“Life with Paint runs social painting nights in pubs across Victoria, and has already expanded to Queensland,” Jess explains.

These nights involve a local artist hosting the event, guiding participants step-by-step through the artwork of the night. The atmosphere is fun, social, and very supportive.

The idea sprung from a conversation about Sonia’s six-year-old son and how much he was enjoying his school art lessons. The two friends thought that they would like to try art lessons, but their options were limited to relatively formal adult classes such as life drawing.

“Neither of us are exceptionally artistic,” Jess says. “We didn’t want to attend classes where there was pressure or a particular style to adhere to.”

They wanted a fun and social class to attend, while having a glass of wine and chatting with friends. “No pressure, no thoughts about what had happened during the day, just two hours to relax, chat, drink, and paint.”

They researched the idea in late March and discovered companies overseas doing exactly that, but nothing in Australia. So they contacted The Eureka in Richmond, planned their first event for May, and Life with Paint was born.

Jess recruited local artists, while Sonia focussed on finding great pubs for events. They ensured that all supplies, such as paint and canvases, were sourced from Australia.

They now have ten artists across Victoria and Queensland, four of whom are Master Artists, who are supplied with their own kit by Life with Paint to take to and from each venue.

The events have received a hugely positive response. Life with Paint events currently run in Richmond, South Melbourne, the CBD, Port Melbourne, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy, and Geelong, as well as the Gold Coast, Brisbane and West End. The majority of events are complete sell-outs. That’s 34-38 people sitting to eat, drink, and paint at every event, every week!

Jess and Sonia intend to expand nationally over the next 12 months, and into New Zealand.

Jess is, “So happy to have been chosen for the award, and am really looking forward to my mentoring. I’ve learnt so much in such a short time – I can only imagine where we’ll be this time next year!”

Life with Paint | www.lifewithpaint.com | info@lifewithpaint.com

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Nikki started Cinch in her garage five years ago. By late last year, the business had grown to the point where she knew she needed her own studio – and she moved into a larger space in March.

The majority of her clients are women. Despite the existence of women’s only gyms, Nikki believes there’s a gap in the market. “There are areas we need to address such as pelvic floor strength and pre- and post-natal activity, which aren’t always addressed in women’s only gyms.”

Every trainer at Cinch has a degree in Physical Education or Clinical Exercise Science, bringing a high level of education to every session. The main service they offer is small group personal training, although members can also do yoga or one-on-one training. With up to twelve members per group session, Nikki has found, “Women love to get together and train. There’s so much support and social interaction. It’s really special and you’d never see that level of camaraderie in a gym.”

Cinch differs from a regular gym by being decked out like an adult playground. Ropes, balls, sandbags, even a sled track – needless to say, Nikki’s clients don’t get bored!

The idea behind this set-up is functional fitness. Cinch is not about using machines. “Most of my clients are sitting down all day, so they don’t need to be sitting on a bench press. They need to be up and moving.”

Machine-based workouts are static and supported, with no focus on joint control, stability, or rotational forces. “You’re just pushing a load,” Nikki explains. “It’ll give a strong body, and one that looks aesthetically strong, but it’s not functional. We want people to get fit under their own steam.”

She’s passionate about developing useful strength. She wants older adults to be able to stay in their homes longer, parents to be able to suddenly sprint with their children, and others to not pull up sore after an afternoon of shoveling mulch. So their sessions use balls and ropes and sandbags to shake it up and keep it fun. And her clients love it.

Nikki takes a creative approach to marketing. Recently, Cinch ran a Bring-a-Buddy campaign, where every member who participated received a $30 Coles voucher, regardless of whether their friend signed up. She promotes weekly in her kids’ primary school newsletter and makes the most of her professional networks. Local Eltham blogger, The Little Mama, gives Cinch an occasional plug to her 2000 followers in return for free personal training. Nikki’s massage therapist provides free treatment in exchange for training, and both recommend the other to their clients.

“It’s just nice to collaborate with other women in business,” Nikki says. “I love that.”

The goal is to keep growing and open a larger space with treatment rooms and extra services. Considering Nikki’s motivation and generous approach to business relationships, she has everything she needs to make it happen.

Cinch | 1/24 Aberdeen Road, Macleod | www.cinch.training.com | 0406 261 171

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