The Heart & Sole: Meet Cathy, Shoetique Founder

22 July 20254 min read

Having been a staple of the independent fashion world on the Gold Coast since 2007, we sit down with Cathy Hardy, owner of Shoetique, to discover the key to her enduring success and some of the must-have styles in footwear this season.

What was your vision for Shoetique when you first launched in 2007?

In August of 2007, we first opened our doors in Scarborough Street with a vision for a beautiful, independent European footwear retailer for women. We only had footwear and accessories back then, and once we moved to Australia Fair in 2018, we added more clothing and other products to our range. 

We really centre around premium quality and a personalised service – when we first started out, there were more than 20 independent footwear retailers on the Gold Coast, and now there’s only three of us! We’ve certainly stood the test of time, and our customers know that they will walk away with something they love.

With such an enduring business, how do you adapt to new trends in the market and styles?

I think the biggest change for all within the women’s footwear industry is the wearability of sneakers with everything. Sneakers are hugely popular now, and we can style them with shorts, with dresses or wide leg pants, they are a must-have for our customer base. 

Other popular styles include our beautiful handmade Spanish Espadrilles (a personal favourite of mine!) – I think it all comes down to comfort, and at Shoetique we really focus on aligning comfort and style.

Even with the rise of e-commerce, consumers are keen to return to in-person shopping for a more meaningful and personal experience – how do you like customers to feel when they visit your store?

It’s just truly personal service – you get service and knowledge of what we know and what could be a good alternative to what you think you need. Sometimes, going to a physical retail outlet provides you with the chance to be surprised.

Not everyone realises this, but photographing footwear can be very tricky – it doesn’t always come out looking the way it appears in real life, or conveying the feel. Showcased with our beautiful clothing, handbags and accessories range, getting to experience our shoes in real life makes it a really positive experience. You know you’ll always pick up something fabulous, but more importantly, you’ll be fitted correctly and there’s a higher chance of finding the right shoe.

When customers have experienced the difference, they always want to come back.

What are the ‘must haves’ for you to stock a shoe design?

It’s always about quality for us – we aren’t down the lowest ends of pricing (or fast fashion) but we sit comfortably in the middle range of pricing. Nothing outrageous, but you’re paying for quality and durability (as well as beautiful and unique styles!).

We’ve really curated our range at Shoetique, European shoes and clothing (lots of Italian and Spanish designs), and women come to an independent retailer expecting to find something better. You won’t spot our shoes on everyone, and we cater to customers all across the Gold Coast who know they’ll find something special here.

When you’re stepping out on the town, what will we spot on your feet?

Our Spanish Espadrilles are number one! You never have a problem with comfort, they are super stylish and handmade – they just work for our lifestyle here on the Gold Coast whether dressed up or down.

Any favourite retail moments or memories across your career to date?

I love when interstate or international customers return to visit us – it gives me such a buzz that we’ve made that level of impact. I might even get an email from an overseas customer asking for me to ship something or looking for another style, and that tells me they love the product but the service is something they remember us for.

We’re lucky to have really endured as a successful independent retailer for a long time – we never sit still, and we’re always looking for new ways to excite our customers. 

