I graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting from Central Queensland University in 2009. Early in my career, I balanced an internship as an accountant at Yates Security during the weekdays while working weekends as a barista at Swagmans Cafe in The Rocks.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
After finding the internship unfulfilling, I took a two-month holiday to Vietnam. When I returned, my former manager at Swagmans offered me a full-time position with a great salary package. I embraced the role of head barista and spent two busy, rewarding years in the cafe.
One day, while cleaning the Ruby Juicer machine, I watched corporate professionals walk by outside and imagined myself in their shoes — wearing skirts and heels instead of a plain black cafe uniform. This moment sparked a new vision for my future.
Jenny with her Westpac colleagues (2013)
In 2012, I transitioned into the finance world with Westpac, starting as a bank teller and quickly being promoted to personal banker. However, conflicting management styles and misaligned values led me to leave after two years.
Drawn back to my passion for coffee and hospitality, I decided to become a cafe owner. In late 2014, my husband and I opened Calypso, combining my love of coffee with the lessons I’d learned along the way.
This is my story.
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