My life has been touched by some uber amazing women whose passion for life and the way they choose to live it have really inspired me. Some are bloggers, some are not, their lives are all different and they are all special. I feel honoured and privileged that they are sharing their stories and sprinkling a little bit of their awesome right here. May you be wom-inspired!
Meet Mel Davies.
I’ve actually never met Mel, but I have met her husband, Craig when we had the pleasure of his company and the joy of his gin at the Tipsy High Tea. After speaking to Craig, and hearing the Loch Distillery story, I knew that Mel had to be in the series, so I stalked her by email (in a friendly way) until she agreed. The thing I love most about Mel’s story is that after much adventuring and a few detours, she’s chosen a path that makes her happy and is literally living her dream. Now that’s what I call inspiring!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was raised in rural Victoria, a small coastal town. My parents were farmers and their parents before them. My father passed away when I was eight, this deeply affected my mother and I assumed an early sense of adult responsibility from that point.
I didn’t really follow a conventional education path and spent my early adulthood as a musician in an indie Melbourne band. I travelled for a while and eventually found my way into visual arts which became my professional road for some time. Craig and I discovered single malt whisky together, this along with inner city pub culture lead me into the craft beer and spirit movement.
After working into more senior roles I found myself developing new business for others. It was rewarding but at the same time I was doing this for someone else? Craig was also working long days for a large corporation, so after many late night, kitchen table conversations we had formed a dream in our minds, a way to be creative and return to a less conventional life. As this took shape we used all of our combined skills, we planned, hunted, designed and learned along the way. From this seed we built our business from the simple pleasure of a single malt!
Tell us 3 things you are and 3 things you’re not.
I think I am – no-nonsense, optimistic, energetic.
I’m not – fashionable, always focussed, unkind.
Complete this sentence, ____________________ changed my life. How and why?
Living in inner city Melbourne in the late 80’s and 90’s changed my life. I’d come from a rural town, a little bit more diverse than some as it was coastal, but not a lot of creative challenge. Melbourne inner city was re-inventing itself and the music and art sub-culture was experimental and pushing all sorts of boundaries, still truly alternative and independent. It REALLY opened up a whole new world for me.
What has been life’s greatest lesson?
Failure will surely happen, don’t feel sorry for yourself for too long!
What is your biggest achievement?
Lots of small ones add up. Traveling, being a parent, building something for ourselves.
What has been your toughest obstacle and how have you overcome it?
Making headway in a male centric industry is certainly up there. Maintaining my argument against strong opposition. I’m not sure I have entirely overcome this, but I have learned to concede on the little things and stand firm on the big things.
Viktor Frankl says “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how.” Everyone needs a purpose, what’s yours?
Not to look back and have too many regrets.
What are your words to live by?
Don’t just be a passenger.
If you could have any mentor, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
Florence Mary Mason, my nan. She was awesome, the driest humour, a feminist way out of step with her generation. Born before her time.
If you could play hookie for a day what would be on your list to do?
Go for a drive, eat lots, listen to lots of music, do lots of nothing much!
You give so much to others, what do you do to take care of yourself?
I get lots back from others, a good sleep seems to fix most things.
Thank you for sharing, Mel.
Let Mel and inspire you a little bit more…
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