SHINE’ing the Spotlight on… Angelique Hallett

Angelique Hallett started Loving Hope Bears, a social enterprise, that allows customers the opportunity to support children in local domestic violence shelters by giving them a new teddy bear. To develop her entrepreneurial skills, Angelique completed programs for young entrepreneurs such as the DeLorean Project and Generation Innovation, while also earning diplomas in business and event management. Angelique’s goal is to dramatically decrease the long-lasting effects of domestic violence on children by providing them with comfort. Angelique at the age of 17 was awarded the 2021 Young Citizen of the Year for the Sunshine Coast. As well as the Queensland 7News Young Achiever Award for Create Change sponsored by the University of Queensland.

Angelique, you’re still at school and studying but are finding the time to get your business off the ground which is fantastic, can you tell us a little about Loving Hope Bears and the driving force behind?

Being a 15 year old, I knew for a fact that I could not fix ‘domestic violence’, that I couldn’t stop people from mistreating other people, and I wasn’t going to start poking fingers at people who were creating the problems. At my age, that wasn’t my place. It was after I broke down the aspects of domestic violence that I really connected with the children experiencing these situations. It broke my heart when I started researching and finding the long-lasting effects domestic violence has on children throughout their teenage years and adulthood. At this point I knew I had to do something about it. I found that teddy bears have a proven positive developmental impact on the child, they help reduce anxiety and strengthen children’s ability to express themselves and form relationships. To me this is important, I need to create change for the next generation.

What guided you towards working to assist others and why now?

The DeLorean Challenge showed me I can make a change in the world, even though I am small, I can make a difference.

Last year you were a entrepreneur in the Generation Innovation Challenge. How did this help with getting your business off the ground and how did it influence or shape your way forward?

GI gave me a huge network of people which connected me with great opportunities, and developed my skills. With so many mentors and specialists there, I was given so many different opportunities with the amount of different mindsets and opinions everyone had.  From the GI mentors and network, I was further nominated for the 7News Young Achiever Award, Create Change category for Queensland, which I won. From receiving this award I have spoken at student leadership conferences, business meetings and more DV Shelters are now aware of Loving Hope Bears and doors are opening for the children to have a Loving Hope Teddy Bear.

You were recently awarded as the Sunshine Coast Young Citizen of the Year. What has this meant for you?

To be acknowledged for doing something I thought was small and all the background work nobody sees, was amazing. Loving Hope Bears turns out to be something much bigger and becoming Australia wide, so I am honoured to have received the Young Citizen of the Year for Sunshine Coast 2021. It has opened doors and more opportunities to fulfil the goal of delivering Loving Hope Teddy Bears to all Children affected by Domestic Violence Australia Wide!

What traits and qualities do you admire in a leader?

Leaders I admire all share the same qualities of determination, motivation, positivity and of course confidence!

And what’s next on the agenda for Angelique Hallett?

Next year I am going to be traveling around Australia solo, while meeting and connecting with Domestic Violence shelters, inspirational speaking at business and club meetings, school leadership events, women’s groups and more to bring awareness for the action needed and creating change. While expanding Loving Hope Bears Australia Wide.

What is your favourite food?

My mum’s apple crumble is amazing! By far the best there is, it is the sweetest, crumbliest, softest flavoursome mouthfuls!

What is one thing you do for yourself to relax?

My favourite way of relaxing is going to the beach. It is so refreshing, the sand on my feet, beautiful water ripples, colours of the ocean, calming sound of the waves, oh I could go on about every little detail forever. The beach is where I go to spend time for myself.

What mantra do you live by?

Everything always happens for a reason! In every situation there is a plan already made ahead of us.

To find out more about Angelique and Loving Hope Bears head to:

Website
https://sharelovinghope.square.site/

Facebook
@ShareLovingHope