2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
A catalyst for change, growth, and positivity, I aim to channel the chaos of everyday business life to forge a strategic path towards success. Drawing from a diverse background in marketing roles across Australia and supplemented by an Entrepreneurship degree and diplomas in Marketing and Communications, I bring a wealth of experience and insight to my work and collaborations.
Founded in 2021, Fallon & Co. is the culmination of my passion for helping small and medium-sized businesses turn their vision into reality. At the intersection of marketing and business development, we merge strategic thinking with creative execution, offering bespoke solutions tailored to address our clients’ goals. My vision for Fallon & Co. extends beyond business success; it’s about creating a positive impact in all that we do. Through ongoing partnerships with OpBlue and support for local businesses in South Australia, we’re committed to paying it forward, driving positive change both locally and globally.
As a Director of OpBlue and the coordinator for OpEducation, a not-for-profit, I am deeply involved in initiatives that aid positive change in underprivileged communities across Kenya, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Timor Leste. Our mission is to create a world where basic human rights are provided to all people. Through my work with OpBlue, my goal is to initiate global change, supporting essential education programs through OpEducation in Kenya, one of three core projects for OpBlue. By donating 5% of all Fallon & Co. profits to OpBlue, and ongoing volunteer involvement, we work to break the cycle of poverty and building a brighter future for generations to come.
// Favourite inspirational quote
“Work hard in silence. Let your success be your noise.”
// Let’s get to know you
It was a combination of passion, curiosity, and a desire to challenge the status quo that lit the spark to start my own business. Influenced by my Dad’s success in building his own transport business from the ground up, I learned the value of hard work and determination early on. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating something that has a positive and far-reaching impact, of turning ideas into reality, and having the ability to help people on their own journeys.
I’ve always had a love for learning, travel and pushing myself to my limits, and spent the first few years post school exploring the globe, living interstate, learning and putting my hand to different roles and industries to find my true passion. My journey took a pivotal shift with a twist of fate after moving to Melbourne in 2016. While studying a diploma of Marketing Communications and then a Bachelor of Applied Entrepreneurship, I then embarked on a freelancing venture, navigating multiple jobs, full-time studies, and various overseas adventures. Each challenge presented a lesson, fuelling my passion for marketing and business development.
In February 2021, I took the leap to establish Fallon & Co. From humble beginnings as a sole trader, the business quickly evolved, fuelled by a relentless drive for growth. Hiring my first employee at the end of the inaugural year marked a pivotal milestone, propelling us into a new phase of expansion. Today, Fallon & Co. is proud to be a thriving and rapidly growing company, with a dynamic team of five. My journey has had a few significant achievements, from transitioning to a company structure to going on five international business trips to date, with another trip to Africa as part of the philanthropic work we do coming up in May 2024. Recently celebrating our third business anniversary, we are proud to have had over 70 diverse collaborations that have shaped our path and helped these businesses grow and prosper.
That being said, our success extends beyond mere numbers. We’re committed to nurturing local talent, collaborating with freelancers and small businesses to enhance our offerings. Our journey is a testament to the power of saying yes to every challenge and embracing the diverse experiences that shape us.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
What makes me a woman to watch in 2024 is my combination of passion, purpose, and a deep-seated desire to create genuine change. I believe in the power of business not just to drive profits, but to make a positive impact on both a micro and macro level. Helping businesses thrive isn’t just about boosting their bottom lines or their brand awareness, it’s about empowering individuals, nurturing communities, and creating a ripple effect for long term positive change.
I’m driven by a genuine desire to make a difference. The genuine appreciation from our clients for the work we do serves as a constant reminder of the impact we’re making, fuelling my motivation and keeping me passionate in the pursuit of our mission. Our partnership with OpBlue and my role as Director and Coordinator of OpEducation additionally serves as a powerful source of inspiration and purpose. Seeing firsthand the transformative impact our contribution, both in support and donations, have on communities in need drives me to push boundaries, both personally and professionally.
The fact that I’ve created a business around something that I wholeheartedly love is what drives my passion and is what makes me a woman to watch in 2024. Work isn’t a chore, its what I love, and while some days can be a little tougher than others, as a whole, my passion and focus doesn’t fade because this business is a direct reflection of my values and my personality.
// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
Having worked in larger agencies before starting my own business, I saw a common challenge faced by small businesses and clients, the one-size-fits-all approach. Often, clients were forced to fit into set packages and were provided with solutions that didn’t align or adapt to their stage in their business journey. This observation was the experience that turned my goal into flipping that paradigm on its head. My goal, then and now, is to provide a range of services and support that are tailored to the client’s specific needs at any given time. We aim to act as their support team, offering the benefits of a full marketing and business development team without the ongoing overheads or the requirement to employ in-house staff. This client-centric approach drives everything we do and fuels our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that help our clients thrive.
I have HUGE goals for Fallon & Co. and OpBlue, and you’re guaranteed to hear more from us in the very near future. But in just focusing on the year ahead, my intentions are:
– Growing our team with two more team members to extend our offering and areas of expertise
– Purchasing, renovating and moving into an office space of our own to ensure our team have a positive and fun place to learn and grow.
– Add more clients to our portfolio to ensure we’re helping more businesses in South Australia
– Refine our business offering by sending each of our team members to further study and courses for continual upskilling
– Running two major fundraising events in South Australia to raise funds for our work in Kenya
– Officially launch our education program in Kenya to send up to 20-50 primary school children to school in our first year of operation
– Officially launch our feeding program in Kenya, working in sync with our education program to reach up to 100 children, providing them at least one meal per day to ensure they’re nourished and have full bellies to fuel their growth and brains!
And that is just the beginning…
// What would being a Woman to Watch mean to you?
Being recognised as a Woman to Watch in 2024 would honestly mean the world. It would be an incredible honour, representing not just personal achievement, but also a testament to the values I hold close to my heart, being resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to positive change.
It would signify my personal and professional journey of growth, and a validation of the dedication poured into my team, my clients, my work in Africa, and well, all areas of life! It would be far more than just a nod to what we’re doing as a business, it would be a way that I genuinely hope to inspire others, to share stories of overcoming challenges, embracing opportunities, and striving for excellence.
Ultimately, being a Woman to Watch would mean continuing to lead by example, empowering others to chase their dreams and rewrite the narrative of success.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I would LOVE to see a future for women and girls in South Australia to not only have equal opportunities but also feel supported, empowered, and valued in every aspect of their lives. For me, an ideal future is one where mental health is prioritised, where women feel comfortable seeking support and are met with understanding and compassion.
It’s important to create an environment where seeking support for mental health concerns, including eating disorders, is normalised and encouraged. Through talking about my own struggles, how I overcame them and how I now have found my purpose and passion in what I do as a result, I hope to help inspire other women who are in the middle of their own battles.
In my own business, I strive to create a supportive environment where mental health is prioritised and where team members feel comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking support when needed. Additionally, I am passionate about providing mentorship and opportunities for female staff of all levels, not only to help them grow professionally but also to support their mental well-being and personal development.
Together, through advocacy, education, and community support, we can work towards a future where mental health is destigmatised, and women and girls feel empowered to prioritise their well-being. By lifting each other up and creating a culture of support and understanding, we can build a more resilient and inclusive South Australia for future generations.
Get in touch with Fallon:
LinkedIn: Fallon Roocke
Website: www.fallonandco.com.au
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
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