After holidaying with her family at Burleigh Heads for as long as she can remember, Bethany took the plunge and moved to the Gold Coast in 2003.

“When I moved, I decided to study a Fashion Production and Design Certificate then gained my first fashion retail position at Supre where I worked for three years managing stores.  One day I was asked to manage a local boutique and from there I’ve never looked back.

You chose Burleigh Heads to open My Little Frock Shop.  Can you tell us why?

“Fashion and boutiques have always been my passion, and when I decided to open my own store, My Little Frock Shop, I chose Burleigh Heads because I’ve always known I would open one here.

“There is no other location like it on the Gold Coast, I just love that it has such a wonderful mix of cafes and boutiques.  Before I opened My Little Frock Shop, I used to come here and spend hours, which made me feel others would do the same.

“I like that there is lots of accommodation at Burleigh Heads so in peak season the area is buzzing with holiday-makers.  The ladies can come shopping while their partners go for a surf.  But it’s also got that warm, local feeling that I love.

“There is a uniqueness that makes it so special here.  There is a variety of shops suitable for everyone, but Burleigh Heads has definitely changed since I first opened.  I think it is becoming a lot more up-market with a good mix of quality fashion stores here now.

You’re planning a fantastic fashion event for June – Fashion on James.  What made you think about holding such an event in James Street, Burleigh Heads?

“Fashion on James is an idea I have played around with for years.  I’ve always thought our one-way street (James Street) would be ideal for a big runway.  I like to do things with a bang and what better way to combine my love of fashion and Burleigh than in this one big event!”

Is there a main focus or theme?

“The theme is Alice in Wonderland inspired.  This came about from our idea of having a grass runway with white chairs for guests to sit on and enjoy the show. The parade will showcase the great fashion retailers we have in James Street, Burleigh Heads with fifteen stores showing their winter 2012 collections on the catwalk.

Sounds great.  What have you got planned?

“Well, we’re really wanting this to be an annual event, so we’ve organised some great entertainment for the day and hope to attract the families along with the fashion savvy females of the Gold Coast and Brisbane.  We’re also hoping to attract new shoppers who have not yet discovered our fashion hub.

“People can come and enjoy the parade and the entertainment, stroll around the shops and dine in the cafes, make a real day of it and experience all the things we love about Burleigh.  After that, no doubt they’ll be hooked, and return time and time again!

“As this is our first year, it is all about getting people on board and making it a great event.  Hopefully after we have got our first Fashion on James under our belt we will be able to grow and make it bigger and better each year with attracting more sponsors and retailers.

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Mark 2 June in your diary for a street fashion extravaganza seen nowhere else on the Coast.  Three hours of runway parades, entertainment and more.  Make sure your winter wardrobe holds the latest styles.  See it all at Fashion on James.

Fashion on James

2 June 2012

James St, Burleigh Heads

Stay at a fabulous Burleigh Heads apartment, resort or hotel and make a weekend of it.

Enjoy the views, cafes, beach and most importantly, the fashion!!

After moving from middle-management positions in hospitality, Manny and his wife Barb have spent the last three years creating a one-stop-shop perfect for locals and holiday-makers alike.

“We’ve lived near Burleigh for about 15 years now.  So when we looked to move into the supermarket industry we concentrated on the southern end of the Gold Coast,” says Manny.

“Our first supermarket was in Miami, but when Burleigh Foodworks came up it was much bigger.  I think Burleigh has such a terrific mix of family, locals and holiday-makers here for a great time, so we try to stock pretty much everything for everyone.”

And you can be sure that’s true.  From a full-range of groceries down to beach hats and sunscreen, Foodworks Burleigh Heads has all bases covered.

“We really are a one-stop-shop,” says Manny.  “The reason why I say this is we have the facility to sell lotto and we’re a fully licensed newsagency so anyone can come in and request any magazine from any country in the world for that matter and we can source it for them.

“Plus we have an amazing range of groceries, including fresh produce and meat we usually source from local producers.

