Our first in-person event since the global pandemic started was an absolute sell out! An opportunity to reconnect, celebrate and enjoy honest conversations with like-minded women after the year that was 2020, was exactly what we all needed.
Eight-five guests joined us for an In Conversation with Samantha Wills at MacKenzie Quarters in Bendigo to celebrate Samantha’s creative memoir Of Gold & Dust.
This event was made possible thanks to our incredible co-host AFS & Associates Chartered Accountants, one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in regional Victoria.
"We took a call from client, friend and business associate Kimberley Furness from OAK Magazine in early February about co-hosting Samantha for her only Victorian book launch to round out her national tour," says Eve from AFS & Associates.
"We saw this as a great opportunity to be involved in bringing a respected international business woman to Bendigo and co-host an event where the business owners of Bendigo, alongside our own team, could listen to her story, appealing to anyone who has the desire to start their own business, currently in business, or wanting to follow their dreams."
Samantha started her self-titled jewellery company on the kitchen table of her share house in Sydney when she was just 21 years old. While her rise to the global stage looked meteoric to many, Samantha has said, ‘It took me 12 years to become an overnight success’.
Following Samantha's journey, from being named a breakout star by The New York Times to barely being able to breathe on a hotel room floor, Of Gold & Dust is so much more than a business memoir. In her unique, confessional tone, Samantha tells the intimate details of her life and business, sharing her truths with a rare rawness and vulnerability.
Funny, down-to-earth, revealing and heartfelt, Of Gold & Dust is a must-read for anyone who has a desire to start their own business, or a passion to live a creative life and follow their dreams. Her story is an inspiring blueprint for getting out there and finding the magic that awaits you.
After a Q&A with OAK Magazine founder + editor Kimberley Furness, Samantha stayed on to sign books adding a personalised message to each.
“Stories were told, books were signed and I walked away filled with the magic of female entrepreneurship and community spirit,” says Samantha.
“Thanks for hosting me beautiful Bendigo, I can’t wait to be back soon.”
Thank you to Sophie O'Keefe Photography for capturing the event.
Thank you to @mackenziequarters (Rhianwen, you are a hospitality/event/venue goddess) @dymocksbendigo, @99luftbendigo, @power_av_bendigo, @hair.folk, @waxgallery_beauty, @tootsandco and all those who contributed to the gift bag including Nic Bake Me I'm Yours, Flow Retreat, Tea Associates Bendigo, Jess Keeli Creative and Rewild Co.
And special love to Laura from @allenandunwin.
