In this episode of Launch Spotlight, host Eddie the Chef sits down with Jackie Banson, one of Bairnsdale’s most respected business leaders and a powerhouse in regional hospitality. Jackie’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 20 years old, when she launched the Gateway Café at the local Visitor Information Centre — a humble start that would grow into a 30-year legacy of resilience, creativity, and community spirit.

Listeners are taken through Jackie’s evolution from early café days serving travellers on the Melbourne–Merimbula route, to building enduring local favourites including New Leaf Café, Jackie’s Catering, and the House of Bloom Florist. She shares candid insights into the challenges of being a young woman in business, learning on the go, and the importance of family and mentorship in her success.

Jackie reflects on 25 years at the Heritage Café and Garden Centre, her bold decision to expand into floristry after Dolson’s Garden Centre closed in 2024, and her daring “panic buy” of Bairnsdale’s former Main Hotel in 2025, transforming it into a new multi-business hub. From surviving the pandemic by launching a wildly popular family meal service to catering everything from weddings to bushfire relief operations, Jackie’s story is one of courage and constant reinvention.

The conversation explores:

· How to balance risk-taking with sustainability in business

· Building a loyal, people-first team culture

· Maintaining high-quality, homemade cuisine in a fast-paced industry

· The value of community connection and giving back

· Lessons in adaptability, leadership, and longevity in hospitality

Crowned with a Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award (2024) and guest speaker honours the following year, Jackie’s influence extends well beyond her businesses. She embodies what it means to lead with heart, humility, and hard-earned wisdom.

💡 “You’ve got to love what you do — and you’ve got to trust your people. That’s how I’m still here after 30 years.” – Jackie Banson