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.
Testimonials
Carolyn is a fantastic speaker with a passionate and interesting business success story to share. All the attendees I spoke to at the event were raving about Carolyn’s presentation as the best they have ever seen. So please pass on my gratitude to Carolyn for her presence at the luncheon today.
- Stonnington Women In Business luncheon
Your talk on the story of Carman’s was truly inspiring and thought provoking, clearly demonstrating what can be achieved with passion and determination. The response amongst our staff was overwhelming positive and the Carman’s bars that you handed out were also gratefully devoured!
- GMK Partners
Thank you very much for your very informative and entertaining presentation – the twenty year journey was fascinating. The reaction of the audience to your presentation was confirmed by the applause and the number of comments I received after you left. Everybody took something away from your presentation that they can use in their own business.
- Bendigo Business Council
