Business Owner

DSC_4723

     TRITIA DEVISHA

“I’ve always found the mundane boring.”

My name is Tritia DeViSha. Most people know me as Trish, because 99% of people I meet never know how to pronounce my first name when they see it written, so I just try to make it simple.

I’m an actress, model, filmmaker, presenter, creatrix, & Yoga & TaiChi/Qigong Instructor, as well as many other things. I’m an artist at heart, and I wear many hats; my practice is the glue that unifies everything & keeps it all together.

I am passionate about everything I do and have in my life, and I let my passions drive me.  I believe that life needs to be lived with passion, as it is said in the three points of Lord Shiva’s trident (or Trishul), follow your passion. When you are working with Passion you find Purpose, and with Purpose you achieve Power, the Power of the Universe working behind you to achieve your goals & dreams. Continue reading →

DSC_3888

     SHAUN QUADE

“You ask yourself what sort of restaurant do you want? What kind of food will we do? Who will be our customers?”

I am a chef-owner of Lûmé restaurant in South Melbourne.

I wanted to cook from an early age, despite not having any role models who were adept in the kitchen amongst my family. I’m not sure why, cooking was just something I was drawn to.

High school was a necessary evil, I didn’t get much out of it. I’ve always been quite self-sufficient, and if there’s something I want to learn, I will take it upon myself to do so – I won’t wait to be taught. I find researching and learning something on my own a lot more satisfying.

One of my first jobs was working at McDonalds Continue reading →

MAR_0292

     JESS GABRIELLI

“I’ve learnt over the years that nothing should stop you from asking for what you want.”

I am an artist and a movement practitioner, primarily sharing my work through coaching in the field of strength and conditioning. Recently, I combined both these passions into a business called Foldenmove.

I grew up doing ballet and gymnastics, and perhaps through that I developed an interest in movement and fitness. At the same time, I loved art and that was my original direction. The subject I focused most on was always the human body; I was fascinated with ways that visually translated it, and my interest in human movement ended up feeding into it. Continue reading →

DSC_3301

     KAREN WONG

“I think of all the people I’ve helped in the last fifteen years to start a new life in Australia, and it brings me satisfaction.”

­I am an immigration lawyer and a businesswoman.

I started out wanting to be a doctor, but as a result of a serious illness, I changed my mind and decided upon law. However, I still had an interest in science, so I did a combined degree at Monash University – Bachelor of Science and Law. I thought that would lead my down the path of some science-related law work, like intellectual property.

But when I finished my degree, I found that as a newly admitted lawyer, the employment market was quite tough and I had to take whatever job was available to me at the time. I applied to a few places, and eventually got an offer through a recruitment agency to interview with a firm that was looking for a Chinese speaking lawyer. Continue reading →

DSC_3214

     VIRGINIA WARREN

“We’re a depressed lot, lawyers.”  

I am a partner in a general legal practice on the Mornington Peninsula. I’m also a registered yoga teacher and a writer.

In my law practice, I primarily work in the areas of family law, commercial law, wills and estates. The work is varied and addresses the community needs. Working in a smaller practice, offers greater lifestyle benefits than that of our city colleagues.

I discovered yoga accidentally in the literal sense and I will now also say that I accidentally became a lawyer. Continue reading →

DSC_3109 - Copy

     DONALD GORDON

“I recall a very interesting case where a funeral parlour was being operated from a home.”

I am a senior instructor and course leader for legal practice at Victoria University, director on a Victorian government board, law author and run my own law firm.

I was born in Fiji. My father grew up in a very poor rural farming community, he was very studious and bright, which saw him cross the ocean by boat to England, where he studied to be a lawyer through London University and the Middle Temple. He instilled in me the value of education and hard work.

Tragically my father passed away a few days before my tenth birthday in Fiji. Continue reading →

DSC_2944

   MATTHEW KARAKOULAKIS

“My wife is Brazilian, my father is Greek, and my mother is Aboriginal.”

I am the principal solicitor at my firm AMK Law.

I knew I wanted to be a lawyer from an early age. I was drawn to it because of the influence I believed lawyers wielded, and their ability to prevent others from being pushed around. I liked the idea of being able to take a strong stand and defend my views.

After high school I did a double degree at Flinders University – Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice & Bachelor of Commerce. As part of my university study, I had to get my Practical Legal Training (PLT) done. This is a final step that teaches law students the practical side of working in law: dealing with clients, business aspects, administration and record keeping requirements. Continue reading →

DSC_1855

     GARY BRILL

“It was my lucky break: ass, not class!”

Having sold my car dealership business, I am currently semi-retired, working on various property development projects.

From early childhood, I developed a drive to earn money. My dad and I lived in a one bedroom apartment, and instead of a car, he had a motorbike with a sidecar. We’d go camping, with our little old tent wedged between the bike and the sidecar, and I noticed other families arriving with cars and trailers, and bigger tents. We’d go walking and I’d note the lavish holiday homes we encountered.

All these things triggered something in me, and I became very materialistic from a young age, a trait that guided much of life – perhaps not for the best.  Continue reading →

dsc_1146

      ROY ADAMS

“Wealth building happens outside of the 9-5”

I am a property investment coach.

I wasn’t a very good student in high school, mostly because I had a very difficult relationship with my parents: we didn’t get on at all. Home life was a constant struggle, which overflowed into my school life. I barely graduated.

After school, I went straight to the army for my compulsory military service. I didn’t like the army either. I mean, it’s not like I was expecting to get a nice ‘thank you’ – I realized I was doing my duty – but the commanders went out of their way to abuse and humiliate us, which cut too close to the bone, reminding me of home. Continue reading →

dsc_8264

     TERRY BARNES

“And the more I looked at it, the more I saw: yes, it is a winner! It’s genius!”

I run a RAMS Home Loans franchise.

In year 12, I had two different music teachers: one of them was horrendous and one was really good. So I decided there should be more good music teachers in the world, and I would become one of them. I liked music enough, and didn’t know what else to do with my life, so that seemed like a good idea.

I did a year and a half of a primary school teaching course, which ended up being a disaster. Whilst I was OK at the academic part of it, I found out during the practical components that I was no good with kids! After failing the teaching round, I left and joined my dad’s business, installing electronics like security systems, antennas and home theatre systems. Continue reading →