I had the great fortune of crossing paths with the amazing Helen Brierty a couple of years after opening my first Sunshine Coast travel agency, probably around 2001/2002. Having experienced the delectable Spirit House restaurant, I contacted Helen with the view of asking if I could assist her with their  frequent trips to Thailand, but she wanted to discuss a new initiative – Spirit House ‘Tag –Along Tours’ to Thailand for their restaurant and cooking school participants.

From the moment I met Helen and her husband, Peter, at their Sunshine Coast home, I felt a welcome part of their family and gained the most amazing mentor and supportive friend.

The Spirit House philosophy was to create a number of business divisions, centred on the Spirit House restaurant nucleus, each standing as a business in its own right. The restaurant supported and integrated with every division and always centred on contemporary Asian Cuisine.

The restaurant was a phenomenal success from the very beginning; people wanted the recipes as they loved the food the restaurant served, so the Cooking School was developed to teach people how to prepare for themselves. People couldn’t always get to the restaurant so a frozen, gourmet product line was produced so they could buy and heat to enjoy in their own home. The cook books were also developed; which started out as binded sheets of paper used as recipes for the Cooking School, and then turned into full blown, published cook books that are absolutely stunning. Tag-Along Tours were put together so people could experience travel the ‘Spirit House Way’, initially to Thailand but now venture into a number of amazing and some unique Asian destinations… they sell out instantly upon release, even several years on. Souvenirs and gifts are sold at the Cooking School as well as kitchen gadgets and a range of ingredients; which was the only place you could source initially outside of Brisbane – the Spirit House is always ahead of its time. Recently a new bar/cocktail lounge area has been opened at the Spirit House to cater for functions and weddings or for people to enjoy if they can’t get a table for dinner (which again is a frequent occurrence –  so get in early!).

I mirrored my own business in a similar fashion, offering corporate, group, cruise and conference/event divisions alongside my retail travel agencies, influenced and encouraged by Helen all the way.  She was always happy to support, gladly share her knowledge and encouraged me to follow my dreams.

Helen was one of the first people I thought of approaching to feature in a ‘SHINE’ing the Spotlight…’ story. She was an obvious initial choice for me, so it was with great sadness that I learned of Helen’s passing in early March. In recent years, I have worked closely with Acland (Helen’s son) and he has the same embracing, supportive attitude, is always eager to further develop the business and I have no doubt The Spirit House is left in safe hands and will continue to flourish, grow and develop new initiatives.

Helen has left behind an amazing legacy in Yandina, and has also touched the hearts of numerous people, throughout Australia and around the globe. She will be fondly remembered as one of the first, true business disruptors, a lady ahead of her time and who supported, helped, inspired, nurtured and empowered so many; a model example of everything that we stand for at SHINE Business Women.

Sending love and light to this amazing lady and her family.

On the third of March, Helen Brierty, owner of the Spirit House passed away from a short aggressive battle with cancer. Her husband, Peter and her two sons, Acland and Blake, are still running the show and it is business as usual – which is just the way she would have wanted it.

To say Spirit House was Helen’s raison d’etre would be an understatement. She poured her heart and soul in to Spirit House creating  something quite incredible in the back blocks of Yandina.

Never seeking limelight or fame she was always in the background pulling the strings that made this business the success story it is today and allowing the chefs and floor staff take the accolades.

The Spirit House was the stepping stone and launching pad for many fantastic careers of staff – all nurtured under the guidance, patience and care from Helen.

I have known Helen for 10 years and by reputation for many more years than that. She and her husband Peter were never scared to jump in the deep end and start a business from scratch – with no previous experience in the field. Peter was the dreamer but Helen was a fearless, caring woman, dedicated to the core, who just got things done – no fluff, no bravado, just sleeves rolled up common sense know-how and never one to shy away from doing the work that needed to be done.

The Spirit House was her life and it was where she was happiest , there was always something to do –  and we all should be so lucky in life finding our own personal Spirit Houses and taking the joy that she had in constantly tinkering and improving the dream – doing something with purpose and meaning.

Her final words to her sons were “Don’t Screw It Up” –  she was business to the very end.