Speakers Profile - Carolyn Creswell










Travels From:
Melbourne

Fee Range: E


Carman's founder Carolyn Creswell is an inspirational leader whose success proves that you can run a multinational business and still love what you do and have a genuine work-life balance.

Carolyn has grown Carman's to become the number one selling gourmet muesli brand on Australian supermarket shelves, while at the same time maintaining a successful relationship with her husband Peter and raising four kids aged ten and under!

Over two decades, Carolyn has focused on producing delicious tasking products using real ingredients. From humble beginnings where at age 18 Carolyn used to park her tiny Daewoo alongside semi-trailers in supermarket loading docks, Carolyn's determination has seen Carman's build a strong following in more than 32 countries around the world.

As a proud mother, Carolyn understands the importance of producing nourishing foods for herself and her family and applies this philosophy to every Carman's product.

Carolyn's own commitment to a healthy work-life balance is also reflected at the Carman's office. Many employees work flexible hours and are encouraged to attend their children's special events and even take time out to pursue their own passions. Every second Friday, staff members who are on top of their workload can leave mid-afternoon.

The team also enjoys eating lunch together around the boardroom table - trying to take out honours of daily quiz master. Carman's warm and encouraging environment provides a truly enjoyable place to work with a very low staff turnover.

Carman's has recently celebrated its 22nd birthday. Carolyn's business acumen has led to a number of accolades including being named the 2012 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year and the winner of 2007 Ernst & Young's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Carolyn sits on the Boards of The Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Foundation, and the Human Rights Legal Centre. She is an Ambassador for the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre and Smiling Mind, an organization supporting the growth of happy and healthy young minds. Carolyn's business success has also seen her move into the public eye, appearing as a judge on Channel 10's TV series, Recipe to Riches.