Mum and creator of the Burleigh Wagon.
Mum and creator of the Burleigh Wagon.
You’ve undoubtedly spotted Regan Merka’s colourful creation across the beaches (and pavements of the GC). And no, we’re not talking about Cool Cabanas, although these ingenious creations are almost as ubiquitous! Regan Merka is the remarkable mum and the creative mind behind the Burleigh Wagon. Offering a whole new level of convenience for parents on the go and a sleek design, it’s no wonder families across Australia (and beyond) are falling head over wheels for this game-changing stroller wagon. We dive into Regan’s journey, exploring the inspiration behind the Burleigh Wagon and the incredible impact her creation has had on parents and children alike.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
My family & I have been living on the Gold Coast now for 7 years. We are originally from Southern California in America. I first came here for graduate school at Bond University and fell in love. So, I knew someday I wanted to come back & raise a family here. Such a dream come true to be now doing just that!
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
I love the outdoor lifestyle here on the coast. The beautiful beaches, parks, outdoor markets, theme parks, and how easily accessible they all are. I love how kid friendly the coast is. There is always something fun to do and you can’t beat the weather in Queensland. Also, I have made so many lifelong friends here, so I would say the people are pretty epic too!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a mum of 2 beautiful and bright girls. One of our daughters is on the Autism spectrum, and we created the wagon for her. As special needs parents know, it can be extra challenging to leave the house. Our struggle to do just that, is what drove us to create a vehicle to help families like us get out for the house with greater ease and be able to stay longer and enjoy more.
For the last nearly 4 years here in Australia, my husband and I have run every aspect of the business ourselves, from social media to packing all orders. But we are really excited to finally expand our team this year.
For those who don’t know, what is Burleigh Wagon?
The Burleigh Wagon is an innovative stroller wagon that kids will ACTUALLY love to ride in and parents will love it too! It is an approved double stroller with a built-in esky, built-in Bluetooth speaker + charging ports, convertible bench seating for kids & adults, full sunshade, and so much more!
Tell us the inspiration behind starting Burleigh Wagon.
We struggled carrying all the gear with us on family outings (particularly to places like the beach). At the time, there were no wagons available here in Australia. So, I decided to design one myself that catered to children, but also adults too.
I didn’t want to have to carry any of the larger items for adventure days anymore: like a bulky esky, large surfboard, beach cabana, camping or fishing gear, kids bikes when not in use, etc. So, I added heavy-duty side storage racks to our wagons design- for all the bigger gear that was almost impossible to lug around all day.
I also wanted to create a wagon that could not only carry all the gear but the children safely too, and there was nothing on the market I could find that did both successfully. My daughter also needed a safe place for her to feel secure on outings and she hated the pram! So, we added safety features to comply with ACCC mandatory safety standards and we made the wagon transformable into a bench seat so our daughter could have a rest wherever we were, which we found super handy for us tired adults too!
We now feel a sense of ease when leaving the house, knowing we have an all-in-one vehicle for adventures that will transport all we need and also keep our children content on longer days out of the house. And now being able to help other families like us use their NDIS funding to purchase their wagons has been extra rewarding. It’s the best feeling to hear stories from families of children with disabilities tell us how much their Burleigh Wagon has helped their child feel included in the community, where they may have found it challenging at times before.
What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge so far for you?
Our biggest challenge from the beginning has been cash flow and staying in stock. Our wagon is an expensive product to manufacture. It takes 14 factories to produce all components needed for 1 wagon. Managing all these factories and coordinating shipments with cash flow vs demand has been difficult. We often run out of stock in our peak summer season due to the complexity of this juggling act.
We have been given a massive opportunity recently, that will hopefully alleviate this issue moving forward! So, keep an eye out for an exciting announcement soon 😉
You’ve just cracked the US market. Congratulations! What are you next plans or goals for Burleigh Wagon?
Thank you so much! We are so beyond excited to be in the USA. We had 1000’s of Americans sign up their interest for us to launch there, so it’s such a huge milestone for us to now be available for pre-order in North America, and just in time for their summer 🙂
We also hope to expand our warehouse locations to the east coast of the USA this year. We are currently operating out of San Diego California, but having distribution from both coasts will be helpful.
In addition, we plan to expand our range of products in the USA, as well as launch a new addition here in Australia later in 2023!
What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
To never give up, no matter how hard it gets. Many businesses fail because of lack of perseverance when times get tough. So, we have always tried our best to pivot when something isn’t working and try something new, which can often be scary, risky and unknown territory. But so far, our risks have been worth it and have kept us afloat during uncertain times like COVID and the current downturn in the market.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: Parkway Robina
Restaurant: Sofia’s, Broadbeach
Bar or place for a drink: Edgewater at Isle of Capri
Beach: Burleigh
How do you choose to spend your days off?
With my girls going on adventures! We love going to Mt. Tamborine & exploring. We also love the rock pools, Dreamworld, cruising up to Brisbane for some shopping in the city, a day trip to Tropical Fruit World or Cabarita. These are some of our fave things to do.
