A delicious mix
by Linda Hein
Kate Paneros always thought she would run her own business someday. Now, the young entrepreneur is doing just that, and gaining national recognition.
Bachelor of Management (Marketing) student Kate Paneros is the founder of up-and-coming marketing communications firm Urban Safari - a small consultancy that counts bar and restaurant hot spots Mesa Lunga, British India and the Vodka Bar as clients.
She found time last month to enter the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards and was an Australian finalist from an international field. She says the application process was a great way to refine her business goals.
"I hadn’t really thought about my direction before because, so far, the business has grown fairly organically. It was a great learning experience to reflect on what I’ve already done and where I want the business to go," she says.
"I had done an elective as part of my degree called Entrepreneurial Enterprises, which helped me with writing a business plan and knowing the legal and financial aspects, but I really had to think about my vision for the business.
"It was also very rewarding to meet other uni students doing similar things. It was great to network, bounce ideas off of each other and talk about the problems, challenges and successes."
Paneros combines her growing business with a marketing role for South Australian favourite, Cocolat, and is also about to head off on a year-long study trip to complete a double degree with a Bachelor of European Business in Normandy, France.
"I have always wanted to go on a year-long exchange, and the timing works really well - with my business, I can do much of the ongoing work while I’m overseas.
"The European business degree also has a tourism and hospitality stream, and because I have an interest in that area and a lot of my customers are in that area, it will be a bonus to gain that knowledge and experience.
The self-confessed foodie is also keen to add cheese-making and wine tasting to her repertoire while away, but she says building her own business will ultimately continue to be a focus.
"In the next five years I’d like to expand, to bring more people on board but to keep working closely with clients," Paneros says.
"I like working with small business owners - they’re usually really passionate. I love hearing their stories and helping them to grow their business."