“We’re also a full continental delicatessen with an entire range of gourmet products, but if you’re after a particular ham or chorizo or anything like that we’ll try and get if for you.  It’s our specialty that we stock the best range of products we can in terms of the store and also cater for people looking for something specific.  So, if someone comes along who is after a particular jam that no-one else stocks, particularly none of the big guys, we’ll try and find it through the independent contacts and suppliers we have.”

Got a sweet tooth?

“At times I think, Burleigh Heads Foodworks has more of an extensive confectionary range than some of the bigger supermarkets because we mix it up with American confectionary.  We’ve obviously got the standard Australian lines and numerous kids’ products as well as health confectionary, such as energy bars and a sugar-free range.

But that doesn’t cover the kitchen sink….what else does Foodworks Burleigh Heads sell?

“We’ve also got knickknacks and a whole range of other goods.  Frames for special events, such as christenings; jewellery; key rings, everything for beach goers.  Boogie boards, beach hats, goggles, floating devices, kids shovels, spades, buckets, towels, flippers and thongs.  You name it, we’ve got it!”

Foodworks Burleigh Heads has long been a great supermarket destination for Burleigh Heads locals and tourists

Come and discover why!

“I actually had a vision…no, really, I’d been to Burleigh Heads, of course, but only to the beach and had never really seen the back part of Burleigh (James Street). In my vision I had a shop on the back street of Burleigh which was pretty strange because when we came here I was looking on the beach front.  But somehow that just didn’t feel right and when I walked down here, this place was for sale and it felt like where I was supposed to be,” says Paul.

Having lived in various parts of Australia, Paul and Eve are happily settled on the Gold Coast.

“It’s such a lovely place to live.  We looked all around Australia but here is so relaxed, you’ve got everything you need, the Gold Coast has all the facilities of a big city without being a big city.  You’ve got the airport and a constant flow of people coming through and it’s just nice, the people here are nice.”

Quest Coffee Roasters opened in April 2009 and now has its regulars loving the freshly roasted coffee as well as devotees making the trip down from Brisbane.  Yet, no matter how many times Paul and his baristas are complimented on their wonderful tasting coffee, they still get a buzz.

Paul is a Master Roaster and it seems the secret behind Quest’s coffee success is the coffee beans roasted fresh every day.

“I select beans from all around the world,” he explains.   “We bring them in, try all sorts of types out, what’s suited to what coffee.  Some beans stand out by themselves, others are better in a blend so we try it all out, we do a lot of testing and we make sure all the beans we get are organic beans.

“People come to our shop because we are a roastery so they’re guaranteed fresh coffee roasted on the premises.  We’re also fully organic, with organic coffee, organic milk and organic tea.  Plus all our baking we do ourselves, I just really love baking!  We offer cookies, biscotti and cakes as well as lovely toasted sandwiches.

So, how did Paul become a Master Roaster and end up in the coffee trade?

“A lot of it is self-taught.  I had friends who were in the coffee industry and they looked like they were having a really good time,” he laughs.  “So I sort of stumbled into it basically as I was always around, chatting and having coffee.  We used to have a design business and then I guess just got bored of it.  Eve and I like chatting and coffee and the industry and it all just seemed to go together, it’s very enjoyable.

“We’re really glad we chose Burleigh, it’s changed so much in the last couple of years.  It’s still got a great family vibe but there is a new level of sophistication in the shops, cafes and restaurants.  There’s an emphasis on the natural, gourmet and style.  It’s a wonderful place.”

To find out what all the fuss is about and enjoy a fabulous, freshly roasted and brewed coffee, visit Quest Coffee Roasters at 20 James Street, Burleigh Heads.

Check out all our local businesses and get great tips for a terrific Burleigh Heads holiday at BurleighTourism.com.au.

Located in a heritage listed building on Tallebudgera Creek Road, West Burleigh, a short trip from all Burleigh Heads accommodation, the shop came about by pure accident but has since been built from Georgina’s passion for vintage and flair as a florist.

