The Como Business Coaching team was privileged last week to attend the Gala Dinner for the Queensland “40 Under 40” entrepreneurial awards.
As supporters of Queensland business in general, Harmony and I were extra excited to celebrate one of our clients in particular (Jason Hawley, above) who was awarded one of the 40 Under 40 on the evening.
It was also an opportunity to catch up with some friends and familiar faces among the winners and judging panel; and as “Over 40s” to create some new relationships among a cohort scarily referred to as “young” and “the future” on multiple occasions.
Chosen from hundreds of applicants around Queensland, the 40 Under 40 winners represented a cross-section of inspirational talent in business and the arts. Congratulations to all those who were recognised on the night, and especially those who were further recognised with one of the individual awards.
Well done InQueensland and The Weekend Edition for supporting these Awards. And thank you to Shirley Lam for the photographs reproduced below.
Here are the Major Prize Winners
Jason Hawley, Founder and Chief Engineer at Finn Biogas
Como Business Coaching Clients Award, recognised by me as the 40 Under 40 winner who is also an active client and a great fun CEO to work with. This wasn’t an official prize on the night, but Jason is worth the shout out!
Kristen Souvlis, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Like A Photon Creative
InQueensland Media First Among Equals Award selected by the judging panel as the finalist who embodies the 40 Under 40 as the First Among Equals.
Daniel Mikus, CEO Commercial of Mr Roads
QUT Industry Innovators Award recognises an individual contributing to or a company who is a leading innovator in their field and is contributing to the prosperous future of our state.
Nic Blair, Founder and CEO of Midnight Health
Queensland Futures Institute Entrepreneurial Award recognises an outstanding lateral business thinker and risk taker exhibiting entrepreneurial flair.
Martinique Aprile, Managing Pharmacist of Discount Drug Store
InQueensland Rural & Regional Award recognises the individual who demonstrates influence and leadership in contributing to the prosperity of a rural or regional business and community.
Adam Sarota, Owner and Managing Director of Bridgeman
Soda Inspiring Future Leader Award celebrates an individual whose leadership and innovative vision drives progress and growth in a given industry. Nominees display creativity and industry awareness, equipping them with a capacity to predict and adapt to changing landscapes across the private or public sector.
Edward Ross, Co-founder and Director of TradeMutt
The Weekend Edition Game Changer Award recognises a person who has re-written the rules of business to challenge, inspire and spark significant change.
Brooke Saward, Director and Founder of Brooki Bakehouse
Betty’s Burgers Food Innovation Award recognising and celebrating innovation and excellence across all categories in the food and beverage industry.
Sarah Baldwin, Owner and Head Chef of Joy Restaurant
Aruga Creative Thinker Award recognises the person who best demonstrates thinking creatively in relation to any aspect of their business or endeavours, and showing the use of innovation to progress.
Holly Hunt, CEO and Founder of Women in Digital
Queensland Government Inspiring Female Leader Award recognises an outstanding female who leads, inspires and pushes the boundaries of the business community.
Here are the Additional 30 Winners, all of whom deserve recognition for being recognised.
Amy Parry, Anaphora Productions
Aspen Forgan, Barney Creek Vineyard Cottages
Angus McLachlan, Bopple
Bridie Schultz, Sativus
Courtenay Cleary, Concert Soloist
Craig Jed Holdsworth, THEE Group
Daniel Evans, Queensland Theatre
Dominique Lamb, Queensland Small Business Commissioner
George Drivas, Airport Retail Group Australia
Giuliana Bonel, The Empire
Jo-Anne Brechin, Nudge Co Studio
Luke Furness, Clayton Utz
Madeleine Little, Access Arts
Minh Trang Tran, Ming Ming’s Kitchen
Navid Toosi Saidy, Propel Health AI
Nicholas Paine, Dead Puppet Society
Peter Dodeja, SAI Security Group and SAI Investments
Rebecca Petroff, Sunstate Conveyancing
Rhetta Chappell, Relational Insights Data Lab
Rowena Taylor-Griffiths, The Tides Creative Production
Ryan Harvey, On Point Skin Cancer Clinic
Samantha Pickering, Queensland Computers
Scott Barker, Carbon Logica
Scott Millar, BOP Industries
Stacey Hollands, Lust Minerals
Taj Pabari, The ASE Group
Tobias Fischer, Queensland University of Technology
Todd Hacking, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia
Tom Oliver, Tom Oliver Productions
Viv Mellish, GYROstream
Thank you to everyone involved
Each of these individuals took risks to achieve what they have in their careers and business so far. There is something every business owner can learn from their success.
At Como Business Coaching, we work with business owners of all ages – as long as they are seeking support or courage to continue growing their business their way. More than 400 business owners in 14 countries have trusted Jacob Aldridge to improve their commercial, cultural, and personal outcomes.
If you want to keep growing, or unleash the potential you know lives within your business, take our free “Impact in Business” diagnostic quiz here or sign-up for our business emails.
I look forward to the 2025 Queensland 40 Under 40 Awards – maybe we’ll have more clients there next year as well!