In a world often stereotyped by influencers in the beauty space, Jacine Greenwood-Drummond breaks down that image, and has achieved her success by good old fashion hard work and perseverance.
Now the multi award-winning business woman and respected cosmetic chemist is heading to New York, where her company Roccoco Botanicals has been nominated for a prestigious award. This marks the first time an Australian company has been nominated to receive an award in the international industry Cosmetics and Toiletries group’s Allēs Awards.
We chatted with Jacine about her business successes and why she loves the Gold Coast hinterland.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I have been a Gold Coast local for the past 3 years.
What do you love most about living here?
You can have the best of both worlds. Ocean, Mountains and Rainforest. I love the diversity of landscapes that you can experience on the Gold Coast. My favourite is the hinterland and I love losing myself in all that is Mount Tamborine. It is my favourite place as it unleashes my creativity.
Tell us about your career thus far.
I have had a few vocations as previously I had always needed mental stimulation as I got bored quickly. I have been in the Australian military for 3 years. I was a Registered Nurse. I am still a Beauty Therapist and have been in the industry for 27 years. Originally I self-taught myself cosmetic chemistry. I officially became a cosmetic chemist 5 years ago just for the piece of paper. I have a half-finished business degree. I have learnt more however from non-university training and being in the trenches of business.
Tell us about Roccoco Botanicals.
Roccoco Botanicals was born out of frustration of no products being suited for my acne-prone and sensitive skin. 50% of adult women get acne and the cosmetic industry fails to recognise this. My children then started developing eczema as well, so we then tweaked our formulas to be specific for ultra-sensitive skin as well. Most products are not suited for this. We have grown Roccoco Botanicals into 3 countries – Australia, USA and NZ. Roccoco Botanicals were listed in the AFR Fast 100 in 2021 and in the Financial Times this year in the High-Growth Asia Pacific List of Companies.
Congratulations, we hear your company Roccoco Botanicals has been nominated for a prestigious award, tell us about that.
Our Ruby crystal cleanser was nominated for the Alle Awards, which is an international competition that recognises ingenuity with formulation and research and development in cosmetics and toiletries. In the ten years the competition has been running, we are the first Australian brand to be in the finals. Judged by scientists from Chanel, Estee Lauder, and Universities. The Cosmetics & Toiletries Alle Awards honour the scientific discipline, formulating skill, resourcefulness and creativity of innovators engaged throughout the product development process. The award is the most prestigious recognition in the field of cosmetics.
What’s the most popular Roccoco Botanicals product?
Without a doubt, it is our award-winning Pore Cleansing Oil. It effortlessly removes makeup and loosens congestion in the skin whilst ensuring skin hydration is maintained. Our clients are obsessed with it. We won an award for it in 2019 in the USA for this cleanser.
What’s your personal favourite product from Roccoco Botanicals?
Oh, that is so hard, there are so many. I am obsessed with the Ruby Crystal cleanser but I love our moisturiser for acne-prone skins called Eruption Emulsion. I still at 51 get breakouts but I also get rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis as well. It is the one product that seems to target all of them and keep my skin calm and my rosacea under control. It makes my skin look and feel amazing.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: The Mountain Brew Coffee
Restaurant: Rubi Red
Bar or place for a drink: The Roosevelt Lounge
Beach: Tallebudgera Creek
How do you choose to spend your weekends?
I love staying at home on our acreage property with my husband, our children and our 11 pets. I normally travel a lot so I enjoy being home when I get the chance. Our property backs onto the river, so sailing on our boat or even just having a wine on the boat is always amazing. My husband and I go down together to just have couple time on the boat.
Nik Mirkovic, is one of the innovative minds behind the wildly successful HiSmile brand. With his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for creating accessible, effective products, Nik has transformed HiSmile into a global phenomenon. We delve into Nik’s journey, the inspiration behind HiSmile, and why the Gold Coast is the perfect base for big business.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I was born and raised on the Gold Coast (I’m currently 28 years old).
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
I love the Gold Coast lifestyle, it’s unlike anywhere else in the world. Cities around the world are either so big that you’re stuck in traffic trying to get anywhere, or they’re so small that you’re unable to have huge ambitions and build an amazing and hard working team. On the Gold Coast, I feel like we’ve got the perfect balance of the ambitions and drive of a major city, and the peace and tranquility of a small getaway town.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up on the Gold Coast and I always had a passion to compete and challenge myself. My lifelong dream was to play professional football and to take my career over to Europe and compete with the best full-time. After finishing school I went on to try and pursue my dream, moving over to the UK to trial with a few bigger clubs. Realising I wasn’t at the level to compete at the very top, I had to make the tough decision of moving back to Australia to find a new challenge rather than lowering my expectations and playing professionally at a lower level.
I absolutely love living on the Gold Coast, and it plays a massive part in who I am as a person. I couldn’t see myself moving away from this amazing city anytime in the future!
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting HiSmile?
