About Us

Zest Canberra – small business is in our blood.

At Zest Canberra we use the word ‘we’ a lot. Who are we really? And why should your small business get involved?

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Who We Are

Empowering Women, Elevating Businesses, Building Connections, and Advocating for the Growth of SMEs Industry.

  • Founder

    Raffy Sgroi

    Founder of Zest Canberra | Senior SME Industry Advisor | Business Advocate | Business Strategist | Speaker

    Raffy Sgroi is an award-winning entrepreneur, the founder of Zest Canberra, and a passionate advocate for the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. With over 20 years of experience in business and leadership, Raffy has built and scaled successful businesses, including a multi-million dollar company, Car Mechanical Services (CMS) and Sage Advice, a business coaching company.

    As a Senior SME Industry Advisor, Raffy plays a key role in shaping policies and providing strategic guidance to SMES in the Canberra region. Her expertise spans business development, leadership coaching, and sustainable growth strategies, focusing on empowering women and fostering inclusive workplaces.

    Raffy is deeply committed to advocating for the SME sector, working with local and federal governments to create policies supporting small businesses’ growth, resilience, and sustainability. Through Zest Canberra, she has made a platform that connects, educates, and empowers women in business, offering them opportunities to thrive and grow.

    Driven by her passion for creating vibrant business communities, Raffy works tirelessly to ensure that women and SMES have the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.

    It’s time to make the small business scene great again

  • HerZest Executive Officer

    Davina Brown

    Gym co-owner, fitness instructor, Juice Plus health advocate, and most importantly, networking queen extraordinaire, there is no one better qualified to help you land in the female business networking space. Known for her warm understanding of the hat’s women wear, Davina is your host at HerZest networking events and in the Facebook Group.

    I hope you can join us at an event soon

  • Collaborator / Public Relations

    Melanie Greenhalgh

    Melanie is a dynamic and dedicated professional who brings a wealth of experience to her role as collaborator at Zest Canberra. With a passion for creativity and innovation, Melanie excels in building strong relationships and fostering connections within the industry. Her expertise in public relations shines through in her strategic approach to communication, helping Zest Canberra to effectively engage with their audience and establish a strong presence in the market. Melanie’s commitment to excellence and her innovative ideas make her an invaluable asset to the Zest team, driving success and growth in all areas of their work.

Collaborators

Just like you

At Zest Canberra we are always looking for the right collaborators – fellow small business owners in Canberra who have insights and expertise to offer others.

Some of our regular collaboration partners include:

  • Melanie Greenhalgh Collective Wisdom Coaching
  • Jodi Shepperd HotShots Photography

Sound like something you want to be part of?

Contact Us

Learn. Thrive. Collaborate.

At Zest, we are committed to empowering and uplifting small businesses, with a special focus on women in business and leadership. Our mission is to provide a dynamic platform where entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals can come together to learn, thrive, and collaborate.

 We believe that success is not just about revenue growth or milestones—true success lies in continuous learning, personal growth, and fostering meaningful connections.

Zest  is built on the foundation of creating an inclusive and supportive community where individuals can share knowledge, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.

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Learn

We prioritise education and professional development. Through our workshops, networking events, and expert-led sessions, we help business owners and leaders acquire new skills, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and learn from one another’s experiences.

Thrive

We want every member of our community to thrive, not just survive. Zest offers a platform that encourages women to step into their full potential. Whether you are just starting your business or are already an established leader, we are here to support you in overcoming challenges, celebrating achievements, and creating opportunities for long-term success.

Collaborate

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. At Zest, we believe in the power of collective wisdom and strength. Our network is designed to foster collaboration among women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to share ideas, build partnerships, and support one another.

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