“The owners of the building are jewelers and will be occupying the shop next door.  They wanted a florist with a particular style and look, so everything just fell into place as they loved our vision,” says Georgina.

“We’ve been open seven weeks now since 14 October and it makes us so happy to see people appreciating our store.  We’ve been really pleased with the response with people following our blog and even driving down from Brisbane just to visit the shop.”

Originally from the UK, Georgina studied her apprenticeship with a top London florist and received first-class mentoring.

“I think she recognised a natural flair as she used to tell me to ignore the restrictive training of my course and do what I wanted.  ‘It’s art and can’t be taught,’ she used to say.

“In the past few years I’ve continued my work with flowers by helping out my sister, Charlotte, who owns the florist shop at the Pines in Elanora.”

During a gap year, Georgina came to Australia and ended up on the northern end of the Coast due to a few family and friends connections, but it didn’t really feel like where she wanted to be.  Eventually she moved to Burleigh and has never looked back.

“Little Love & Happiness‘ is a reflection of Josh and I, we have so many ideas and we bounce off each other to create this cool thing.  All the things, it’s like my house, it’s me,” adds Georgina.

“People have asked us so many times to describe our shop.  I would say unique, eclectic, vintage, quirky but it’s also comfortable.  We have the lounge out the front and lovely coffee that’s really cheap….even free mini cup cakes.  We like to treat.

“Plus we love to use local as well as interstate suppliers.  At a trade fair the suppliers told us how pleased they were that we were on the Coast as there is no-one else they supply to like us.

“The products sell really well in Melbourne and Sydney so we’re hoping they will do really well here, too!

“To be honest, if someone else had started a store like this on the Coast I would have been so excited, but it turns out that it’s ours.  We seem to have got the product mix just right so come and have a browse, enjoy a coffee and use our free wi-fi.  We’d love to see you….”

Don’t miss out on visiting the lovely ‘Little Love & Happiness‘.  

Ask for directions at the friendly reception of your

Burleigh Heads accommodation.

Southern charm and verandah style, Meesh’s will be a venue everyone will love where white wood pergolas, comfortable wicker chairs, lots of overhead fans and lanterns greet the customers.

Originally from Sydney, Michele spent 25 years in the US and the Bahamas before moving to the Gold Coast in 2003.

“Since 2003 I’ve mainly being doing renovations and property development, but I’ve been interested in restaurants most of my adult life.  I built an international school in the Bahamas and did a lot of catering and functions whilst I was there.

“I’ve also been fortunate enough to travel the world many times and have experienced the best and worst that restaurants have to offer.  I’ve collected a little menu in my mind of what I would do.”

It was by accident that Michele came to Burleigh Heads but since then has never felt the need to leave and happily admits to calling Burleigh ‘the centre of the universe.’

“I lived on the other end of the Coast but had renovated an apartment in Gemini Court at Burleigh Heads and then I bought another two to renovate.  We decided to come and spend just December and Christmas at Burleigh Beach but never left.  We just sort of abandoned our other place and my family has now all done the same.  The view is beautiful and the location amazing.

Burleigh Pavillion - where Meesh's will open

“The Burleigh Beach Pavilion was an opportunity that arose.  I just love this location and I thought it was very sad that the previous restaurant had fallen into disrepair.  It’s just a beautiful, iconic building that deserves something special that will welcome everyone.

“We are creating something friendly, comfortable, a dressed up verandah style.  Not modern at all but sort of harkening back to a more relaxed period of time.

“And we’ve called our menu ‘Cuisine of the sun’ because it’s going to be very casual cuisine collected from our travels which have generally radiated around the equator as we followed the sun.  So we’ve got the French Riviera, Italian Riviera, Spain, Mexico, Florida, California, the Bahamas, Caribbean.”

Michele has no intention of competing with Oskars or Pointbreak.  Rather she sees Meesh’s as a restaurant that will compliment the other two and create a building that is a destination for everyone no matter what they want.

