My Connection Statement

Grumpy Betty is a one-stop shop for lovers of vintage and retro style for themselves and their home with our curated collection of vintage and retro, furniture, homewares, decor, clothes, books, toys and games, painting workshops, and Interior Design service, available at our retail outlet and studio in Caulfield, Vic and via our on-line store.

About Me - My Biography

I am the Director – Marketing and Business Development, for Grumpy Betty.

Grumpy Betty is a one-stop shop for lovers of vintage and retro styling for their home and themselves, with our curated collection of accessibly priced vintage and retro – furniture, home decor, fashion, toys, books and games, painting workshops and Interior Design Services, available at our retail and studio space in Caulfield and from our on-line store.

I have an MBA and Masters of Marketing from Melbourne Business School. My undergraduate degree is a Ba. App. Sci (Med. Rad) from RMIT. I spent the first 8 years of my working life as a radiographer in public and private health in Australia and London, UK. I was a member of the first team to introduce Mobile BreastScreen Services to the women of outer western Melbourne.

I have worked in multinationals in Sales and Sales Team Management roles – Kodak – Healthcare (now CareSteam) and GE – Healthcare.

I had a fun time moving industries, to take on a marketing role with one of my closets friend in her business that imported decorative lighting for sale to national retailers – Bunnings, ALDI and Adairs.

Before embarking on life as business owner, in Jan 2020, I held the role of Marketing Manager for Lake Imaging – the Victorian arm of Integral Diagnostics – Australia’s third largest provider of private medical imaging services.

In January 2020, myself and a mum of one of my then 10 yr old son’s friends, shared a coffee over our kitchen table by the beach, and discussed turning 50 , our lives and our dreams. We decided to take a BIG step and there and then registered the business Grumpy Betty (a nickname she held at a previous job!) to be retail space in a beautiful Victorian era shop, opposite our sons’ school, to sell vintage and retro homewares and furniture. Our first collection would come form her mum and dad in Canberra who were making the move to a smaller abode after a a lifetime dedicated to collecting vintage and retro homeware and furniture.

We signed the shop lease in early March, but due to the challenges of COVID and lockdown  our first day of trading was 2nd November 2020.

 

My Expertise

I am a Sales and Marketing professional, with expertise in designing and implementing multi-channel marketing strategies that grow sales and profitability and enable companies to meet their business goals.

My experience has been predominantly in the medical imaging space, but I have also worked in B2B in wholesale – to – retail with medium and large national retailers.

I also have experience in the not-for-profit sector, being a Director of the Samantha Darton Foundation, from its inception in 2000 to its closure in 2007.

My community work recently has been focused on our local primary school. I have served on the School Council for the last 5 years, holding the position of President from 2017 – 2019. I currently serve as Vice President.

My Passions

Sustainability – particular with respect to shopping.

Design – the elegance of timeless design and manufacture.

Women in Business – both as owners and in the Corporate Space.

Indigenous peoples rights.

Public Education.

 

My Interests

Reading.

Gardening.

Swimming – since the COVID restrictions I have become a Port Philip Bay swimmer – albeit with a wetsuit – so not a true iceberg – but I am addicted!

Yoga.

How I Can Help Other Members

Input to Business and Marketing Strategies.

Why I Became a HerBusiness Member

To find my people – women determined to overcome the stigma that women’s businesses are ‘hobbies’ and not serious.

Help me establish goals and work systematically to achieve them.