Melanie Hearse
Melanie Hearse is a West Australian-based freelance writer, specialising in real estate, personal finance, health, lifestyle and small business writing. Her work has appeared on four continents, and she regularly contributes to news and lifestyle outlets, magazines and speciality websites. When she’s not tapping on her keyboard, she can be found reading a book or talking the ear off a stranger, usually with one of her dogs in tow.
Latest from Melanie Hearse
Taking on a board director role requires a shift in thinking that’s different from being a business owner or senior executive. Life experience counts for a lot on boards, but even the most successful and confident directors can bump into challenges as they go. That was certainly the case for executive coach Stephanie Abbott. When…
Have you ever made a decision for your business that you’d handle differently if you had your time again? We’re not talking putting pods versus an old-school coffee maker in the break room. We’re talking about the big calls that shape the future of your business. The ones around hiring. Expansion. Investment. The choices where…
A website that looks great and works hard behind the scenes is a must-have for most small businesses, but building one can feel like a stretch when design isn’t your day job. The good news is today’s drag-and-drop website builders put polished, high-quality results well within reach. Even better, many now come pre-packed with clever…
Running a business means wearing a lot of hats, so it helps to know what’s coming. This month-by-month small business guide puts the key events, breaks and deadlines in one place so you can plan, pivot and stay ahead. Keep it close as your not-so-secret weapon for a smoother, smarter 2026. January: Set a solid…
Is your internet connection keeping up with how you work today? Many Aussie small and medium businesses today rely on multiple cloud apps, connected devices and online tools to run daily operations. Cloud software now handles everything from accounting to customer records. We’re using more data and downloading larger files regularly. Video meetings have replaced…
Sitting among towers of files wishing you had more desk space? Is your meeting room feeling uninspiring? Maybe the reception area could use a little pep in its step? You can make huge differences to your workspace without having to break the bank. IKEA for Business Interior Design Specialist Rachel McGrotty shares three of her…
From loud spaces lacking adequate sound buffers to dimmed lighting that makes it hard to read menus, hospitality venues can be let down by interior design decisions. On the flipside, clever interior design can provide that all-important customer comfort factor and really sell the type of experience your venue is looking to deliver. Whether you’re…
Whether you run a shop with plenty of products to display, an artisan corner café or an office where clean lines create an open environment for productivity, you’ll need to know how to master the magic of minimalism. At its core, minimalist interior design focuses on simplicity, clean lines and creating a clutter-free environment. It’s…
Hospitality is gearing up for the busy end-of-year period – and now is the time to give your space a spring clean. We spoke to IKEA for Business Interior Design Specialist Rachel McGrotty to find out her top tips for furniture picks, decorative flourishes and easy storage fixes to make your restaurant, café or bar…
Founder of Messin with Jim, Kayne Allan, is living proof that necessity can be the mother of invention – or at the very least, drive a Melbourne local to start up his own coffee truck. “I’d lost work due to COVID and was looking for a way to maintain some kind of contact with the…