Being There When It Matters

For new Be There Foundation CEO Jesse de la Croix, tackling domestic and family violence means more than raising awareness. It means showing up, offering practical help and creating a Gold Coast community where no one has to face their hardest days alone. For Jesse de la Croix, stepping into the role of CEO of Be There Foundation feels like a natural progression of work that has long been centred around empowering women, creating connection and telling stories that matter. With a background in the arts, Jesse has spent around 15 years leading teams and businesses, with much of her work focused on the power of words, art and storytelling. “My work has always centred around empowering women through words, connection, art and storytelling, which I aim to bring to this role also,” she says. In recent years, her own lived experience led her to Be There Group founders Shaan Ross Smith and Kirsty Tschirpig, who went on to establish Be There Foundation. “We instantly connected,” Jesse says. “The pull to pour my heart into this line of work felt truly aligned, so when the opportunity was presented I jumped right in. “It is an honour to be a part of the incredible team and to be able to help build the heartbeat of the foundation.” Jesse had already been working with Be There Group, which delivers bystander training across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, teaching everyday people how they can safely respond when they witness harmful behaviour. But through that prevention work, another need became increasingly clear. “Be There Foundation was born out of seeing the need that there was more that we could do,” Jesse says. “This work is all about supporting those who unfortunately have been affected by domestic and family violence who may have fallen through the cracks when it comes to support in the community.” The foundation provides practical, individualised assistance to victim-survivors, working alongside existing support services to help fill gaps that can leave people without the help they need. At the same time, Jesse wants the organisation to help bring conversations about domestic and family violence out into the open. “With curiosity and kindness at the heart of every conversation, we believe that in better understanding the drivers of the behaviour that results in domestic and family violence, we can better support each other,” she says. For Jesse, that community approach is particularly important on the Gold Coast. Behind the statistics, she says, are thousands of people living with fear and abuse in their own homes, including many whose experiences may never be reported to police. “Bringing this issue into the community and empowering us all to safely help a colleague, a neighbour, a teammate, a friend when something seems off, rather than burying our heads in the sand, can create positive impact,” she says. The pressures facing victim-survivors are also becoming increasingly complex, with the cost-of-living and housing crises making it even harder for some women to leave unsafe situations. “We have supported a number of women who have been forced to live in their cars and on the streets as a result of their circumstance, and to say it is devastating is a true understatement.” Although Jesse is relatively new to the CEO role, Be There Foundation is already providing significant hands-on support. Recently, volunteers gathered at its Yatala warehouse to pack more than 800 care packs for women in need. The organisation has also supported families in crisis, accompanied victim-survivors to court, furnished homes and provided emergency financial assistance. Jesse describes what comes next as building “the heartbeat and a collective, a community”. “My vision is more of this,” she says. “It is niche relief, custom support and standing by victim-survivors on their hardest days, reminding them of who they are, that they are supported and they are not alone.” She has already witnessed what that support can mean. “I’ve had a front row seat of witnessing this foundation help a victim-survivor not only survive but thrive in life after decades of experiencing domestic and family violence,” Jesse says. “To know that this foundation has the power to do that and help create generational change is so very important to me.” For Gold Coasters wanting to contribute, Jesse says support doesn’t have to involve a grand gesture. Locals can join the Be There Collective and volunteer at packing days, fundraising events or wherever practical help is needed. The foundation will also hold its first Around the World Rolling Lunch fundraiser at Sanctuary Cove on October 10. For Jesse, who has called the Gold Coast home for 20 years and raised her children here, building that local community of support is particularly meaningful. “Despite seeing its overwhelming growth over the years, for me it’s never lost its sense of warmth and community,” she says. “I take great honour in being a part of a community that ensures it leads the way when it comes to caring for one another.” And that, ultimately, is the message Jesse hopes people take from Be There Foundation: domestic and family violence may be an enormous social problem, but that doesn’t mean individuals are powerless to help. “You don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find that all of us know someone who is facing this epidemic in some way,” she says. “It’s time we got curious about the harmful behaviours that have insidiously been normalised that drive this violence, for the sake of our community and future generations. “If you are curious how you can be part of the change, then Be There Foundation aims to be a safe space for us all to be part of that much-needed conversation.” GET INVOLVED Find out more about Be There Foundation at betherefoundation.com.au, follow @bethere.foundation on Instagram or listen to the foundation’s new podcast, @her.epodcast.

