When Jacquie and I set out to create the Business Growth Network and Crecera.com.au, it came from a place of truly wanting to help people with the 40+ years of combined knowledge we'd developed over our careers. 

And very quickly we realised we wanted to host mentorship programs to help small business owners, entrepreneurs and solo traders get the most out of the resources and tools we'd created. 

We’ve seen far too many of our favourite small businesses close their doors lately, and we believe it can be avoidable. 

Together, we designed Crecera to be a place where small business owners get real support, practical tools, and expert guidance, especially when the going gets tough (which it often does).

“We have such complementary skills,” says Jacquie. “I’ve worked supporting businesses with their tax, business planning and financial support for many years, and Sarah is an award-winning digital marketing, content and social media expert. We just knew that we had some important knowledge to share with small business owners, especially during this period of financial instability everyone is going through.”

After conducting market research with small business owners, we were concerned to learn that:

• 30% of those we interviewed weren’t sure their business would survive the next two years
• A third said the likely cause of closing would be a lack of motivation or inspiration
• 60% said lack of support was a leading factor behind that uncertainty

That’s why we created Crecera, the Business Growth Network and our Six-Month Mentorship Program, to provide that missing support and to reignite the spark small business owners need to really thrive.

Three winners are better than one

Initially, we planned to award just one mentorship spot to a lucky entrepreneur. But after receiving almost 50 incredible applications, filled with honesty, bold visions, and unstoppable drive, we knew we were going to open it up to a couple more. How could we not?!

Today, we’re proud to introduce the 2025 Crecera Mentorship Winners—three passionate founders ready to take their businesses to the next level with expert guidance and real-world coaching.

Let’s meet them!

Kate from Hitch Perfect

📍Queensland, Australia

Kate is the founder of Hitch Perfect, a wedding planning business full of creativity, passion, and heart. With a strong foundation in client care and impactful events, Kate knows she’s got the skills, now she’s ready for the strategy.

“I am SO excited and so grateful to Sarah and Jacquie! Winning this mentorship feels like the exact boost my business has been aching for! I’m beyond excited to grow with their expert guidance and finally bring the vision I’ve had for my business to life.”

Kate’s drive is fueled by love for her industry and a deep commitment to building a future for her family: “I really want this opportunity for my family. My husband and my one-year-old deserve the type of family life this business can give us. I owe it to them to try my hardest to make it happen.”

Beth from NewCastle Home Designs

📍New South Wales, Australia

Beth is the founder of NewCastle Home Designs, which signifies a bold new chapter after decades in the industry. Beth is proving that success has no limit, and she’s ready to do it on her own terms.

“As a woman over 50, I’ve taken the bold step of turning decades of industry experience into my own business! I know the value I offer, but I need guidance to position myself more effectively, and build a thriving, resilient brand.”

With an incredible blend of professionalism and personality, Beth brings a fresh energy to the industry and is ready to go all in: “It’s not just about business growth—it’s about showing what’s possible when women like me start something new later in life. I can't wait to use this opportunity to refine my skills and elevate my business! It's just the platform I need to get serious.”

Kevin from Ardent Quest Travel

📍Victoria, Australia

Kevin is the heart behind Ardent Quest Travel, a business that embodies the belief that travel isn’t just about visiting somewhere different, it's a vehicle for change.

“At Ardent Quest Travel, we believe that travel is more than just an escape, it’s a powerful force for connection, transformation, and positive impact.”

Through immersive ecotourism, nature-based experiences, and community-driven travel, Kevin is on a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation for our planet while encouraging responsible exploration and meaningful cultural engagement.

“Like any thriving ecosystem, support and collaboration are vital to achieve our goals. I’m so excited to be able to learn from Sarah and Jacquie and actively drive forward my goals through expert guidance under this incredible program. With this business being a new venture, I believe Crecera will enable me to achieve my goal of making this a true success story.”

These three winners represent everything we love about entrepreneurship: big dreams, big hearts, and a willingness to keep showing up.

Stay tuned as we follow Kate, Beth and Kevin over the next six months, we’ll be sharing their stories, progress, and lessons along the way.

To everyone who applied: We cannot thank you enough, and we hope you apply for next year's mentorship. We read every single application that came through and were genuinely inspired. It was so hard picking our winners and we were very close to announcing even more, but of course that just wasn't possible. The Crecera Mentorship Program will return in 2026, and we already can’t wait to meet the next round of business owners ready to grow.

Want to access some of the resources and tools our mentees will be learning from? Join the Business Growth Network.