Bohemian fashion label, Spell and The Gypsy Collective, was named Telstra’s Australian Business of the Year at a ceremony at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel on Monday night.
The Byron Bay business also won the 2016 Telstra Australian Small Business Award. It took home the same honours at the Telstra NSW Business Awards, last month.
Founded six years ago, Spell and The Gypsy Collective has amassed more than 800,000 followers on social media, including Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio and American singer Katy Perry, and currently ships to 130 countries. The business employs 50 women at its warehouse, office and flagship boutique in Byron Bay.
“Heartfelt passion, impressive business acumen”
Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Andy Ellis described Spell and the Gypsy Collective as a “very exciting business” that is demonstrating “significant innovation in the digital space” while “turning the traditional business model of the fashion industry on its head”.
The winner of Telstra’s Australian Medium Business Award, Jewel Fine Foods, also hails from NSW. Ellis said the business combines “impressive business sense” with “admirable values”
Other winners of the 2016 Telstra Australian Business Awards were: Victorian not-for-profit organisation, Snowdome Foundation (Charity), Queensland high-tech towing company, Tow.com.au (New Business) and ACT business, medical simulation technology provider, iSimulate (Micro Business).
Ellis praised this year’s winners for their sound financial performance and innovative thinking and for demonstrating dynamic attitude, which has the potential to disrupt their industries.
“These business leaders have all demonstrated a unique and compelling combination of heartfelt passion and impressive business acumen,” Ellis said.
“It was a tough job for our judges to measure these successful businesses against a range of indicators, including innovation, corporate social responsibility, financials and potential for growth.”
Now in their 24th year, the Telstra Business Awards showcase and celebrate the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of Australia’s most brilliant small and medium businesses across five Award categories: New Business, Micro Business, Small Business, Medium Business and the new Charity Award which is designed to recognise the significant contribution that not-for-profit organisations make to Australian communities and the economy.
