Jennifer Swaine was born in Hay, and later moved to Narrabri where she completed her HSC.  Jenny had two brothers and two sisters but sadly her youngest sister who had Downs Syndrome passed away suddenly at the age of 17.  Jenny’s parents were incredible people and there was always room for someone else at out table.  After finishing her HSC, Jenny headed to Sydney for an audition with NIDA but got cold feet and instead walked into the Head Office of Colonial Mutual where she knew the General Manager and naïvely asked for a job – which she managed to get! Jenny spent the next 25 years working in marketing and branding for some of Australia’s largest insurance and financial institutions.  She met Steve, her husband when she was 28 and they were married two years later. Sami (now 24) and Jarrod (21) came along a few years later. Both children were chronically ill with asthma and so Jenny took some time off and studied interior design and started her own business in Sydney which she successfully ran until they moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2010. It was the middle of the GFC, so Jenny decided to return to her roots in marketing and was lucky enough to secure a role working with Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers.  Jenny later worked with Wishlist and then Ray White Commercial before starting her own business in 2018.

Jenny, you’ve worked in so many areas and have held many amazing roles over the years, can you tell us a little about and the driving force behind?

Early in my career I earned the reputation for getting things done.  Nothing was impossible and I loved a challenge.  This saw me promoted very quickly in my career in insurance and financial services in Sydney and I was fortunate enough to be involved in the rebranding of National Mutual to AXA in my early thirties where I was responsible for rolling this out to all our advisors right across the country.  It was a lot of responsibility, but I loved it.  I also became an expert in risk products and my ability to write saw me publish several articles which encouraged my love of writing.

To this day I still enjoy a challenge and diversity in my work which is why I love running my own PR and communications business.

What guided you towards volunteering and chairing the Sunshine Coast Business Awards?

I first got involved with the SCBA as a judge in around 2015 and I was just blown away by the incredible people and business I would interview. I had no idea the depth of the talent, across so many industries that we had here that I had not heard about.  And I figured if I did not know about them – others must not either.  I knew that if we could share their stories more, both locally, and interstate then the Sunshine Coast would benefit.  When the opportunity came up to take on the role as Chair in 2018, I readily accepted as I knew that, with the backing of the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance and a committed committee, we could take the SCBA to a whole new level, building on the hard work that had already been done by others.

You’re an avid advocate for the Sunshine Coast. What makes this area special and why is it dear to your heart?

I love the Sunshine Coast and everything about it – but for me it’s the people that make it special. Having originally come from Sydney we moved here in 2010 and it was like finding a piece of heaven. The wide array of innovative and bespoke businesses we have here makes us truly unique and it’s fitting that we have become known as the entrepreneurial capital of Australia. Helping to share the stories of the talented business people we have here just comes naturally – I want the world to know what we are doing and if I can play a small role in showcasing these businesses I will.

How important is volunteering, community and business collaboration in a region?

Volunteers are the backbone of any region. We cannot do without them, and they make a difference in so many areas. As an example, the SCBA relies almost entirely on volunteers. The awards committee and I (there are 11 of us) are all volunteers, the 26 judges are all volunteers, and we are managed by the Sunshine Coast Chambers Alliance who are also all volunteers. Supporting the awards are all the various business groups and chambers of commerce and the people on those committees are also volunteers. So, in short, our volunteers, particularly in the business space, all contribute to the thriving business community we have today, and we could not do it without any of them.

What traits and qualities do you admire in a leader?

For me a good leader is someone that empowers others to learn, develop, grow and shine while ensuring the ship is heading in the right direction.    A good leader also understands it is not about them – it’s about the people they work with and what they can achieve together.  When the destination is reached a great leader recognises the efforts of the team – because he or she knows that without that team the goal would have been unobtainable.

And what’s next on the agenda for Jennifer Swaine?

With my volunteer hat on I am looking forward to growing the SCBA over the next few years under the guidance of the SC Chamber Alliance, finding other ways to showcase the finalists and winners.

In my own business I am really enjoying working with several high-profile clients both here and in Brisbane and will be adding to my team over the coming months. Being on the board of Visit Sunshine Coast also keeps me busy and as we come out of nearly two years of lockdowns it will be great to showcase this region and attract visitors here once again.
And finally, when time permits you can find me sitting on my John Deere mowing my ten acres or out having a quiet lunch with my husband of 27 years.

Favourite food and why?

Fresh prawns, avocado and mango washed down with a chilled glass of white wine – it reminds me of Summer.

If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would love the chance to have my dad back for just one night and to ask for his wisdom and thoughts.

What mantra do you live by?

Be authentic and have integrity with everything you do – even if it means you have to walk away from something or someone.

To find out more about Jenny head to:

Website
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferswaine/

https://sunshinecoastbusinessawards.com.au/