Flavour Creations founder Bernadette Eriksen is throwing her support behind the Vinnies CEO Sleepout because she's all too familiar with financial insecurity.
The 2017 Telstra Queensland Business Women’s of the Year and Entrepreneur Awards Most Outstanding Entrepreneur winner says running her own company was once the furthest thing from her mind.
“My husband left when I was pregnant with my second child; all my family was in Melbourne; I didn't have any support network; and I had to work out quickly how I was going to keep a roof over our heads,” she said.
“We were all only a few steps away from homelessness, and I never thought I would be in that position.
“I was fortunate I was able to grow a great business and support my family, but I certainly understand the fear of not knowing how to pay the rent next week.”
Eriksen said part of her motivation to raise funds and awareness by sleeping out with other executives on Thursday, 21 June is to try and help other women.
Up to 4000 women in Brisbane are homeless on any given night, and are often escaping emotional or physical abuse.
