Gisborne mums, Meagan Upsher, Katrina Wurm, Carmen Hofman and Kat Buttigieg, have all been named as finalists for the 2024 AusMumpreneur Awards.
Their businesses, Macedon Ranges Aqua Aerobics, Stress Free Super Mum, Oakfield Designs and Macedon Ranges Mumma, are represented across a wide range of categories: Fitness Business, Coaching, Personal Business, Regional Business, Women’s Champion, Homewares, and Online Community respectively.
The AusMumpreneur Awards, presented by The Women’s Business School, celebrate and recognise Australian mums in business achieving outstanding success.
These Gisborne women were each inspired to start their own business to follow something they are deeply passionate about.
Katrina of Stress Free Super Mum assists overwhelmed mums in creating procedures in their household to regain time for themselves.
“I love being a mumpreneur as I get to support women, especially mothers, to feel empowered and confident with this attitude extending beyond their personal lives, influencing their families, creating healthier homes and children, strengthening communities and bringing positive change to the corporate world,” she said.
Macedon Ranges Aqua Aerobics arose from Meagan’s aspiration for better health and wellness for herself.
She now encourages women of any age, body shape and fitness level to join her in the pool for low-impact-on-joints but high-impact-on-fitness fun.
Meagan is thrilled to mark her first anniversary in business by preparing for the Ausmumpreneur awards.
“It’s an incredible feeling to have completed my first year so successfully, supporting women with their exercise goals and sharing belly laughs along the way,” she said.
When Carmen lost her job as a business development manager for a contact lens company during the pandemic, she decided to pursue a completely different career, creating beautiful, bespoke handmade timber furniture with resin features.
Her business has grown quickly and she now ships her pieces to customers around the country. Her pieces have also featured on The Block, and were part of the winning home in 2022.
Carmen is delighted to be named a finalist and has won gold in her category for two years running.
“Going for the ‘hat-trick’ was honestly never something that I could imagine happening. Just being a finalist for a national award is a true honour,” she said.
Kat of Macedon Ranges Mumma offers an online community dedicated to assisting local families in finding affordable things to do, connecting new and existing locals with each other, and supporting local businesses and not-for-profits.
She has teamed up with local businesses to offer discounts and deals via a shop local initiative.
Katrina said it could be challenging to be a successful business woman while raising a family and gave advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.
“Just start!” she said. “If you are passionate about what you do, you will create your own magic.”
“Reach out to other local mums in business to ask for advice and support. Our communities love to see locals thrive and get behind women-led and family-run businesses.”
The winners of the AusMumpreneur Awards will be announced at the AusMumpreneur Awards Gala Dinner in Melbourne in mid-August.
Carmen Hofman of Oakfield Designs. 
Katrina Wurm of Stress Free Super Mum. 
Meagan Upsher of Macedon Ranges Aqua Aerobics.
