Member showcase – Three journeys

In stark contrast, Ash Teune has cultivated a firm boundary between her personal and professional life since the inception of Tove Interiors. She established clear guidelines to prevent burnout, which is all too common for entrepreneurs in the early stages of their ventures. “I have a personal phone and a work phone. I separate the two. I also shut my laptop at the end of the working day and don’t open it again until the morning. As a new business, you’re already underpaid and overworked – burning out just isn’t an option,” Ash explained. Her passion for interior design was sparked at the age of 14, when her mother gave her $150 to redo her room. That early experience evolved into a deep love for design, which now defines her business. 

However, like many entrepreneurs, she faced challenges along the way. Ash spoke candidly about her struggles with marketing and lead generation, which initially hindered her ability to grow the business. “I spent a lot of money on marketing and advertising and I got burned,” she admitted. “Now I’ve found an amazing person who helps me with all of that and I can focus on the work.” With a newfound focus on sustainability—both in her workload and in her client relationships—Ash has learned to navigate the balance between the present and the future of her business. 

Early experience evolved into a deep love for design, which now defines her business 

leadership is about understanding 'why' and the motivations that drive both leaders and their teams. 

Bill McLellan, founder of Why Cubed, brought a different perspective to the showcase, emphasising the importance of aligning personal values with business strategy. Bill’s journey began in South Africa, and he now splits his time between two main areas of focus: environmental sustainability and helping leaders discover their “why.” With a background in mining and minerals, Bill has developed a deep passion for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues. “The first [component of my work] is around the environment. Having worked in mining and minerals I have a real passion for ESG and the world we live in,” Bill shared. 

“The second element is finding people’s ‘why’. I love working with leaders to bring both of these together on their leadership journey.” For Bill, leadership is about more than just managing a business—it’s about understanding the core motivations that drive both leaders and their teams. His approach to leadership development emphasises the importance of putting the right people in the right roles, ensuring that everyone is playing to their strengths. “If you promote your best ‘sparky’ to oversee all the other ‘sparkys’, but management doesn’t suit their skillset, you lose your best ‘sparky’ but also risk losing others,” he explained. 

Purpose, passion, & finding the right balance 

This focus on aligning people with their strengths resonated with Andrea, who echoed Bill’s sentiment about leadership. “Leadership isn’t for everyone. But it can be taught and there are a lot of different ways to lead,” she said, noting that her company gives employees the chance to ‘tap out’ if leadership proves to be overwhelming. This emphasis on flexibility and personal choice speaks to the underlying values that unite these three leaders: the recognition that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to success. 

Despite their different industries and strategies, the journeys of Andrea, Ash, and Bill reflect a common understanding that success is about more than just profits. It’s about purpose, passion, and finding the right balance—whether that means blending work and life, setting strict boundaries, or aligning personal values with business goals. Their stories serve as a reminder that while the paths to success may be varied, the destination is the same: building a business that not only thrives but also aligns with the personal values and passions of its leaders. 

As the Eclat workspace membership community continues to grow and evolve, the stories of members like Andrea, Ash, and Bill highlight the importance of sharing experiences, learning from one another, and finding common ground in the pursuit of both personal and professional fulfillment. Three industries, three different journeys—but one shared understanding of what it means to lead with purpose. These stories, rich with insight and inspiration, embody the spirit of the Eclat community, where the alignment of passion, purpose, and business can lead to extraordinary success.