Before she was Mackay’s queen of calm and queen of the label maker, Adrienne Bradshaw was in scrubs and headsets working in nursing, then in media and PR. But it was her love for turning chaos into calm that led her to create Get It Sorted Mackay.
Read the full storyIf you think running a machinery and admin gig sounds dull, you’ve clearly never met Matt Fry. With a love for strategy games, storytelling, and sorting dirt, Matt’s story proves life doesn’t need to be flashy to be fascinating, it just needs to be real.
Read the full storyMeet Jason, the down-to-earth, dirt-under-the-fingernails founder of Get Turfed Pty Ltd, a family-run turf installation business that’s been greening up the Whitsundays and Mackay region since 2003.
Read the full storyAndrea is a fifth generation coal miner and it’s where she started her career also.She started underground in 2001 and was one of the first few female underground coal miners in Australia, and it delighted her grandfather in the UK.These days, Andrea has swapped the mine site for changing peoples lives through meaningful employment. As a Business Development Consultant with Aimbig Employment, she’s the powerhouse behind connecting employers with the right people.
Read the full storyStar Sign: Aquarius
Fav Movie: Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit
Fav Colour: Blue
Fav Holiday Destination: Hamilton Island
Fav Music: Triple J
Fav Quote: Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better
Sam Dunbar is a man who values his time both on and off the clock. When he's not busy managing his electrical business, which he founded in 2020 after starting his apprenticeship in 2009, you might find him indulging in a round of golf or working on his property. However, the role he cherishes most is that of a father and a partner.
Sam is engaged to his "gorgeous" fiancé, Angela, and together they are raising three daughters: Dempsey, Eloise, and Bronte. Their family is rounded out by their three fur babies, a collection of goats, and plenty of chickens, all contributing to the bustling household.
Balancing the demands of running a business and being a present father to three young girls is, according to Sam, his greatest challenge yet. Despite the busyness of life, Sam maintains a positive outlook, describing himself as a chatterbox, hard-working, and a comedian. These three words capture the essence of a man who is not only dedicated to his work but also knows how to keep the mood light and enjoy the moments that matter most.
In a life full of activity and responsibility, Sam Dunbar finds joy and fulfilment in the love of his family and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Star Sign: Libra
Fav Movie: Stepbrothers
Fav Colour: Black
Fav Holiday destination: Italy
Fav Music: Dermot Kennedy
Fav Quote: It is what it is
Tell Us Something most people don't know about you?
I am a very superstitious person
Shannon Reynolds, who is originally from Rockhampton, has been a proud resident of Mackay since 2012. With a passion for creativity and a strong commitment to her community, Shannon’s life is a blend of artistic expression and heartfelt service.
Shannon loves spending her weekends cheering on her 11-year-old son at soccer games and carnivals. Alongside her professional career, she also runs a Balloon and Event business which allows her to channel her creative energy into making people smile, which she finds immensely fulfilling.
Shannon’s personal life is anchored by a loving and supportive family and a circle of fiercely loyal friends. She cherishes these relationships, valuing the encouragement and care they bring to her life.
Professionally, Shannon’s journey began with a hairdressing apprenticeship, but she quickly realised it wasn’t her true calling. Despite this, she completed the course, embodying her belief in finishing what she starts. For the past eight years, Shannon has thrived in the field of Employment Services, gaining experience in Transition to Work, Disability Employment Services (DES), and now AimBig Employment.
In her current role, Shannon is committed to providing honest and reliable service, focusing on quality over quantity. She collaborates with local employers in the Mackay and Whitsundays region, tailoring services to meet the unique needs of both employers and job seekers. Her dedication to community engagement has also earned her a spot on the Mackay Local Employment Task Force Committee.
Shannon describes herself as honest, positive, and empathetic—qualities that shine through in both her personal and professional life. Above all, she finds joy in helping others and making a positive impact, believing that loving what you do is the key to changing lives.
