A new direction

Many Australians play with the idea of being their own boss, though few take the plunge and start their own business. For sisters Gail Gipp and Leeanne Thompson, the opportunity presented itself when their local Gloria Jean’s café in Gympie, Queensland went up for sale in 2015.

“My husband and I were looking to move to the area as the part of our sea change. I’d just left my previous job, so the timing was perfect,” Gail says. “Our parents had always run hospitality businesses that we both worked in while growing up, so we had some experience.”