Two businesswomen from Logan have been named finalists in one of Australia’s biggest showcases for the achievements of mums in entrepreneurship.
Professional opera singer come vocal coach Lisa Lockland Bell and Poppy’s Chocolate founder Lynda Pedder are shortlisted for this year’s AusMumpreneur Awards.
Winners will be announced on September 8 and 9.
Lisa Lockland Bell, Voice coach
Ms Lockland Bell sung around the world on the most esteemed opera stages before two bouts of cancer halted her career and forced a change in direction.
From there she became a singing studio owner, vocal coach and business mentor.
“Having the cancer twice, it was really important that I be there for my children the whole time, so being able to financially support myself and my children in their growth was the pinnacle for me,” she said.
She wants to use the award as a platform to promote the launch a new and larger studio in Logan.
“That’s going to help me build my profile for sure in that we are just about to expand my business in Logan,” she said.
“We’re creating a large performance studio, which will cater for ages two to 52.
“One of the reasons we’ve done that is because the education department is slowly pushing music education out of schools, and I’ve had a huge outpouring of requests for younger classes for children.”
Lynda Pedder, Chocolatier
Ms Pedder never thought chocolates would take off in the USA. Yet that is her next target for Poppy’s Chocolate.
The single mother of three started Poppy’s 16 years ago, transforming it into an institution of Logan.
“The recognition and just having my kids be proud of what I’ve achieved is really good,” she said.
She came runner up in the awards for the QLD/NT category last year, but hopes to go one better this time.
“Once I was in the awards it meant to me more than I thought it would, and I’ve never been one to go for awards.”
“It gives them [her team] some recognition as well about everything they have done.”
In the last year, her team has steered Poppy’s Chocolate to an online business model, doubling its sales in the process, and have laid the groundwork to export to the USA.
“One of the things that’s been really big for us is we’ve got the shipping – of something that melts easily – down pat,” she said.
“Figuring that out has made a massive difference for us, and that’s taken a long time to do that.”
