Angie Mansey is a proud (depending on if they are behaving on the day) mother of four rather energetic sons and married to her best friend, Luke, who has been listening to her incessant chatter since 1996. A full-time carer to one son and a laundry slave to all four (five, if hubby is included), Angie is an award-winning business woman, confident public speaker, and philanthropist with various causes close to her heart. Angie is also the Founder and Director of Driven by KM, a charity that provides financial support to the families of terminally and chronically ill children on the Sunshine Coast. An enthusiastic believer that a cup of tea fixes most things, and an outstanding ability to remember ’90s music lyrics but never can recall which way is east, Angie is also fluent in sarcasm and positivity.

Angie, tell us a little bit about your role and what you are working on now, and how did you get there?

I am the owner and director of Kuluin Mufflers, the founder and Director of charity “Driven By KM” and recently a published author. I bought Kuluin Mufflers with my husband 5 years ago and I took on the managing position which encompasses a large and varied role. I am in charge of the company’s financials; accounts, payroll, growth and investments. I am the events co-ordinator and organise typically (pre-covid) 5 car related events per year, with a major fundraising event annually. I am in charge of our company’s merchandise range and I design and co-ordinate all the new clothing and accessories lines that we launch. Add to that the advertising, social media accounts and customer service role and we have a good feel for a well-rounded role in my business. I juggle this with running the financial accounts, speaking events and PR for my charity “Driven By KM” and also now am about to start the next chapter which will see my book “How I made Lemonade” released into bookstores and available internationally.

How did you feel when you were announced as a Telstra Business Award Winner and how has this assisted your profile – personally and professionally?

Winning the award for Telstra was such an incredible experience that allowed me to really start meeting some seriously professional business people and some inspiring role models that I look up to. Telstra assisted me by giving me some wonderful opportunities with travel and becoming part of the Business Chicks family which has opened up some exciting doors for me. Professionally it helped me get my charity into the spotlight, therefore being able to assist more families in need and it also has given me introductions into places that I couldn’t have easily achieved before. Personally, my family and friends are always incredibly supportive when I receive recognition or accolades and moments such as winning Telstra have been wonderful reasons to celebrate together.

You do a lot of work for charity. Can you tell us a little about and why this is so important to you?

Being a proactive philanthropist is something that I believe to be incredibly important. Throughout life everyone needs assistance at some stage and I want to make sure that I give back to those in need as much as I can. Founding my own charity “Driven By KM” was important to me as I personally had struggled financially many years ago when my son was spending significant time in hospital and undergoing surgery. I didn’t want anyone else to experience those hardships, so I did something about it. I created a charity that gave financial support to families who were also struggling in our community as they navigated the role of parenting a chronically or terminally ill child. I think everyone has a role to play in supporting those around them and I have found mine.

What made you want to decide to write a book?

I think it was something subconsciously I had wanted to do for some time as I really enjoy writing, but honestly, I never imagined I would. In my memoir I have written things that I have never publicly spoken about so I can’t quite explain how it suddenly came to be on paper but I opened my computer one day and it just poured out of me. I think I was frustrated with a few things going on around me and I just felt that I needed to be raw and open about my life and own some of the things that I have left in the past. None of my past defines me but it certainly has shaped me and I think I wanted to share what that was with people.

What decision changed your life?

Becoming pregnant at 16 years old with my eldest son. I couldn’t imagine life without him, we grew up together, just the two of us and I will always be so proud of being a mother, I think it is the greatest role I will ever have. I now have 4 gorgeous sons and it is a privilege to have such a large family. But being a mum from such a really young age meant that I have really created my world around my children and it certainly is a defining factor in my life.

And what’s next on the agenda for Angie Mansey?

My book “How I made lemonade” will be filling up my calendar for the next few months as it hits the bookstores and with some exciting events that coincide with the launch, so it will be a really fantastic time for me. My business is also growing at a quick pace and is about to take another big step forward very soon which will be brilliant and scary all at once. Most of all for the next 6 months it will be juggling all the balls in the air as best I can.

Coast or City?

The coast is where my heart is, I grew up here and nowhere else in Australia comes close to that feeling of “home”.

Favourite book?

One of my most loved books would be “America’s Queen: The life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, I have read it at least a dozen times in the past decade and it would have to be one of my favourites.

What do you do in your spare time?

Any moment not spent working is spent with my children, I love going on bush walks or to the beach with them, having them by my side is my favourite place to be.

To find out more about Angie head to:

Website
https://www.angiemansey.com/

Facebook
@angiemansey