“Meeshs, for Michele’s place, I see as a nice personable name.  Entertaining is my forte and I’ve done a lot of fundraisers and catering in my home so I love to think about comfort and how a person feels in the space.  It’s a very important criteria in my mind.  I like people to be comfortable and not really intellectualise why.

“I think Burleigh is growing its own sophistication.  I walk up and down James Street and around the front and I really think its going to just keep getting better as people are attracted to new venues, it just lifts the whole strip.

“Towns and streets cycle.  Things get old and tired and then get rejuvenated, regenerated.  Times move on.  Even the surfers are all coffee connoisseurs now.  Australians are becoming very sophisticated consumers as far as their coffees, food and takeaways go.  Our little kiosk will be a gourmet takeaway with really good quality items that are a little up-market.  We’re not trying to steal other people’s business, we’re offering something a little bit different that costs a little bit more but we think Burleigh is ready for this.”

The last word in southern-style comfort.  Meesh’s is due to open in December and will be a venue where everyone can relax in true elegance and panache.

For more information on why Burleigh is simply the best place on the Gold Coast to visit as well as awesome Burleigh Heads accommodation deals, check out the Burleigh Tourism website.

Micheal took up surfing when he was 13 winning a junior pro title in 1989 after which he turned professional. During the next decade Micheal won several World Surfing Tour events and was ranked 13th in the world on the ASP tour.

But it is Burleigh Heads that has been lucky enough to benefit from his experience and you can discover why by booking a lesson through your Burleigh Heads accommodation. The Godfathers of the Ocean is one of the most respected surf schools in Australia, with an enviable record of countless people standing up and surfing the waves after just one lesson.

“After retiring at the end of 2000, I became head coach for Billabong which was really great,” says Michael. “I love inspiring and helping others to learn or advance their surfing skills. I’m now a Level 4 Master Coach so the surf school is a great way for me to do what I do best – teach and surf!

“Plus Krista and I feel really lucky to have founded such a successful school on the Coast as this is where we both grew up and our family and friends are here.”

So why Burleigh Heads?

“Well, really Burleigh Heads is the central area of the Gold Coast and has one of the best waves in the world. Burleigh has good sand beach breaks, which are fantastic to learn on and progress. Plus, Burleigh is one of my favourite waves so I just love it here! And it’s such a family-friendly area.”

The Godfathers of the Ocean surf school is unique in that the coaches use a ‘hands on’ approach and are in the water at all times, ensuring absolute safety whilst encouraging and cheering participants on. The aim is to get everyone up and feeling the fabulous thrill of riding their first wave.

Lessons include surf safety awareness education, sun safety, surfing skills, fitness coaching and FUN!

“We’ve had people from all walks of life take our surf lessons, international, interstate and locals, old and young. Whatever the reason or occasion, group, private, corporate, birthdays, training or fitness we are proud to report that people tell us our lessons are the ‘best experience’ and ‘absolute fun’.”

Both Michael and Krista have a vision that the Godfathers of the Ocean in the future will become a main Gold Coast attraction and ‘must-do’ experience.

“I’ve been lucky enough to experience the wonderful sensation of riding a wave and want to pass this on to as many people as possible. Surfing is such an awesome adventure which I love to share.”

The Godfathers of the Ocean are based at Burleigh Heads. Contact Krista or Michael for a fun, fabulous and safe surfing adventure or ask for more information at your Burleigh Heads accommodation.

Burleigh Heads-based Aerial Angels Academy

Taking time out from her busy schedule, Sue spoke to Burleigh Tourism about the joys of swinging by your toes from high in the air!

“The Aerial Angels Academy is a unique space that combines aerial skills, circus arts, drama and dance all under the one roof. It’s pretty rare, actually,” says Sue.

“I’m an old aerialist and used to hang out of trees and other crazy places when I was young, so I just wanted a space to offer this to the youth of the Gold Coast and it’s certainly been a huge hit since it opened!