Our Community

More Than a Meal: The Heart Behind Havafeed

There’s something about a home-cooked meal that really says, well, home. For the team at Havafeed Gold Coast, that feeling is exactly what they set out to create — a warm plate, a familiar face, and a sense of belonging for anyone who needs it. It’s a universal way to make someone feel welcome and cared for after a long day at work or a stressful afternoon juggling schedules. The comfort that comes from sitting down to a plate of your favourite family dish is hard to replicate, no matter how tempting the local takeaway might be. But for those without a home, or without someone to share a meal with, it’s a comfort that is often out of reach. Meet the Founders Behind Havafeed Gold Coast After recognising the need to support people doing it tough during a conversation with friends who had recently lost their jobs, Gold Coast locals Lindsay and Robyn Burch saw an opportunity to make a difference. With a newly discovered family inheritance, the couple decided to buy a van and start collecting loaves of bread from local bakeries in an attempt to bring a little kindness to a community grappling with rising living costs and increasing social isolation. Since then, the parents of three have dedicated their retirement years to founding Havafeed, a not-for-profit charity that provides fresh food and support to the community. [SUGGESTED LINK: Havafeed official website – havafeed.org] As former pastors, the pair’s compassion for others comes as no surprise. What started as a small group of volunteers quickly grew into a place where disadvantaged families, pensioners, people experiencing homelessness and victim-survivors of domestic violence could come for a hot meal and a conversation. More Than a Meal: What Havafeed Offers Most mornings at 4.30am, Robyn and Lindsay are packing the van with supplies and preparing to meet fellow volunteers at the Mermaid Beach Community Centre. Once they arrive, it’s all hands on deck to set up tables and chairs, prepare breakfast and get ready to open the doors at 6am. Going through an average of 10 kilograms of bacon each week, the service provides everything from a freshly made breakfast sandwich to a friendly face and a sense of belonging for Gold Coasters doing it tough. But it’s not just food on offer. Alongside a free Sunday church service, two representatives from Queensland Health’s Homeless Outreach Team are available twice a week to provide support. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Orange Sky laundry team also visits with its free mobile washing and drying facilities. [SUGGESTED LINK: Orange Sky Australia – information about their free laundry and showering services] Co-founder Robyn says demand for services like Havafeed continues to grow. While the organisation is busier than ever, she says the people they meet and the visible impact of the service make it all worthwhile. Stories That Make It All Worthwhile Serving thousands of visitors and more than 300 meals each week, Robyn has plenty of memorable stories. One in particular stands out. “I suggested to him that he go home, and he said, ‘I can’t go back there. Nobody would want me,'” Robyn recalls. Lindsay created a Facebook account for the man and, within an hour, five people were looking for him. One offered him a job, while another offered him a car. “They were all there to do what they could to help him,” she says. “Since then, he’s got a better job that he really likes.” He was also able to travel to Melbourne and spend time with his daughter at the Royal Children’s Hospital a week before she passed away. “There’s plenty of stories,” Robyn says. “Just that one sticks in my head.” This September will mark 33 years since the couple began their mission of providing “guidance and hope” to locals. Along the way, they were recognised with the 2024 Senior Australian of the Year award. [SUGGESTED LINK: Senior Australian of the Year award – Australian of the Year Awards website] Gold Coast veteran Michael says the friendship and support he found at Havafeed have been invaluable. “Their positivity and encouragement have lifted me up during some of my darkest moments,” he says. “Thanks to their help, I am now on a path to recovery and am starting to feel like myself again.” Volunteer Anna McHaven, who has been involved with Havafeed for five years, says it is the environment that makes the organisation so special. “Robyn and Lindsay have created a warm and caring place of safety where all are valued and respected,” she says. Of course, the work is not without its challenges. Keeping up with supplies and meeting demand remains an ongoing concern. “We rely on donations and some weeks you’ve got plenty of stuff, some weeks you’ve got half, and then the next week you haven’t got any at all. It’s just like that continuously,” Robyn says. How You Can Support Havafeed Gold Coast It costs approximately $2,000 a week to keep Havafeed running. Along with its generous partners, the organisation relies on community support to continue its work. During opening hours, non-perishable food items and groceries are always welcome at the Mermaid Beach Community Centre, while larger donations can be arranged for collection. Whether it’s setting aside an item from your weekly shop or lending a hand at breakfast, every contribution makes a difference. Havafeed welcomes volunteers and donations year-round. Whether you can spare time, food or funds, your support helps ensure no one in our community goes without. For more information, visit havafeed.org.

