From Idea to Legacy
Three Generations of Entrepreneurial Wisdom Ignite Hobart
At a luminous luncheon held at Hobart’s historic Anthenaeum Club, WCEI Tasmania brought together three remarkable founders whose stories, spanning youth, midlife and wisdom, sparked a powerful afternoon of candour, connection and inspiration.
What does it take to turn a vision into a legacy? On Wednesday, 1 April, WCEI Tasmania invited its members and friends to find out. The event, aptly titled From Idea to Legacy, brought together three extraordinary women entrepreneurs, each at a distinctly different chapter of their journey, for a candid, cross-generational conversation that resonated deeply with every woman in the room.
Hosted at the magnificent Anthenaeum Club on Davey Street, Hobart, the afternoon unfolded over a delicious meal, a welcoming glass of fizz, and most importantly, stories that lingered long after the last cup of tea was poured.
A Room Full of Ambition, Authenticity and Connection
WCEI Tasmania State Division President, Miriam Coleman, set the tone beautifully when she opened the event with a warm welcome. Her message was simple but profound. There is a seat at the table, just for you.
The organisation’s values were woven throughout the afternoon, ambitious leadership, a global perspective, connectedness, influence used as a force for good, and above all, authenticity. These were not just words on a page. They were lived and breathed by the three remarkable speakers who graced the stage.
Meet the Inspiring Panel: Three Women, Three Chapters, One Powerful Story
Freya Downie — Founder & CEO, Freya’s Delights: The Spark of Youth
Imagine beginning your entrepreneurial journey at the age of 12, stirring pots of dulce de leche on a Tasmanian dairy farm, using fresh milk straight from the family herd. That is precisely where Freya Downie’s story begins, and what a story it is.
“Be proud that you have done something. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. You’ve built something, and that alone is worthy of celebration.”
Born and raised in the stunning Derwent Valley, Freya turned a childhood passion for traditional caramel into Freya’s Delights, a thriving small business celebrated for its handcrafted, locally sourced products now shipped to kitchens right across Australia. Most recently, Freya partnered with a Melbourne café to create a signature salted dulce de leche coffee drink. In a consumer-led competition, her creation won over the city’s notoriously discerning coffee lovers. The drink now features on the menu at two Melbourne cafés. Not bad for a farm kid from Tassie!
Esther Rupenovic — Founder & CEO, Jack and Chelo: The Power of Community and Growth
Esther Rupenovic brought warmth, wit and an infectious passion to the panel. As the founder behind Jack and Chelo, Esther knows firsthand the courage it takes to grow a business, and the grace it requires to keep perspective along the way.
Speaking candidly about her journey, Esther acknowledged the honest tension between ambition and contentment that so many entrepreneurs feel.
“I wish I was bigger…I wish I was that size. But then I look at how much we’re growing year on year, and that’s pretty exciting too.”
She credited much of her success to the support of strong women around her, family, friends and mentors who championed her even in the earliest and most uncertain stages of her business. Her advice? Build your ecosystem deliberately, lean into communities like WCEI, and above all, be a good human.
Janis McKenna — Founder & CEO, Elm Consulting Australia: Late Is Not Too Late
If there was one message from the afternoon that reverberated through the room and into the hearts of every woman present, it was this: it is never too late.
Janis McKenna, governance and strategy consultant, board adviser and founder of Elm Consulting Australia, completed her MBA at 51 and has never looked back. Now in her seventies, Janis continues to consult with boards and leadership teams across Ireland, Australia and Ghana, contributing at the highest level with the kind of wisdom that only decades of experience can forge.
“Experience is not something to retire. It’s actually something to deploy. Any experience that you have is worth leveraging, so don’t just take it for granted.”
Her defining work, Late Is Not Too Late, is more than a title. It is a manifesto for women who have been told that their best years are behind them. Janis dismantles that myth entirely.
She also spoke movingly about the value of sponsorship and mentorship, acknowledging her own mentor, Diane Tompson, whose support over more than 20 years she credits as foundational to every success she has achieved. It was a powerful reminder that behind every great leader is an ecosystem of people who believed in them.
Key Takeaways for Women in Business and Leadership
Across three very different stories, common threads emerged that every woman in the room could carry home with them:
- Be proud of what you’ve built. Whether you’re just starting out or decades into your journey, the act of creating something is worthy of celebration in itself.
- Invest in yourself relentlessly. If you don’t invest in yourself, don’t expect others to invest in you.
- Build your ecosystem intentionally. Surround yourself with mentors, sponsors, peers and communities who will champion your growth at every stage.
- Experience is a superpower, not a liability. Age and wisdom are assets. Your experiences, all of them, have equipped you for what comes next.
- It is never too late to begin, pivot or soar. The entrepreneurial journey has no age limit. Whatever chapter you’re in, your best contribution may still be ahead of you.
About WCEI Tasmania: A Community Built for Women Who Lead
WCEI Tasmania is part of a global network dedicated to supporting women in corporate and entrepreneurial leadership. Through events like From Idea to Legacy, WCEI Tasmania creates the kinds of meaningful, honest conversations that move women forward, in their careers, their businesses and their lives.
If you weren’t able to attend, we hope this gives you a taste of the warmth, wisdom and inspiration on offer, and we look forward to welcoming you at our next event. As Miriam so beautifully put it, there is a seat at the table, just for you.
Are You Ready to Join the Conversation?
Stay connected with WCEI Tasmania for upcoming events, inspiring stories and opportunities to grow alongside a community of remarkable women leaders. Because no matter where you are in your journey, the beginning, the middle or the legacy years, your story matters here.
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