Sharyn Coffee
Photographer/Owner
Lume Collective
Photographer/Owner
Why did you join BWN and what do you love about it?
I joined BWN to be connected with like minded women in business. I believe that as a group of business women we can learn from and support each other. I love that the BWN women stick together and do offer that support and guidance to one another.
How do you define success?
Success can be defined in many different ways. It may be achieving a simple task that seemed difficult, or it could be setting a difficult goal and achieving that. I think in business success is achieving any goal that you set out to do and are happy with the end result. Success to me is believing that you can. If you do that you've already succeeded.
Which local women inspire you and why?
I would like to give a shout out to all the local women in business who are managing their businesses whilst having other jobs and/or being a mum or carer. Being a full time worker and having a business I know how difficult things can be at times.
I give an extra shout out to the women working in emergency services who also run a business. Working shift work and running a business makes it even more challenging. Myself, Amy from Sapphire Living Interiors and Bec and Nik from Botanicus Boutique in Woolgoolga are all in that boat.
A big inspiration is my daughter Lucy who I taught to sew just over 12 months ago. Since learning to sew she has created her own business Little Bumblebee Co making modern cloth nappies which she has designed and sews herself. In the very short time after learning to sew, she perfected her own nappy design, which are already sought after. She has done this whilst being pregnant and now having a one year old and working as a vet nurse.
What's the best piece of advice you can give our audience?
My advice would be to believe in yourself. Take a leap and if you don't land on your feet get back up and try again.
What is your superpower?
My superpower would have to be resilience. I wouldn't survive my full time job as a police detective if I didn't have that.
What do you love most about what you do?
It’s a release for me, a time that I can focus on my creative side and just stop and not think about all the other ‘stuff’ going on. I love that I get to share my photography and art knowing that my customers purchase them because they love them too.