As part of our Small Business Month celebrations in Rockhampton, we were delighted to welcome Celeste Cleary, founder of Flourishing Wellness, to share her story and insights on sustainable leadership.

With 30 years in nursing and a growing frustration with the reactive nature of healthcare, Celeste made a bold pivot—stepping into wellness coaching to help individuals and businesses build cultures where wellbeing isn’t an afterthought, but a strategic priority.

In her heartfelt and unscripted presentation, Celeste walked us through her journey—from clinical burnout to a renewed sense of purpose. She spoke candidly about the reality of stress, how it manifests in business, and the transformative power of small, intentional changes. Whether it’s turning off notifications or saying no to one extra task, creating space to reconnect with what matters can be life-changing.

Her message to fellow small business owners? Stop powering through. Invest in your wellbeing as a leader, because how you show up shapes your team and your culture—for better or for worse.

Celeste now delivers tailored workshops and talks across the region. Her work is helping organisations reduce stress-related risks, improve communication, and build resilient teams that thrive, not just survive.

If you’re tired of being tired, Celeste’s approach might just be the breath of fresh air your business needs.