EP 48 | From Salon Owner to Global Entrepreneur

Nicole Lamers, an award-winning Australian entrepreneur and educator, dedicated 22 years to the hairdressing industry, including 15 as a salon owner. Driven by a deep passion for well-being and sustainability, she worked hard to implement conscious choices within her salon. Despite her efforts, Nicole was shocked to discover that many products, even luxury and seemingly natural ranges, contained harsh chemicals that contradicted her values. She realised that the industry needed genuinely clean and safe hair care options. This realisation lit a fire in her to protect herself, her loved ones, and her clients, leading her to believe there was a solution she could create herself. The desire to offer a superior, clean, and safe alternative spurred Nicole to spend a couple of years on research and development, collaborating with local chemists and manufacturers. Her goal was to create something Australian-made, sustainable, and luxurious. The brand, AER Wellness Co., was born not just as a business, but as an extension of Nicole's core values, filling a gap she had identified for safe, clean products for professional hairdressers and the general public. As the company grew, Nicole sought to elevate her personal profile and the brand's credibility beyond local and industry recognition. She needed to validate her efforts on a bigger stage to support her dream of becoming a business educator, specifically supporting women in business, and expanding AER Wellness Co. globally. Global Recognition and Increased Self-Belief Nicole's journey into the world of international awards proved to be a pivotal and successful move. Having previously entered skills-based and business awards within the hairdressing industry, she decided to “give it a go” with global recognition programs. The most significant achievement was winning the Bronze Stevie Award for Best Female Entrepreneur in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. This win provided immense validation, especially considering she was a solo female business owner from Perth competing against large, established corporations like Microsoft and IBM. Key outcomes achieved through this recognition include: Validation and Confidence: The award served as tangible evidence that her work was excellent, significantly boosting her confidence and resilience for future projects. It helped her silence self-doubt and affirmed that her message and expertise are valid. Community and Support: Attending the awards ceremony in New York allowed Nicole to connect with a community of Australian women entrepreneurs. This network of like-minded individuals provided invaluable support and connection, helping to combat the loneliness often experienced by solo business owners. Brand Amplification: The award provided a platform to promote AER Wellness Co. and Nicole's profile as an educator. A highlight was seeing her brand featured on a billboard in Times Square, a "pinch me moment" that cemented the success of her passion project. Strategic Growth: The international recognition supports her next steps: moving further into business education to support women entrepreneurs and expanding AER Wellness Co. globally, starting with distribution to the US. Result Bronze Stevie Award for Best Female Entrepreneur in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand. Nicole crafted her own entry and submission and attended the Stevie Awards in NYC on the Audacious Agency Tour in 2025. Message from the Client Nicole’s story is a testament to trusting one's instincts and the power of taking a chance. "I remember thinking we would never ingest these ingredients so why are we putting them on our body which is like the most absorbent organ we have". "It wasn't born just as a brand, it was an extension of my values". "I just feel very very grateful to have even experienced going to New York and going to the Stevie Awards and being surrounded by amazing other women in business was a real pinch me moment". "It is that conversation you have with yourself... I guess the award gives you more confidence. It gives you a little bit more resilience to go into the next project". "What I what I'm saying and what I'm sharing is actually valid and I know I've got evidence and I've got backing". "I would definitely tell my younger self to trust my intuition. I've always led with my gut and when I question that is when it doesn't feel right. So I guess trusting in myself, backing myself... If it feels uncomfortable, that's generally where you get the most growth. So I always sort of say, you know, there's no comfort in growth". Contact To learn more about Nicole Lamers and AER Wellness Co., please visit the links below: Website: https://AER Wellness.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-lamers-9100a716a/