Starting a business in the USA takes vision, guts, and a lot of hard work. Whether it’s an Aussie cafe taking on the New York coffee scene, a tech start-up that might just be the next big thing, or an iconic Australian brand dipping its toe in the overseas market, these Aussie entrepreneurs have taken the plunge and launched their business in the States.
If you’re dreaming of starting your own business in New York and would love to hear directly from those who’ve done it already, join us at our Starting a Business in the USA event on Monday, February 25.
Belinda Jackson, business consultant and career coach, will be joined by the all-star lineup of panelists below, who will share their own New York stories and helpful guidance on what it takes to get your business off the ground.
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Jo Black
Jo Black is the founder of cafe and Aussie coffee spot, Boundless Plains Espresso. A former lawyer who chose to pursue her love of food, Jo’s FiDi spot focuses on providing superior quality espresso, delicious and nutritious Australian café style food, all delivered with a smile.
After moving to NYC two years ago with her husband, Jo opted to use her business skills first hand to fill the void of decent, community-based and “local” coffee shops in New York, especially in FiDi.
Jo had also identified that although there are numerous examples of Australian coffee shops in New York, very few are run by Australian women. Jo really wanted to make a mark as a female entrepreneur, to set an example for her children about working hard and creating something.
Brett Howlett
Brett Howlett, founder of You Are What You Sleep, has worked in the marketing and advertising industry for more than 20 years. First as a Designer and Art Director, then Writer and Creative Director. All this, between Australia (where he was born) and America, for clients ranging from start-ups to billion dollar corporations.
His dislike of having any spare time, and his love of storytelling, drove him to write plays and screenplays, producing a few of the former. As it turns out (hindsight is a wonderful thing) it was due to a spectacular lack of sleep that led to health issues…and an entirely new career in natural sleep health products; in particular, bedding. Today he runs the company he built online, from the ground up, with his bare hands: You Are What You Sleep.
Who says history doesn’t have a sense of irony?
Brett is offering Aussies a special discount of 15% off on his products, just use the code MATES-RATES at the checkout.
Olivia Jones
Olivia Jones is the Managing Director and Founder of Art Seed, LLC, a development and marketing strategy consultancy working with small-medium not-for-profits in New York City. Art Seed is currently working on integrated marketing and VIP sponsorship opportunities for brands seeking access to NYC’s loyal off-Broadway audiences with her latest client and dear friends TerryandtheCuz – set to hit The Public Theater in April 2019.
Olivia’s experience extends across all areas of fundraising, from heading up Corporate Sponsorships for a major Broadway producer to lead grantwriter with The Australian Ballet, and now running Art Seed. Originally from Ocean Grove, Victoria, Olivia holds her Masters in Arts and Cultural Management from University of Melbourne.
Tanya McCaw
Tanya owns and operates Royal IT along with her business partner and husband, Lee. Royal IT supports small and medium sized companies by providing boutique IT and consulting services.
The Royal IT team are essentially the IT department for their clients and take care of everything IT-related so their clients can focus on what they do best. Royal IT was founded 10 years ago in Perth, Western Australia and launched in NYC in 2016. Tanya and Lee decided they would move to NYC and open an office after visiting the city in 2013 and recognizing the business potential. Three years after Royal IT’s NYC launch and with a new addition to their family 5 months ago, the business continues to grow strong.
Tanya is the Operations Manager of Royal IT in NYC. She is very passionate about creating a great business culture, developing business strategy and providing inspiring leadership that creates a winning environment for all.
Melinda Robertson
Melinda Robertson is joint Americas CEO of Australian fashion label Scanlan Theodore, alongside her longtime friend and fellow Aussie, Sarah Blank.
After growing up in Melbourne and having a successful finance career at companies including J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs (in New York), Melinda pivoted to the world of fashion in 2017, by bringing iconic brand Scanlan Theodore to the Northern Hemisphere with it’s first overseas boutique in New York City.
Scanlan Theodore is a women’s fashion and accessories brand offering a range of ready-to-wear, handbags, and footwear that was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1987.
Tania Yuki
Tania Yuki is Founder and CEO of Shareablee, the leading provider of actionable competitive intelligence for social media. She began her career as a media and internet attorney, specializing in digital rights management, IP and film financing.
Since moving to the US, Tania has run an online video content network as head of acquisitions and branding, has led product management for comScore’s Video Metrix, and is now an active member of the World Economic Forum’s Media and Entertainment Council. Tania also founded Wimlink in 2008, an organization that holds regular events and seminars promoting entrepreneurship, leadership and the professional development of women.
If you’re dreaming of starting your own business in New York and would love to hear directly from those who’ve done it already, join us at our Starting a Business in the USA event on Monday, February 25.
Belinda Jackson, business consultant and career coach, will be joined by the all-star lineup of panelists below, who will share their own New York stories and helpful guidance on what it takes to get your business off the ground.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKET
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 