“My family are carni, carnival people, so being an aerial artist was always in my blood. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it’s pretty much all I ever wanted to do. By the time I was 18 I’d been around Australia three times to major cities and outback towns, you name it I’d been there travelling with the circus.

“In 2001, I was contracted by Jupiters Casino as the aerialist in their Egyptian-themed show. That was fantastic! But I started to think, I’m 30 and the idea that had been at the back of my mind for some time began to take shape. So I saved all my aerial dollars and got the company up and running. And I haven’t stopped since!”

A passion for teaching and desire to help performers

The academy has a sister production company which has promoted Australian performers all over the world for just over ten years. Aerial Angels Entertainment ties in perfectly with the academy to help promote their unique talent.

“Well the production company has been running for just over ten years now and promotes entertainers from all over Australia to go around the world, for example acrobats, trapeze artists, dancers, you name it,” enthuses Sue. “Some of our performers have worked with Cirque du Soleil and many other amazing productions.

“The Aerial Angels Academy almost has a double purpose, of course first is my passion to teach, but we also produce aerialists of the future who then work with the production company. So, it’s like we’re building both the only way, by teaching beautiful technique and having amazing teachers. Our teachers are actually the Aerial Angels who perform around the world, as well as in Australia.

 The aerial students

“We get people from all walks of life coming to our academy, a lot of gymnasts tired of the whole discipline thing and injuries,” says Sue. “But anyone can do it, any age from two to 200 you know!

“Aerial is like pilates in the air so it’s very good for you. It’s all core strength and it’s also fun, it’s creative, it’s a challenge, our students never get bored.”

After travelling the world, why choose Burleigh?

“I’m actually from Adelaide but every time I got to the Gold Coast I always loved it. I would travel to so many different places but I always thought of here, I never found any place to replace it.

“And Burleigh? Well I just love it. It’s a great location for the school and it’s just such a beautiful part of the world, I’m just the biggest fan, I adore this place!”

The Spectacular

In August this year, Aerial Angels combined with Burleigh dance academy, Ikin Dance, to produce The Spectacular at the Gold Coast Arts Centre.

“The Spectacular was a big show and our first one, but it’s going to be produced mid-year every year from now on. We had all our elite performers and the Titanette cheerleaders from Ikin Dance, so it was absolutely huge, completely sold-out!

“People couldn’t believe what we could do and it was different to the normal concerts. We had professional choreography, settings and great themes, so the feedback has been amazing.”

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If you or your child are interested in learning circus arts, aerial skills, drama, dance or simply want to get fit, contact Aerial Angels Academy to start a journey on a very different pathway indeed!

Aerial Angels also offers a holiday program.  Ask for directions at your fabulous Burleigh Heads accommodation.

“I was born and raised in southern California near Huntington Beach, which is known as surf city USA,” says Adam.  “I grew up constantly surrounded by the surf, my dad surfed, I surfed and eventually worked as a lifeguard in Hawaii for a year.  As long as I can remember I’ve been by the beach.”

Adam came to Australia with his wife in 2008 and is employed as a pastor at the Christ Church.  He has been an active and enthusiastic member of the Surfrider Foundation for years.

“The Surfrider Foundation is an international organisation which exists for the protection and enjoyment of oceans, ocean ways and beaches and we do this by caring for the environment with a combination of conservation, activism, research, and education.  So, in a sense, if anything fits under the umbrella of basically protecting or enjoying our ocean beaches and waves then it can fit in with Surfrider.

“We have a whole bunch of international campaigns and things that Surfrider is trying to push, such as water testing, beach protection, dune vegetation or the Rise Above Plastics campaign.  All are very important to us,” adds Adam.

“I grew up hearing about the foundation.  I think it started in the 80s, so it’s been around, at least in the States, for ages and has over 50,000 members.  It’s all volunteers but now it’s international.  I’ve been involved since 2006.”