Our Community

Crafting Spirits with Heart: The Story Behind Imbibis Distillery

Behind every great craft spirit is a story of passion, persistence and a little bit of courage. For Jason and Maree Hannay, the founders of Imbibis Craft Distillery, that story began with a dream to create something uniquely Australian – and deeply personal. Today, their boutique distillery has earned international recognition for its artisan gins and brandy, but the journey to get there has been just as rich as the spirits themselves. Jason, your background is in winemaking. How did the journey into distilling begin? Jason: I spent more than 20 years working in the Queensland wine industry, so fermentation and flavour were already part of my life. But I’d always had a fascination with distillation – the science and artistry of transforming raw ingredients into something complex and expressive. Eventually, that curiosity turned into a dream to craft my own spirits using local ingredients. That dream became Imbibis. What was it like launching a distillery from scratch? Jason: Equal parts exciting and terrifying! We officially launched in late 2019, and within months we were navigating a global pandemic. But the response from the local community was incredible. People really embraced the idea of an Ipswich-based distillery producing premium spirits, and that support kept us going in those early days. Maree, you’ve had a very different career path. How did you become involved? Maree: My background is actually in the corporate and legal worlds. I worked with organisations like Woolworths, BHP and MinterEllison before joining Imbibis full time. But creativity has always been important to me – I’m also a watercolour artist – so stepping into the distillery gave me a chance to bring that creative energy into the brand. These days I wear many hats: marketing, events, customer engagement… and occasionally bottle labelling and glass washing! Your spirits have already won international awards. What makes them special? Jason: We focus on small-batch production and high-quality local ingredients. Many of our botanicals are native Australian flavours like lemon myrtle, native pepperberry and bottlebrush. The idea is to create spirits that reflect where we live and the ingredients available around us. What does it mean to see your work recognised on the global stage? Maree: It’s incredibly rewarding. When we started, we simply wanted to make beautiful spirits that people would enjoy sharing with friends. To now see our gins and brandies winning medals internationally is both humbling and exciting. And finally – what’s next for Imbibis? Jason: We’re always experimenting. Distillation is a constant journey of discovery. Whether it’s a new botanical blend, a small-batch brandy or something entirely unexpected, we’re always looking for ways to keep the creative process alive. Stay tuned for launch of Ipswich’s very first whiskey. Coming soon. For Jason and Maree, Imbibis isn’t just a distillery – it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, local ingredients and the simple joy of sharing a drink with good company. imbibis.com.au

Our Community

Growing strong girls, empowering futures

By Megan Stray More than a decade ago, while working as a kinesiologist in a small clinic beneath my home, I began noticing a pattern that was impossible to ignore. Young people were arriving not with the usual childhood complaints, but with something far heavier. Seven-year-olds struggling with debilitating anxiety and missing large amounts of school. Ten-year-olds already prescribed antidepressants. Bright, sensitive young girls battling eating disorders far earlier than anyone expected. Behind every child was a family searching for answers, hoping to find the missing piece that would help their daughter feel safe, confident and whole again. Watching these stories unfold, it became clear that something needed to change. From that realisation, Heal.ed Tribe was born. What began as a deeply personal response has grown into a local not-for-profit organisation supporting young girls across the Gold Coast. The first initiative was a small three-day retreat for five girls experiencing eating disorders and their mothers, alongside two teenage girls living in homeless shelters. There was no rigid clinical agenda. The intention was simple: to create a space where young people felt seen, supported and genuinely cared for. Today, almost eleven years later, Heal.ed Tribe continues to focus on education, prevention and early intervention, helping young girls build resilience and strengthen their mental wellbeing. Every program and conversation is grounded in a core belief that no young person should feel alone in their mental health journey. The challenges facing young people continue to grow. Experts predict that by 2030, mental health concerns could become Australia’s greatest disease burden, surpassing cancer and heart disease. Yet beyond the statistics are the real stories and quiet breakthroughs that remind us why community support matters. Because these girls are the women of our future. Watching a young person rediscover hope, confidence and a sense of belonging is powerful, not only for them, but for the families and communities surrounding them. To learn more or support the work of Heal.ed Tribe, visit healedtribe.org.au