2024 was a big one for us, and while we haven’t shared every milestone just yet, this one absolutely deserves the spotlight. We’re proud to announce that Storyfolk was awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility award at the 2024 Geelong Business Excellence Awards, and named Runner-Up for Business of the Year. It all culminated in an evening of celebration, one that highlighted the very best across Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast. With more than 30,000 businesses in the region, being named runner-up for Business of the Year and winning CSR… is kind of a big deal.  

This recognition isn’t just about a trophy (although we have to say, this particular trophy was a work of art in its own right crafted by local First Nations business, Wathaurong Glass). It’s about what we’ve always believed: that leading with values isn’t idealistic; it’s strategic. Our ethos of “doing good work for good people” isn’t a tagline. It’s a scalable approach to creating meaningful, measurable impact and clearly… a smart business move.

We were honoured to be recognised alongside some of the region’s most established and respected businesses, including Avalon Airport Australia (a major regional airport with national and international reach), Scotchmans Hill (one of Victoria’s leading wineries with six nationally distributed labels) and The Q Train (a unique heritage dining experience, recognised with multiple state and national tourism awards.) to name a few.

To be recognised among these incredible businesses across sectors proves a simple truth: you don’t have to be the biggest to make the biggest impact. Purpose scales. And when purpose is shared, it drives real change.

The award process:

This wasn’t just a nomination. It was an in-depth process… one of the more comphesnive award processes we’ve been included in, this included: 

• A detailed written submission across six categories: Business Achievements, Marketing, Customer Service, CSR, People & Culture, and Finance with hard-hitting data, evidence and tangibles.
• A 90-minute on-site panel tour of your office, presentation and Q&A.
• For Business of the Year: A 60-minute pitch to 15 judges.

For us, what mattered post?  The People.

Awards are always a nice honour, but more importantly, they give our clients a meaningful benchmark. In a crowded market filled with amazing businesses, recognition like this helps validate the quality of our work and the values we stand by. However, what has really stayed with us are the conversations, connections and stories we’ve heard since. Since last year’s win, we’ve received many messages from many women across the region, some fellow business owners, some just starting out who said how much it meant to see a female-led business on that very stage. Representation really does matter, especially in regional areas, where leadership still skews (very) male. It creates ripples. It builds momentum. And sometimes, it quietly reshapes what’s possible. 

One message that has really stayed with us:

“I read about your business in the local paper and cut out the article. It’s been on my fridge ever since. I’ve followed your journey, and now working at Storyfolk is part of my career plan.”

That’s why visibility matters. When people see leadership that reflects their future selves, it opens doors, not just for us, but for others too.

Why moving to regional has really changed our business model.

Since relocating our HQ to Torquay, our growth has extended well beyond the financials (though those have strengthened too). The sea breeze has a funny way of clearing your mind, sharpening your focus and calming your cortisol. We’ve designed with more purpose. Collaborated with more clarity. And created a culture where work/life balance isn’t aspirational, it’s the baseline. Ocean dips before, during or after work? Absolutely. Ice baths or sauna sessions? Often. Team lunches at Pholklore, Fishos, Mortadeli, The Kyn, Bomboras or Bob Sugar? Say no more. (Also, yes, we just accidentally created a Torquay eatery hit list. Save for later if you’re in the aera) But perhaps the most important shift has been embedding ourselves into our local business community since being part of the GBEA. While we work with clients across six continents, we haven’t previously been active in our own backyard. The GBEAs gave us a chance to change that; to connect, contribute and grow our presence right here in Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast.

And now? We’re proud to be officially recognised for Corporate Social Responsibility and named runner-up for Business of the Year. But more than the accolades, we walked away with new connections, meaningful conversations, and a deeper appreciation for the remarkable businesses driving this region forward. Thank you to the judges, the GBEA team (a special thanks to Cathy for all her hard work behind the scenes), and the local business community for warmly embracing us.

At Storyfolk, we believe strategic design can be a force for good, and that business can be both purposeful and profitable. We’re proud to help values-led organisations tell better stories, sharpen their brands, and scale their impact.

If you’re looking to do work that matters across strategy, brand or digital, we’d love to talk.