The Rise Above Plastics campaign is a coming together of numerous environmental organizations from around the world including the Surfrider Foundation.  For the Gold Coast, and Burleigh Heads in particular, the local Surfrider Foundation is taking the stand against plastics and the detrimental effect they have on our environment.

The Surfrider Foundation also organises beach cleanups and dune care, among other things, to help care for our local environment.

 Reduce, reuse and recycle…

“For traditional recycling campaigns there’s always been the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ aspect but for Rise Above Plastics we decided to throw in the R word ‘refuse’,” says Adam.

“A lot of people think, I won’t use the plastic bags in the supermarket, which is great as they are probably the biggest use of plastics in our consumer society, but then the person might buy five bottles of ‘spring’ water in plastic bottles, a coffee in a cup with a plastic lid, get cutlery in a restaurant that’s plastic or go into a takeaway and get food in plastic containers.

“So in this sense we’re basically saying let’s create an ideology or philosophy that says – I want to reduce plastics universally in my life and how can I do that? Hence the ‘Refuse’.”

The Rise Above Plastics campaign aims to get the ball rolling in terms of people thinking about how they can reduce plastics in their lives.  Plastics have a negative effect on the ocean by polluting beaches and damaging or killing marine life.  It is this message the Surfrider Foundation wants to strongly promote, as well as the fact that plastics last for years and years.

“Flip open your spring water bottle and you’ll see a symbol which means the bottle was only designed to be used once and thrown away,” says Adam. “It’s things like this we want people to recognise, and then that plastics last pretty much forever.  So, even if you say I use a plastic container, for example, again and again, you will still chuck it away eventually and then it’s going to sit around for a very long time.

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The Surfrider Foundation on the Gold Coast has definitely been busy in its campaign, and you are welcome to join in!

Early September there will be fun Monster sightings around Burleigh Heads and at the Swell Sculpture Festival plus screenings of the Life Changing documentaries.

Oct 4 –  Screening of ‘Bag It: Is life Too Plastic” with surf film “Melali” at Pointbreak Bar and Grill, Burleigh Heads.

Oct 23 – Rise Above Plastics Burleigh Heads Rally (stayed tuned!!!)

November – Burleigh Heads official launch of Rise Above Plastics for businesses.

“Spice is not hot, it is just warming,” says Shammi.  “Chili is hot, so if you look at our menu which incorporates spice it has different tastes to suit every single taste bud.  For example our Polynesian fish is absolutely not hot but has an exquisite flavour.”

Zullaz, within walking distance of all Burleigh Heads accommodation, is well known on the Gold Coast as a colourful, original restaurant serving exotic cuisine in which every individual ingredient can be tasted in dishes cooked to gourmet perfection.

So what makes Zullaz so different and so special?

Originally from Fiji, Shammi has lived in many different countries choosing Australia as her home 29 years ago.

“My mother is a fantastic cook, as is my sister,” she says.  ”I’ve been in hospitality for 20 years teaching a spice course at TAFE and running a corporate company catering for major government departments, but my menu at Zullaz, my style definitely comes from my family background.

“When I got tired of the catering routine, just by chance I found this place eight years ago and it just excited me!  My daughter was studying on the Gold Coast and I used to visit her nearly every weekend and always went for a walk around Burleigh Headland.  My favourite place to relax was sitting under the pandanus trees just across from the surf club.  We spent a lot of time on the beach here at Burleigh.

“My daughter decorated Zullaz.  She sees the world as colourful and our location beautiful, so chose oranges, green and gold, red lights and candles.  It’s really cosy.

“We also have a lot of artists display their art.  Every Friday and Saturday night we have live music and once a month we have a jam night and eat with your fingers night which is really popular.  There’s always something happening here.

And back to the all-important menu.

“The menu was set by me and it’s changed only a little bit over the years,” says Shammi.  “I follow the spice trail of the world with flavours from India, Jamaica, Morroco, Thailand, Polynesia and Fiji all incorporated in my cooking.

