of the Rings outside a high school science lab when we were about 12-years-old. Since then, I’ve watched her excel at visual art, photography and just about any creative activity she can get her hands on.
While we were growing up, she developed a keen interest in film and directing. She’s gone on to create her own production and events company – Awen Projects. Partnering with her friend Clare, Awen Projects is a “Sydney-based collective bringing together poetic and melodic independent explorers who have recently emerged on the contemporary Sydney and Melbourne art scenes.” They specialise in music videos and live art events and exhibitions. Last year I attended their ‘Night on Earth’ warehouse party and art exhibition and I couldn’t have been more impressed. This year, their music video for Wren’s track ‘Soldiers’ has made the official selection for The Los Angeles New Wave International Film Festival.
Whim Magazine – Melanie Doncas
Mel and I have been friends since senior high school, but we became especially close when we both went to the University of Wollongong to study Creative Writing. We spent much of our first year giggling at the back of lectures and keeping each other company on the long commute.
Mel has always been super creative, with her own unique style, but after we finished uni, she took it to a whole new level by starting Whim Online Magazine. Whim offers its readers a blog filled to the brim with all sorts of visually inspiring content, as well as a digital magazine that’s released bi-monthly. One of my favourite things to do when I’m not working on Writer’s Edit is to meet Mel for breakfast and talk about our websites. Talking about our business models over poached eggs and smashed avocado is pretty much the best thing ever.
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I can’t tell you how proud I am to know these inspiring women, who continue to persist, even when the road’s not always smooth. It’s an absolute joy to listen to what motivates them, and where they want to be in the future. As someone whose own goals are increasingly ambitious, surrounding myself with people like Tara, Lisy and Mel is a great way to stay positive and inspired.
So, here’s to the ambitious, creative women I know! I’m seriously considering making this a series…
Until next time,
– Helen
Note: Featured image credit to Kinfolk Magazine