HiSmile started off the back of a common pain point for teenagers at the time, they loved whitening their teeth but they hated the pain and sensitivity that came as a by-product. We wanted to create a product that delivered the results but without the pain and sensitivity of traditional whitening.
When you launched HiSmile absolutely took off. Your sales went from zero to $50 million in three years! How did you navigate that crazy time?
The growth and challenges over the years have been crazy, but we take things one step at a time. Alex (the other co-founder) and I have always been obsessed with understanding enough about every part of the business to be dangerous enough to make decisions across the board, rather than relying on outsourcing and not getting involved. This allows us to organise and control that chaos as opposed to that being out of our hands.
What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge so far?
The biggest challenge came a few years into the business when we decided to invest heavily into r & d and the backend operation of the business (finance, legal, supply chain, data, procurement, etc). These were large investments that wouldn’t result in instant growth and revenue, but it was an investment that we felt we had to make in order for us to take that next step forward as a company.
HiSmile has expanded its product range beyond teeth whitening. Can you talk about the decision to diversify and the process of developing new products?
Our goal is to become the biggest oral care company in the world and to take that category to another level, away from its traditional mundane past. In order to work towards that goal it means that we have to expand the way we look at oral care, and expand our product offering. We now offer cosmetic whitening, brightening, everyday toothpastes and toothbrushes, dental professional whitening, and dental specific products for targeted solutions. Our development process starts in our r & d facility on the Gold Coast where we bring our ideas to life.
What can we expect next from HiSmile?
We’ll continue to launch market leading and world first products. We’re looking to do things that haven’t been done before in oral care, so we aim to elevate the entire category through amazing products and partnerships.
What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
Never get comfortable and complacent, make changes before external factors force your hand to change.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: HiSmile cafe 😉 otherwise Tarte and Commune in Burleigh
Restaurant: Gemelli
Bar or place for a drink: Paloma Wine Bar
Beach: Rainbow Bay
How do you choose to spend your days off?
At the beach, with family and friends.
Any Gold Coaster worth their salt knows the gorgeous Business & Pleasure beach accessories. From beach umbrellas to towels and coolers the covetable brand is the epitome of GC cool and a must-have for summer. We chatted to co-founder and former Gold Coaster Lachlan Leckie about his growing family, running a successful business and why he loves a certain Cooly pizza joint.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
The biggest, would be the fact that I love to call it home. A lifetime of friends and memories have been made there and with all its quirks, it’s still one of the funnest, cleanest, happiest and stunning places in the world.
What do you miss most about living on the Gold Coast?
It’s easily: the warm water, white sand, my family and friends.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I was born and raised on the Gold Coast, and now reside in Ventura, California. I have a beautiful young family with my Californian dream girl Meg, 7 year old daughter Lyla, 4 year old boy Marli and a 3rd that we are expecting any day now! After finishing school I played in Coast band Rogerthat allowing me to travel and meet people all over the world.
Following that I founded an alternative surf label ‘The Salty Merchants’ which eventually merged into the new brand Business & Pleasure Co in 2017, where I am Creative Director and Head of Product Design (amongst other roles) and most of all, enjoying myself!
For those that don’t know, what is Business & Pleasure?
We are the designers and producers of beautiful outdoor products like beach and patio umbrellas and furniture, as well as well-made and purposeful accessories, for poolside or seaside enjoyment.
How did Business & Pleasure come about?
We spent a lot of time on the beach and had a beautiful vintage umbrella with the fringe and wood pole etc. At that time, there was no way to buy a new one and it would get a lot of attention. So it seemed a good addition to my small surf label I was running at the time, so I set out to learn how to make them. In doing this, I managed to gain some great knowledge and a huge collection of original vintage umbrellas (never used) from one of Australia’s last umbrella makers. We sold a mix of originals and produced our own and the umbrellas took off! Each winter I would head to California and try and break the market there but I was a drop in the ocean until one day I ran into an old friend I had met in the band days. He and his wife were living in California and doing well within the retail and fashion world there and loved what I was doing, so we joined forces and the rest is history!
As an entrepreneur, what are the biggest challenges you have faced?
Hate to bring up the M word but it is mostly money. It is hard to share a new vision and prove to investors or lenders that you’re worthy – but if people see you work hard and you can go hard on your own it will happen.
What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
The biggest contributor to success is grit and determination and never burn a bridge – you need a lot of friends to get where you’re going!
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: I’ve had a lot of faves, Zephyr down the road from our house in Kirra was amazing & Portside in Currumbin is always on point.
Restaurant: Have to give props to my brother’s new spot Franc Jrs in Cooly (and Francies – I’ll buy a return ticket when they open again haha).
Bar or place for a drink: My front balcony.
Beach: Greenmount and Kirra. And my son is named after Little Marli (the section between Snapper and Rainbow so that holds a special place in my heart).
How do you choose to spend your days off
There are no days off when you own a business haha, but the moments I have off I like to play music, surf and open an umbrella and chair down on the beach with the fam.
