Meet SA Woman Member, Adriana Fernandes.
Business/Organisation: Catalyst Growth Partners
Job Role: Founder and Principal Consultant
Tell us a bit about you:
I’m a Brazilian-born Australian living in Adelaide for over 22 years. With a background in Chemical Engineering, and marketing, and an MBA, I’ve spent over 18 years optimising business operations and have successfully started, grown, and sold a small business.
Outside of my professional life, I’m a proud parent to a high school son actively involved in the basketball team. I love dogs and have fostered many greyhounds as they retire and transition into their new lives as pets. I’m a no-nonsense person who prefers to skip small talk and get straight to the point. I thrive on learning new things and am always eager to share my knowledge and experience with others.
Tell us a bit about your business or organisation/role: At Catalyst Growth Partners, we specialise in helping small business owners streamline their operations, implement systems and SOPs, and manage projects. Our consulting services are tailored for businesses with 1 to 5 employees across various industries.
Our expertise lies in optimising business processes through automation, project management tools, and effective team management. We focus on improving task management and enhancing the overall efficiency of the business. By refining how the business operates, we free up the owners’ time, allowing them to concentrate on strategic growth and ensuring the business runs as they envisioned. We empower business owners to step back from day-to-day tasks, enabling them to focus on big-picture planning and driving their business forward. With a strong foundation in operations management, we provide the insights and strategies needed to implement changes in a way that does not disrupt the normal operation of the business and focus on the metric that will drive improvement in 90 days or less.
What region of South Australia are you in?:
Adelaide East
How can you best contact you:
The best way to contact me is via a DM on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/afernandesmba/
Let’s get to know you a little more:
What has been a lesson you learnt in your career or business that has stayed with you?
One lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career is the importance of adaptability. No matter how well you plan, unexpected challenges will always arise. I’ve learned that being flexible and willing to adjust strategies on the fly is crucial to maintaining momentum and achieving success. This adaptability not only helps in navigating obstacles but also in seizing new opportunities that may not have been apparent initially. Embracing change and staying open to new ideas has been key to my growth and the growth of the businesses I’ve worked with.
What is your favourite place in South Australia to visit?
Kangaroo Island
Why is being part of SA Woman important to you?
Being part of SA Woman is important to me because it provides a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from a diverse group of women who share a common goal of empowering and supporting each other. It allows me to build meaningful relationships, gain new perspectives, and be inspired by the achievements and resilience of other South Australian women in business. This community fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration, which is invaluable for personal and professional growth. It offers a platform where I can share my experiences and expertise to help others, aligning with my belief in the power of mutual support and continuous learning.
What is a quote or mantra you live by?
A quote I live by is, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This mindset has driven me to continuously seek improvement, embrace challenges, and pursue my goals with determination and purpose.