If being a professional athlete and university student didn't keep her busy enough, Mia O’Leary can now add business owner to her job title.
The Bachelor of Business student is the co-founder of the Shore Thing Beach Tote, a stylish sand-resistant tote bag designed for beach lovers and inspired by the Gold Coast lifestyle.
It’s a part of Bond’s Business Model Execution (BMX) subject, where business students are tasked with developing a real business from scratch, taking into account the skills they have learnt in finance, marketing, strategy and operations and applying it to a real-world business venture where 100 percent of sales go to charity.
The BMX subject has seen more than 50 teams develop businesses since its start in 2016, with over $200,000 raised for charities.
All proceeds from sales of the Shore Thing Beach Tote will go to Food On The Table, a charity providing food to people in need, with every tote sold feeding eight people facing homelessness.
“Our goal is to reach our sales target of $9000,” O’Leary said.
“The cyclone really impacted our ability to sell in person for a few weeks but we are pushing through to the end of the semester to hit our goal.”
Alongside her team which includes the likes of Bull Sharks rugby player Harrison Usher, O’Leary has learnt more than just business fundamentals.
And they are lessons that will hold her in good stead when she eventually hangs up the goggles.
“I’ve learned about product development, e-commerce, and the power of social enterprise,” O’Leary said.
“Swimming is my passion, but having a degree means I’m preparing for a future beyond the pool. A sporting career has an expiry date, but education and business open doors for life.”
Shop the Shore Thing Tote Bag and support the cause here: Shore Thing