Passionate Role Models, Strong Support Systems, Willing Guinea Pigs, Trail Blazers and Warrior Queens

In honour of Mother’s Day, we spoke to four Australian businesswomen about how their mothers have helped shape who they are today. What we learnt is that sometimes mother really does ‘know best’ when it comes to bold career decisions and change.

Daphne Kapetas, CEO and Founder – LAJOIE SKIN

Raised by a “warrior queen,” Daphne was encouraged to follow her own path – unusual for a girl from a traditional Greek Orthodox background.

Her mother always told her, if an employer wants you, “you are worthy, so let them pay up. There is no shame in asking them for what you deserve”.

She also told Daphne to, “focus on your own stroke.” Never worry about what others are doing. Envy will get you nowhere, focus on you, follow your passion, embrace mistakes but never dwell, keep moving forward.

Daphne’s mother, Koula, was born in 1933 on a tiny island of Greece. She had no formal education, but she never let her gender define who she was. At a young age Koula went with her father to trade goods with nearby businessmen, but it was not long before she began to cut the business deals herself.

“Nothing intimidated her. She believed that we are all born the same. It is laziness that separates us from success. I wouldn’t be where I am without her,” Daphne explained.

In her hometown, as the eldest daughter of the family, Koula was expected to be the first to marry. Not wanting to settle down, she left Greece with her parents blessing and migrated to Australia where she eventually met Daphne’s father.

“She was a trail blazer and she and my father encouraged me to do the same”.

As a small child, Daphne watched as her mother made food and took it to the homeless and needy. “Don’t fear – we are doing the right thing. Do good and you will be rewarded,” she was told.

In her final year of high school, Daphne’s father passed away, leaving her mother to raise Daphne and her younger sibling alone.

“My mother never wavered. Not even in her darkest moments. She encouraged me to study because not having a university qualification was her one regret. It still is to this day.”

Never one to shy away from change, now at age 55 and a mother herself, Daphne has had a remarkable education and career. After obtaining a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry), a Masters of Business (Marketing) and a Post Grad Certificate in Sustainability, Daphne worked for multinational corporations before starting her own business.

“I have worked from concept to completion in product development. Beginning as a cosmetic chemist in labs, I have been a buyer and worked in marketing. I have worked with fragrance houses in Europe and in Asia. I have even sniff tested armpits to ascertain fragrance performance, but owning my own business is by far my greatest achievement and it is due to my strong mother,” Daphne said.

Today, Daphne runs successful business, LAJOIE SKIN. Their flagship product is Calmmé anti-chafe and soothing cream which was formulated for her mother’s own skin issues and recently became Amazon Choice product within its category in Amazon US.

Koula, now 88 years old, is living a more peaceful and slower paced, but happy life and continues to provide her daughter with frank life advice.

Filipa Bellette, Clinical Nutritionist - Founder Chris & Filly Functional Medicine

Looking back, it was a traumatic family event that set her on a course to helping mothers through functional medicine.

When Filipa was just three years old, her mother found Filipa’s grandmother lying unconscious by the washing line in the backyard. She called an ambulance and administered CPR. Tragically, Filipa’s grandmother was pronounced dead not long after medical assistance had arrived.

“Mum then went on to have her fifth child, but something had changed in her. Even as a small child I could sense it and I’d just stay with her, so she knew she wasn’t alone. For years after, mum suffered insomnia and panic attacks. She was no stranger to hard work or pushing through. She had been a nurse working night shift. She had supported my dad as his business struggled. She’d been the backbone, but after my grandmother passed, something in her shifted,” Filipa explained.

It was when Filipa became a mum herself and began to suffer what she describes as “postnatal depletion” that she discovered the power of healing the body through food and natural medicines. It was then that Filipa decided to follow her instinct and change her career path, convincing her husband to join her on the journey.

She studied Functional Medicine, and, alongside her husband, they founded a now thriving functional medicine clinic based in Tasmania, operating virtually Australia-wide.

“Really it was all due to mum. Watching her experience, I wanted to help. She volunteered to be my guinea pig and together we worked on her path to wellness. She is really involved and proud of what I’ve achieved and I’m really proud of how she’s changed her own life. It’s mutual admiration,” Filipa said.

Andrea Christie-David, Managing Director – Founder, Leor – Childcare & NDIS at Home

Andrea was the 27th lawyer in her mother’s family, but it was after becoming a mother herself that Andrea found herself following her mother’s professional path – working with young children.

Born in Sri Lanka, Andrea’s mother ran a Montessori school, and it was her pride in her students that is a memory Andrea holds dearly.

It was her passion for helping people that led Andrea to practise in humanitarian law but, as her mother before her, the passion to help children was something she could not ignore.

“After having my three kids, I could see a gap in the market for those needing in-home care. I established Leor so that children could have the opportunity to learn from early childhood educators in their own home,” she explained.

Recently Leor became an approved NDIS provider to help even more children receive the early intervention or care that they desperately need.

“Our approach is holistic. We work with each family individually and provide the approach that best suits them – many of which are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

“My aspiration to change career paths and work with children and families has absolutely been influenced by my background and my mother. I could not be prouder of the outcomes our educators achieve for children. Helping to shape children’s lives is in our DNA,” Andrea said.

 Libby Hakim - Founder, Cooking with Nana Ling

Initially setting off to move away from her “working-class upbringing” in the Hunter Valley, it was when she had children that Libby found her way back home through her grandmother’s collection of recipes.

After 20 years as a Sydney-based lawyer, Libby started her own family. Having stepped away from corporate life, Libby felt a yearning for something more.

“Initially I filled the gap by starting a freelance writing business which I loved and still do today, but it was when my grandmother passed away and I inherited her recipe book collection that something stirred within me,” she explained.

“I tucked the books away for a couple of years while I raised my family, but there was always something telling me to pull them out and do something with them. Perhaps it was my obsession with home cooking,” she laughs.

“What started initially as a bit of fun became something I could do as a job and it was all due to my longing for home and for the home-cooked meals my mother and grandmother used to make”.

While she initially set off on a different career path than many generations in her family, it was that very family that had brought her a sense of success in an area she never dreamed possible.

Today, Libby is focussed on building her blog and bringing the joy of home-cooked meals to Australians.

While all these women had different childhood experiences, what unites them is their admiration and passion for their mothers who encouraged them all to be open to the possibility of change.

As your life changes, do not be afraid to change with it.

Thank you to Daphne, Filipa, Andrea and Libby for sharing their insights with us. Wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day 2021.

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