Meet some of the businesses and people joining the Get It community. From hospitality and education to food, wellness and more, discover what inspired them to start, what they’ve learnt along the way and what makes their businesses special.
From strong foundations to a family practice
When Dr Sophie Ramsaroop started her business, she drew inspiration from her parents, both retired teachers who worked tirelessly to build a life from scratch. Their work ethic and dedication have stayed with Sophie and her brother, Dr Ishq Ramsaroop, as they have grown Ramsaroop Medical Centre & Aesthetic Clinic into a family practice combining general medical care with aesthetics.
The practice offers everything from women’s health, health and vitality checks and minor procedures to weight-loss and hair-loss programmes, genetic testing and wellness treatments. The aesthetic clinic complements this with facials, massages, chemical peels and microneedling.
For Sophie, one of the biggest lessons of running a business has been learning resilience and not taking things personally. It is a philosophy that has helped her navigate the challenges of building a practice while staying focused on providing holistic care for her patients.
A home filled with heart
At Essenwood Residential Home, Natasha Filmalter believes hospitality is about much more than meals, housekeeping and activities. It’s about creating an environment where residents feel comfortable, cared for and, most importantly, at home. With a background in hospitality, Natasha wanted to use her skills for something more meaningful. At Essenwood, she has found an opportunity to create a warm and joyful environment for residents every day, rather than providing short-term hospitality to hotel guests. “Listening is the most important skill,” she says. “Taking a few minutes to truly listen to a resident builds deep trust and shows them that they are valued.” While the nursing team takes care of residents’ medical needs, Natasha looks after what she describes as ‘the heart of the home’, overseeing daily meals, housekeeping and activities designed to bring fun and smiles to everyday life.
For Natasha, it’s the simple moments that make the role rewarding. Seeing residents enjoying a cup of tea in the gardens, laughing together and living with dignity reminds her why she chose this path. It’s the warm, family atmosphere that makes Essenwood special and being part of a place where residents feel valued is what makes her work rewarding.
Turning passion into opportunity
For Donna Mae Peenz, principal director of Blue Ribbon Culinary School, food has always been about creating opportunities and changing lives. Her vision was to build a place where people from all walks of life could turn their passion for cooking and baking into practical skills, gaining confidence and making meaningful careers.
That hands-on approach has helped Blue Ribbon train more than 1000 chefs, many of whom have gone on to build successful careers and businesses. Now, with the recent opening of a bakery at the school in Hillcrest, Donna Mae is extending that vision into the local community, sharing Blue Ribbon’s love of baking, while maintaining its commitment to quality, creativity and practical learning.
Her biggest lesson in business has been the importance of resilience and adaptability. Challenges and changing plans, she says, can often bring the greatest growth.
Donna Mae says the best part of being her own boss is having the freedom to turn ideas into opportunities, whether watching a student gain confidence, seeing a graduate succeed or bringing a new bakery to life.
From helping neighbours to helping communities
For NUSSA (National Utility Services SA) director and founder Natalie Christie, starting a business was never part of a grand plan. It happened organically after she began helping her landlords resolve issues with their municipal accounts. As she learnt more about municipal processes, people started turning to her for advice, with Facebook groups tagging her when someone needed help. Before long, people were asking her to assist professionally, and NUSSA was born.
Today, the business helps clients navigate municipal account issues, often taking away the stress and frustration of not knowing where to start. For Natalie, knowing she can make a difficult situation a little easier is what makes the work worthwhile.
Running a business has taught her the importance of patience and taking time to step back and reflect. While she admits she still struggles to slow down, she tries to make time to be present and appreciate the journey.
The best part of being her own boss? Building something with the potential to help more people and ultimately make a difference in the communities around her.
A place to feel good
Starting Beauties & Beasts Spa was about creating more than a place for treatments for the founder. With a passion for people, she wanted to create a space where clients could switch off from the outside world, feel cared for and leave feeling happier and refreshed. That philosophy remains at the heart of her spa today.
The founder believes it’s not simply about providing a treatment, but creating an experience where clients feel comfortable and appreciated. Her motto, ‘Relax, Renew, Revive’ reflects what she hopes people experience when they walk through the door.
Running a business has taught her the importance of believing in yourself, particularly when things don’t go according to plan. Setbacks and difficult days, she says, are often where the greatest lessons are found. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but comes from continuing to show up, learn and move forward. For the founder, being her own boss brings the freedom to dream big, try new ideas and watch those ideas become reality. Most rewarding of all is seeing other people grow alongside her and knowing the business creates opportunities for others too.
