Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) Best Small Business of the Year winner Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour saw an increase in business during the COVID-19 lockdown in April. And has received national media exposure for the work Rebecca Dunning does running classes for people with a disability.
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Mrs Dunning's business also helps the environment by encouraging all students to remove three pieces of rubbish from the water at the end of every stand up paddle board session.
Her business won the IWIB Best Small Business Award in its first year with the peak networking group for businesswomen in the region and she couldn't be happier for the local recognition as an Illawarra business.
Mrs Dunning said there has been some significant changes for all businesses in 2020 and Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour has rolled with those changes and continued to grow.
She said her business was like all the others in the room at the IWIB Awards by being resilient and strong in the face of a challenging year.
"We need to show adaptability to continue to move on, move upwards and move forwards. And I think that is what we are doing," she said.
Mrs Dunning said everyone should also celebrate the leadership that has been shown in the community during COVID-19. She said she was proud to be part of a business that has itself helped so many people.
"I had a guy in a wheelchair. I couldn't believe it when we carried him down and put him on a big 17 foot SUP. When he got out in the water he swam for 15 minutes," she said.
Mrs Dunning said it reminded her of how important it is to look past limitations. Because people with a disability are just as strong, determined and passionate as anybody else.
She takes her job very seriously in helping people in all circumstances and from all walks of life to get out on the water and succeed.
Mrs Dunning said the recent story of Sara Egan and her achievements with cerebal palsy went national because it was such a positive message.
"18 months ago she couldn't stand up on a paddle board. She used to use my shoulders to stand up. But now she can stand up by herself for a whole session. And she is working her way towards SUP surfing."
Mrs Dunning said the thing she loved about her business is when she is out on the water even at sunrise it washes all her worries away.
In presenting the IWIB Best Small Business Award Graham Lancaster, of Lancaster Law and Mediation, said Mrs Dunning was an Academy of Surfing instructor, the first in Australia to be certified in stand up paddle, holds international accreditation and trains other instructors.
"Diversifying her business and income streams has naturally seen an increase in customers numbers with the best numbers in April," he said
Read more:
- Early Years Care named Best Business at 2020 Illawarra Women in Business Awards
- National voice for her industry Karen Meiring De Gonzalez recognised as Illawarra Business Woman of the Year
- How a mother and daughter's love of horses inspired a successful enterprise named Best New Business at Friday's Illawarra Women in Business Awards
- South 32 executive assistant Charlie Hook wins newest Illawarra Women In Business Award recognising the unsung heroes of many businesses
- Port Kembla mum and business woman Jess Arroyo named finalist in three national AusMumpreneur Award categories for her business Weigh Less With Jess
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