Star Sign: Gemini
Fav Movie: The Notebook
Fav Colour: Red
Fav Holiday Destination: Greece & Italy
Fav Music: Any Genre
Fav Quote: “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” - Estée Lauder
Originally from Victoria, Kerri McIntyre has enjoyed a dynamic and colouful career across a diverse range of sectors, before finding her passion in real estate almost two decades ago.
She started out as a hairdresser and, at the age of 20, owned her own business. At 21 Kerri bought her first home and her career as a hairdresser resulted in 17 years in the profession. She then gathered further experience at a Solicitors office working alongside legal professionals which she found interesting.
Another goal of Kerri’s is to help other people achieve theirs, and she found she was able to do this best by becoming a real estate agent, a career change she absolutely loves!
“I love communicating with people, I have now been a Real Estate Agent for 16 years and absolutely love it,” said Kerri.
“Connecting and building relationships with people is a fantastic aspect of Real Estate and those relationships sometimes turn into lifelong friendships. Thank you’ to all past and future clients for entrusting me with your greatest asset; I am grateful.”
Life has not always been easy for Kerri who tragically lost her husband to cancer, forever changing the life of her family. Having gone through such pain, she reflects that she can always connect with people on a deeper level and is always touched when others share their stories, offering support to those in need.
“This is something that touches my heart dearly when I hear of these all-too-familiar stories from other families, going through tough times. I like to be a support for them and help out any way I can.”
Fast Facts:
Star Sign: Leo
Fav Movie: Secondhand Lions
Fav Colour: Orange
Fav Holiday destination: Anywhere in the Whitsundays
Fav Music: Folk and Rock
Fav Quote: “Go the extra mile, it’s never crowded”
Tell Us Something most people don't know about you: Worst Karaoke singer
Tiffany Clark, Director of Coastal Blinds Mackay did not always have a career in homeware and decorating, she originally worked as a legal secretary but quickly found her passion in interior design when she worked for a local floorcovering company. It was there that she fell in love with helping people with their houses and inspiring them with practical ways to turn a house into a home.
“After marrying a local builder and having three beautiful children, dreams of becoming the next Metricon Homes took a reality check,” says Tiffany with a laugh.
“We soon realised we wanted to find a job that was challenging and interesting, yet still flexible enough to work around family life.”
Tiffany and her husband started to work together and when they did, they worked alongside a mentor who had run a successful window coverings business interstate. Their mentor provided them with the ins and outs of the industry and Tiffany and her husband became hooked and knew it was the profession for them.
Tiffany said her and her husband make a great team. “Leigh measures, meets our wonderful customers and installs. Apart from the odd times extra assistance is required with colour selections, I do most of the behind-the-scenes jobs – quoting, invoicing, stock control etc. We often joke that he is the looks of the organisation and I am the brains,” said Tiffany.
When Tiffany is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family on the beach.
Fast Facts:
Star Sign: Leo
Fav Movie: It would have to be Notting Hill. I’m a sucker for a romantic movie
Fav Colour: Green
Fav Holiday Destination: Europe
Fav Music: That’s a hard one; I like a bit of everything
Fav Quote: Character is power
Tell Us Something most people don’t know about you: I am not a fan of heights
A born and bred Mackay local Lauren Leeson is the owner of House of Lavender.
Before purchasing House of Lavender, Lauren was a kindergarten teacher but as the years went by, she realised she wanted to pursue her dreams of running her own business. Despite missing the children she loved watching grow, Lauren felt a calling for change.
Having always loved homeware and gifts, Lauren wanted to open a store of her own.
With a little nudge from her husband, Lauren purchased House of Lavender and she has never looked back!
Although purchasing the store and changing career paths has been a highlight for Lauren, stepping out of her comfort zone was also very challenging. Despite this, she adores her store and lovingly nurtures its growth.
Lauren and her husband have two sons and Millie the staffy completes the family. Her weekends are filled with sports, she plays netball and is always spending her free time around sports, whether her own or her two boys.
When she’s not rushing around on the weekend, Lauren enjoys spending time with her friends and if they get the chance, her and her family love to go camping and enjoy lots of family time together.