Paper Cuts by Officeworks

Kym Clark was climbing the corporate ladder as an accountant at Foxleigh Mine in Central Queensland, when the discomfort of a pregnant colleague led to a ‘Eureka’ moment. Realising there was a huge gap in the industrial workwear market, Kym launched a line of hi-vis maternity wear for women, and She’s Empowered was born. But when a huge player in the workwear industry launched their own maternity line… Kym wasn’t sure she could go on.

During a casual family catch up, Paul Chapman was challenged to build a simple turntable to rotate a car. Fast forward 30 years and his business, the Bendigo-based Australian Turntable Company, is one of the largest of its kind and credits the design of the world’s largest rotating restaurant to its name. But success wasn’t always the story Paul was spinning. Twelve years into the business the tables were turned on him, and he lost his entire client base in a week.

When William Petersen and his sister Sophie took over the family business, Infinity Bakery, in 2010, William had one thing on his mind – growth. But the brutal hours of baking and the siblings’ differing visions for the future of the business created deep family friction, and they quickly lost their way. When a move to a new location went pear-shaped, William had to figure out if he could have his cake and eat it too.

When Tom Sanceau and Bonnie Shearston landed in Brisbane nine years ago from the UK, they no idea their passion for good food and wine would turn into the hospitality empire Happy Fat Group – with hotspots including Public, Red Hook and Coppa Spuntino. But on the eve of launching their fifth restaurant, the pair called it quits on their relationship. And Tom was ready to call it quits on their business partnership as well.

Ebru Sak is a true inspiration. After ending an arranged marriage in Turkey, the now-single mother returned to Australia and started a hairdressing business to support her daughter. The Melbourne-based salons quickly grew, and it wasn’t long before she had the idea to launch her own cosmetic brand, DUO. But with a laser focus on her new venture, Ebru didn’t realise her staff were running her salons into the ground… until it was too late.

Many Aussie’s dream of the freedom, opportunity and balance that owning their own business could bring. But the reality is that running a small business is tough. You need passion, determination and grit to succeed. And despite their best efforts, many small business owners find themselves in that moment - the moment where they’re not sure if they can keep the dream alive. Brought to you by Officeworks and hosted by business coach and author Jason Cunningham, Paper Cuts is a five-part podcast series that shares incredible stories of five small Australian business owners. Find out more about how Officeworks is making bigger things happen for small business at officeworks.com.au/workwise