International Women’s Day is just around the corner, 8 March 2023, to be precise. To honour the day, we asked Secret Adelaide readers what their favourite women-led and owned businesses are around the city. And we’ve compiled a random portion of the 600 answers we received into this article, so you can check out and support these 12 women-led and owned businesses in Adelaide.
1. Meez On Plus
Specialising in native Australian foods, Meez On Plus Catering has been feeding hungry bellies at corporate, private, and community events around Adelaide for nine years running. As well as the fare, the business aims to educate people on growing and utilising the foods that are unique to Australia and our region. Meez On Plus serve up remarkable, seasonal dishes with the likes of: bush tomato soup; yabby and bunya nut risotto; sea urchin; and innovative roo-ben sandwiches. Meez On Plus also shared that, “All of my staff are pretty bad arse women, too!”
2. The Wheatsheaf Hotel
The Wheatsheaf Hotel, commonly known as ‘The Wheaty’, is debatably one of Adelaide’s best pubs. The yesteryear, neighbourhood pub is located in Thebarton and serves craft beers, intriguing wines and whiskeys to boot, along with bevvies from their award-winning in-house brewery, The Wheaty Brewing Corps. The drinking house is adorned with retro furniture without a pokie machine or flatscreen in sight, where you can cozy up to an open fire, catch some live music, gaze upon some local art, relax in the leafy beer garden, or try your hand at pool. Thanks are in order to publican Jade Flavell, who has cultivated The Wheatsheaf Hotel for over 20 years, and “Welcomes all and any who value a fine beverage in good company,” Jade and Maeve share.
Where: 39 George St, Thebarton
3. Bamboogoo
Bamboogoo is an all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free tattoo and laser care business founded by co-owner of Meiji Tattoo Studio, Guinness World Recorder holder, and award-winning tattoo artist, Jade Baxter in 2019. Jade tells us that, “Our high-quality solution has been crafted by experienced professionals with over 21 years in the industry, with tattoo clients healing in mind. With its refreshing juicy scent and dedication to healing, Bamboogoo’s premium solution is a luxurious and sophisticated choice for your tattoo and laser needs.” Along with one Secret Adelaide reader commenting that Bamboogoo are, “Absolutely crushing the vegan tattoo aftercare scene!”
4. Tradie Lady Adelaide
34-year-old, Leanne Kirkaldie is just getting started when it comes to Tradie Lady Adelaide. Leanne is an electrician with the know-how, but is also quite handy with a number of jobs like mounting TVs, hanging frames, and other home improvements and fixing. In a male-dominated industry, Tradie Lady is one to keep on your radar for needs in Adelaide and surroundings.
5. Enliven Outdoor Adventures
Getting into the great outdoors can be daunting at times, and that’s where Enliven Outdoor Adventures comes into play. 29-year-old founder, qualified teacher, and outdoor guide, Elise started her business in 2020 and aims to inspire, lower barriers and create opportunities for women and girls to reap the benefits of outdoor adventure for their body, mind, soul and planet; with the hope that by connecting more women with nature, they will then become advocates for nature. Get into some small-group and beginner-friendly stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and bushwalking experiences, lessons and retreats for women across South Australia.
Elise says, “It’s so rewarding seeing women’s walls come down when they try something out of their comfort zone in the outdoors, and I really believe that the confidence and self-belief they gain in my sessions helps these women in other areas of their lives!”
6. Great Nature Vegetarian Snacks and Grocery
Just a short ways south of Adelaide in the seaside suburb of Christies Beach lies Great Nature Vegetarian Snacks and Grocery. Jeanie Walker signed the lease in 2016 for her vegan paradise and got renovating with her three daughters. Whether you’re after a bite to eat or to stock up your kitchen, Jeanie can lend a helping hand; having trained as an apprentice chef 34 years ago, she knows a thing or two about food!
Jeanie says, “The multicultural menu changes every day; I work very hard to keep the meals affordable, and I also provided frozen ready meals during Covid.”
“As the only person in the business I can be very flexible. I fill all positions from the chef to the waitress, bookkeeper, store person and dishwasher, and I love every minute of it.”
“Everyone is welcome here; people come to connect and feel included. My customers are my family, and Great Nature is my happy place,” Jeanie shares.
Where: 3/48 Beach Rd, Christies Beach
7. Kennedy Parker Shoes
Just off of Rundle Mall in Adelaide/Gay’s Arcade you’ll find Kennedy Parker Shoes; an up-scale store specialising in high-quality, men’s footwear. Founder Jayne-Anne combines the art of leather shoemaking with wearable designs which really just take your tootsies to the next level when it comes to comfort and style.
Where: Adelaide Arcade/Gay’s Arcade, Rundle Mall
8. Key Conveyancing Services
If you find yourself in the position where you’re either selling or purchasing a home, Key Conveyancing Services has got your back. Owner, Melissa Belton established the business in January of 2015, and the team bring a fresh and positive approach to the industry, in which they’ve collectively had over 20 years’ experience. Melissa says, “Your needs are our number one priority and provide advice in all areas of conveyancing.”
Where: Shop 3/985 North East Road, Modbury
9. Edna’s Vet
South Australian local and single mother of two, Amanda has been working as a vet in small animal hospitals all over Australia and the UK for almost three decades. And two years ago, Amanda recognised a need for an experienced, empathetic mobile vet service in Adelaide; that’s when Edna’s Vet was born.
“It was a scary step to leave my job in the Adelaide Hills and start my mobile vet business, providing a personal and convenient service for dogs and cats and their people. Whether it’s for those who struggle to get out of the house or for big old dogs that can’t get into the car, there is a real need for a home vet service. I also do home euthanasia for pets, which is a highly emotional time for people, and I believe I make it a little easier for them to say goodbye,” Amanda shares.
10. The Organik Store & Cafe
Lee Boys, owner of The Organic Store & Cafe in Glenelg was nominated by our readers for providing a community hub for healthful goods, delicious cafe fare, and a lively community space. Here, you can find everything from beetroot lattes, herbed eggplant cutlets and peach melba French toast, to locally made candles, organic groceries, fresh sourdough bread, medicinal mushroom powders, and even an in-house florist, Tilly who creates stunning arrangements which are sure to brighten any day.
Where: 37 Broadway, Glenelg
11. Allin Towbars
Allin Towbars is dead-set the place to be if you’re in the game for moving some big things about. The company is one of Australia’s top towbar manufacturers and is owned and managed by four South Australian sisters, second generation from the Gynell family. They’ve been in the biz for a whopping 75 years, with all their products made here in South Australia using Australian-made steel wherever possible. One Secret Adelaide reader commented, “Allin Towbars are such an awesome bunch of ladies smashing it in a massively male dominated industry.”
Where: 175 Richmond Rd, Richmond
12. ProMind Psychology
Karen Stevens was struggling to find a psychology practice that sparked her sense of joy, or ‘lit her mojo’, as she says; and that’s when Karen decided to start her own, known as ProMind Psychology in Mile End. One glance at ProMind’s logo and you’ll come across the international symbol of ‘welcome’, which just so happens to be a pineapple, and that’s the space Karen has created; “Where people can feel safe and calm in their journey to understanding themselves,” she shares.
Where: 62 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End
There you have it, 12 of the many women-led and owned businesses in Adelaide. You can find all 600 answers we received on our Facebook status below. Happy International Women’s Day!