When you own your business it can be exciting and purpose filled to be doing your ‘special thing’ in the world. It can also be isolating, filled with uncertainty, and be a rollercoaster of emotions, income, and a never ending ‘to do’ list that you’re not sure if you should do yourself - or spend money and get help with!
These unique needs are even greater when running a business in a regional area.
Join us for this special 'Lunch & Learn' Workshop with Erika McInerney of Mac and Ernie. As a highly sought after marketing strategist, social media trainer and coach, Erika is going to be sharing with us the very latest trends, tips and tricks to get your business Instagram account humming with engagement.
We care about the needs of women business owners and seeing them uplifted and understood as being very different from anyone who is an employee. We also want our events to be ones where people feel genuinely cared for, appreciated and promote a feeling of belonging.
Our events have a focus on providing opportunities for genuine connection. We want to go beyond ‘networking’ and aim to give women business owners a chance to truly connect with each other in meaningful ways.
We know that the relationships business owners have can be a core part of their success. We aim to provide opportunities where women business owners can seek out meaningful ways to collaborate and work with each other in this region and beyond.
We want our events to be fun, joyful and meaningful, and we believe this will best happen when we bring to life events that are creative and unique in their approach.
West Gippsland Women has been founded by four local business women all of whom live and work in this beautiful region - and also work with clientele from around the world online. Many cups of tea, brownies, laughs and a genuine desire to see greater connection and collaboration for women business owners in this region has seen WGW come to life and is now the core driver behind what we do.
We are so excited to meet you!
Elizabeth Banks is a compassionate leader in mental health, known for her warmth,wisdom, and commitment to resilience. With degrees in Psychological Science and Counselling and over a decade of experience, she has become a trusted guide across clinical, educational, and corporate spaces.As the director of The Village Health in Warragul, Elizabeth built her business while navigating personal hardship and single motherhood.
Her journey fuels her passion for empowering women to create their own success, achieve financial independence, and create the life of their dreams. A sought-after speaker, therapist, and consultant, Elizabeth is known for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable. Whether supporting individuals, families, or organisations, she fosters connection, self-compassion, and community-driven growth, helping others thrive both personally and professionally.
Julie (she/her) is the Founder of The Beautiful You Coaching Academy and a mentor, counsellor, coach, supervisor, guide and certified breathwork facilitator for sacred leaders and space holders. She has trained thousands of life coaches from around the world to birth their trauma-informed soul businesses and has had a thriving counselling and coaching practice for more than two decades.
Julie has also inspired thousands of people as an in-demand speaker for clients including Apple, Telstra and Soulpreneurs, is the recipient of numerous leadership and women’s awards, is an international award winning published author and host of two top ranking podcasts where she has interviewed some of the world’s great thought leaders. As a devoted and practising priestess, Julie is committed to contributing to a world where presence, healing and social justice are honoured.
Jane Sahhar is a Mindset and Life Coach based in Warragul, Gippsland, dedicated to helping people overcome self-doubt and build confidence, clarity, and joy. With a background in teaching, entrepreneurship, and life coaching, she brings a wealth of experience to her practice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Creative Writing and Indigenous Studies, as well as a Diploma in Education, which led to a fulfilling career as a secondary school teacher and educational therapist. In 2024, she completed her Life Coach training with the Beautiful You Coaching Academy, an ICF-accredited program.
Alongside her husband, Jane also co-founded Friendie, a successful Australian tech company driven by a passion for innovation. As an entrepreneur, business owner, coach, and mother of two, she understands the juggle of professional and personal life. She is deeply passionate about building connections within the community and supporting women to thrive, guiding them through small mindset shifts that create meaningful change.
Kate is a graphic & web designer, dedicated to helping small businesses and creatives build intentional and visually compelling brands. With over a decade of experience in graphic design, branding, and web development, she has worked with countless businesses, local and internationally, to create websites and identities that feel both strategic and beautiful.
With a background in digital design, Kate has spent the last 10 years refining her craft, specialising in WordPress websites and brand storytelling. Through The Mud Room Design Studio, she takes a collaborative approach, ensuring each project reflects her clients’ unique vision.
As a business owner, designer, and mother of two, she understands the challenges of balancing creativity with running a business and is passionate about helping women bring their ideas to life with clarity and confidence.
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