Driving growth in rural, regional and remote communities

From the expansive plains of the Western Downs into the welcoming rural communities of Goondiwindi, Trudi's work has touched many businesses in hopes of bridging the gap between opportunity and accessibility in regions too often overlooked.

Trudi's career has been driven by a desire to empower others and uplift businesses in areas that often struggle to access the skills and support needed to thrive.

"My passion is certainly around making sure that regional, rural, and remote areas are supported," Trudi shared. "Most of our work is west of Toowoomba, and that’s certainly where my heart lies."

Trudi's journey began in corporate roles in Brisbane and Sydney, where she honed her skills in business management. After returning to her country town roots and recognising the needs of local businesses, she stepped into consulting, offering her expertise to help businesses grow and succeed.

"My partner was sick of shopping with me and hearing me point out missed business opportunities," she joked. "So, I started consulting to help businesses directly."

Over the years, Trudi has taken on a variety of roles, including CEO of the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Director for Regional Development for Darling Downs Southwest.

Drawing from her extensive background, including her tenure as National Training Manager at Goldmark Jewellers, she specialised in helping small businesses streamline their operations, boost revenue, and reduce stress.

Currently, Trudi is the Director of Trice Consulting, where she continues to champion regional and rural businesses while also supporting job seekers in reaching their career aspirations.

"Community and collaboration are crucial to my success," Trudi emphasised. "I've always approached everything with a collaborative mindset and a focus on the impact on our community."

Her work often involves engaging with different areas of government, and businesses to facilitate workshops, drive regional development, and provide coaching and mentoring.

"Collaboration must extend across all 3 levels of government, business, industry, and community—but the real challenge is asking, who’s not at the table?"

"We empower others and lift business acumen," she explained.

"It’s about community engagement and helping businesses achieve sustainable growth."

Trudi’s approach to consulting is unique—she prioritises empowering others over retaining control.

"I'd rather teach someone in the client’s team to do what I’m doing so that they don’t need to rely on us long-term," she said. "That's not always the best business strategy, but it aligns with my values."

Mentoring has been a consistent theme throughout Trudi’s career, and she is a strong advocate for Queensland Government's Mentoring for Growth program.

"I love sharing my knowledge and seeing those lightbulb moments when someone gets a new idea and makes it happen," she said.

Trudi's leadership style is rooted in her commitment to representation. "It's never bothered me if I’m the only woman in the room," she stated. "I just hope that by speaking up, I’ve helped other women find their voices and feel confident to contribute."

When asked about the biggest challenge facing female entrepreneurs, Trudi pointed to a lack of access to childcare and mentoring opportunities.

"More childcare support and more mentoring programs would make a big difference," she said.

"It can be lonely starting a business, but having a mentor or coach makes all the difference."

Trudi's message to aspiring female leaders and entrepreneurs is simple: "Have an abundance mindset."

"There's plenty of work out there. We need more people with the skills to do what we do, so don’t be afraid to share your knowledge," she advised.