“My food style is exotic.  Every dish tastes different, we don’t use the same sauce over and over.  We make all sauces, pickles and chutneys individually in my kitchen.  That’s why you can taste each flavour in every mouthful.

“I’m not being facetious when I say our customer favourites are basically every dish on the menu, however, people seem to love our goat curry, fish curry, Polynesian fish and duck dishes.  Butter chicken is also popular with the younger crowd, but every serving can be made as mild or hot as you like.”

A loyal following from as far away as Brisbane and Byron Bay keeps Shammi busy, although her next project is a cook book and possible on-site cooking classes.   Something the whole Gold Coast has been waiting for.

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Stay at any Burleigh Heads accommodation and you’re an easy walk to Zullaz. Taste Shammi’s amazing exotic cuisine and find out what all the fuss is about!

Zullaz is open Tuesday – Thursday, 6pm – close; Friday – Saturday, 6pm – late.

Zullaz is 99 percent gluten free, only the bread contains gluten.  Anyone with a celiac problem can eat here with no problem whatsoever. Zullaz takes pride in using top quality products.

Yet, tucked away in nooks and crannies, also close to all Burleigh accommodation, are some secret pockets well worth a peek.  In one such pocket, close to the trendiest cafes in Burleigh, is the high fashion, vintage paradise of Hello Friend run by the exceptionally friendly Kimberley.

Dressed to perfection on a cool winter’s day, Kimberley took time out to chat to Burleigh Tourism about what makes her shop so special and unique.

“I’ve always worked in fashion, including managing a lot of Gold Coast stores.  I started when I was fifteen as I just love high fashion, the craftsmanship, the way it can make you look and feel.

“My influence is very much high fashion mixed with vintage.  I love really bright colours and beautiful fabrics such as silk and leather.  So, I opened Hello Friend last Christmas because there were no good vintage shops on the Gold Coast and I wanted to fill the gap.

The clothes at Hello Friend are pre-loved but through word of mouth people come from all over the Coast to find that lovely article of clothing just a little bit different from the rest.

“I get a real mix of clients, ages and personalities, from really young girls to the more mature and everything in between.

“My clients are generally locals, rather than holiday-makers, who drop by once a week to see if I’ve got anything new for them.  I think that’s kind of a Burleigh thing.  I mean, I guess with my stuff I attract the people who want something individual and quite unique.  My fashion eye sort of leads that way.

“A woman could wear a designer pair of jeans and get something from me that makes the outfit look completely different, that’s the sort of clientele I attract.”

Kimberley uses her gift for fashion to keep clients satisfied and coming back for more of her gorgeous clothing.

“I can find things for people of all shapes and sizes.  As I’ve said, a lot of my clients regularly come back and see me because I find things for them when I’m looking for my vintage.  I might not know the person well, but if they’re a regular I think of them.  When they come in, I’ll grab the thing I bought with them in mind and 80% of the time they’ll buy it!

“Maybe it’s because I also do a lot of styling for photos, including hair and make-up.  It’s my passion.  There are more opportunities for this in the bigger cities, but I’m a Gold Coast local and I love the place, particularly Burleigh.  I’m not a huge fan of the glitzy type atmosphere, but I love the Burleigh lifestyle, people and it’s also so beautiful.”

Kimberley has many future things planned, including her own label with specially designed cuts and carefully selected fabrics.  She also wants to increase her menswear range to provide an alternative for the fashion-conscious men who struggle to find their fix on the Coast.

“I also want to get into home ware and furniture.  With the furniture, I plan to do one-off pieces, it might be a beautiful chair that I will re-upholster and paint.  When it sells I’ll bring in another one.”

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Hello Friend is open:

Tues – Fri 10 – 5, Sat 9 – 4 & Sun 9 – 1

Address: Shop 2, 1840 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Ask the friendly reception staff at your Burleigh Heads hotel or resort accommodation for directions.  It’s well worth a visit!