Helia House is a modern coastal home – a luxury beach house - found in Noosa's seaside village, Peregian Beach. A recently completed architectural renovation to the original bungalow home has transformed this home into a light-filled coastal retreat.
The perfect destination for a short or an extended stay, this house embodies the idea of pared-back luxury travel with a quintessential beach holiday.
In this interview we get to know Genny, the woman behind Helia House. Genny shares with us where it all began, what prompted her to create a boutique accommodation offering and that it really is possible to have it all!
Q1: Hi Genny, welcome to the Woman of Series! Can you tell us what it is you create?
Beautiful holiday experiences - the ultimate coastal immersion for those seeking a considered luxurious vacation while embracing an authentic local experience at the same time.
Q2: Can you share with us a bit about your journey so far and where it all began
The story begins in 2018 with the desire to find a classic beach house to complement our 1960's Kombi (one of our side hustles is importing fully restored split window Kombis from Brazil) and transform it into a vacation home more like staying in a 5-star hotel.
Our home base is in Brisbane, so we cast the net to cover the Northern Beaches of NSW to Noosa. Finding a creative and considered community was also a key in the decision-making process.
We spent over 12 months looking for the right property, and in June 2019, we purchased what would become Helia House. I had previously built with my brother and his family an off-the-grid home at Teewah, so I kept coming back to Noosa. The property we found had undergone a renovation and was a great starting point for what I was hoping to create.
Q3: What prompted you to create a boutique accommodation offering?
I felt the timing was right to invest in beach property, I could see value in the market. I saw a nostalgic link between the Kombi, an endless summer and a beach holiday, which became the essence of creating the home.
I love finding layered opportunities to create a sustainable brand and product that is beautiful and one that people connect to and love as much as I do. In this instance, I wanted to create a paired back luxury holiday home for people seeking more than a hotel stay, one where they could immerse themselves in the community and be more than a tourist, a harking back to simpler times. Those times when people used to go to the same location each year.
In addition it needed to have a unique style and be authentic to the location.
Since we launched Helia House, several other beautiful properties have opened, which is lovely for the area.
Q4: What has been the single most crucial tool or strategy you’ve used to grow your creative business?
I need to give you two! Be clear on your vision and surround yourself with the right people who believe in what you are doing. Without those people you cannot grow and be sustainable. I have an amazing team of people who I rely on to make Helia House what it is. Shout out to my wonderfully supportive husband, my property manager and her team plus the very special women at New Initiative.
Q5: What’s been the most challenging lesson learnt so far in your business?
Other than the challenges everyone has experienced due to COVID, I am pleased with how we are going and the positive feedback we receive. If anything, finding new and innovative ways to remain relevant in the market.
Q6: What’s been the best thing that’s happened to you since you started your business?
Connecting with our local community and discovering the amazing talent we have on the Sunshine Coast.
Q7: Where do you go or what do you do to recharge your creativity?
Get outside, walking beside the ocean or being in a mountain forest, particularly during winter when snowing, allows me to feel re-energised and centred. I have recently finished reading The Overstory by Richard Powers and am a little bit obsessed with trees and forests and the benefits of 'forest bathing'.
Q8: How are you fulfilling your creative passions this year?
Through a rebranding of our main business after nearly 10 years and I am looking for a new house project!
Q9: We’re all about women inspiring women. Who inspires you?
Strong fearless women who are not swayed by opinion.
Q10: What advice would you impart on the next generation of women, and women in business?
It is possible to have it all, work, family, relationships however you need to strive for balance as much as you strive for success in your work life.
We had the absolute pleasure of partnering with Helia House to host our interstate panel guests, Del Rainbow and The Daily Bar, for the Wonder Women Series 007.
