Office Manager/Co-Owner at Lightning Comms Pty Ltd.
The great challenge of Sarah Watson’s life has been building her business from the ground up – but it has also been one of its greatest rewards.
The co-owner of Lightning Comms Whitsundays endeavoured on a varied career path before settling down and starting her own business in the region. She took what was at the time a road less travelled for women, completing her Automotive Engineering certifications in her homeland of New Zealand.
“When I left school, I successfully finished my studies and work experience intending on a career as a mechanic,” Sarah said.
“It was difficult to obtain an apprenticeship in what was a male-dominated industry -- that was a real character-building experience. It was then I decided to move away from it.”
She met her husband in Australia, and Sarah soon went into hospitality, spending two years in the industry in the United Kingdom running a successful cafe in London. When the pair moved back to Australia, it was to the Gold Coast, where Sarah managed holiday resorts before moving to the Whitsundays.
“Once here, I worked for a local five-star Resort on the front reservations desk full time,” Sarah said.
“That all became part-time once we started our family, and then the business which I’ve been working in for the last few years. We specialize in Information and Communications Technology and Security - it is our expertise and is such a great, evolving industry.”
Sarah’s role is “all things behind the scenes,” including invoicing, marketing, quoting, scheduling, parts ordering, and more.
Alongside starting the business, Sarah said starting her family is one of the best things that ever happened to her, with the couple now raising their three kids: Ruby, Xavier, and Willow.
Describe your personality in three words
Focused, loyal, compassionate
