Meet Elke, the founder of Social & Staple—a marketing agency built on heart, hustle, and a whole lot of flexibility. After five years in the corporate world, she saw a gap in the market for personalized marketing support for small and medium businesses.

Now, with two little ones in tow, Elke juggles kindy drop-offs, client meetings, and redefining work-life balance, one croissant at a time.

Tell us about how Social & Staple got started.

I was inspired to start SS when I realised there was a gap in the market for marketing support for small/medium businesses.

After 5 years working in big corp, I was ready to get more personal with brands, I loved getting my hands dirty, supporting small businesses and being a part of the growth. It was and still is my passion to know something I am doing is making a difference to someone or something.

At the time of launch, my brand tagline was 'Helping small brands make big moves.' It's now changed to 'The Last Agency You'll Ever Work With'.

What’s the best part about running your own business?

The best part is the flexibility it provides for me as a mum.

It goes without saying that parenthood is often unpredictable - you've got lots of sickness, doctors appointments, kindy drop offs - there is no way I could manage a 9-5 again with children. So I love that I have the option to work here and there and around whatever I need.

I am also a big believer that as a creative, you can not be bound to the 9-5 as ideas happen often in the most simplest of moments, so I like to provide flexible working opportunities for myself, and my team, to allow for space both mentally and literally to do things you enjoy or love and work goes around it.

The other part I love is getting to do what I love everyday. Work is like 70% of your life right? So you have to love it.

Describe your ideal day out with your plus ones.

My ideal day with my family, is heading to our favourite family coffee shop, Quade & Co, and sharing a banana bread and croissant. Followed by a walk along Miami esplanade, while Pacey scoots along, and Banks chills in the pram, and Mum and Dad get to have a conversation.

Then It would be a day at the beach, and an afternoon playing in the yard, drinking a red wine on the deck, and having dinner together as we watch the sun go down. We also love a good dance party before bed, so wouldn't be complete without a jump around to our favourite country songs.

Any holidays on your family bucket list?

We would love to go to Fiji as a family. Lots of time in the water and outside. But I would love to take the fam to somewhere in Italy or South of France. That would be the dream, however I am not sure we would survive the flight with 2 busy boys!

What’s your go-to place/thing to do when you have a kid-free moment?

I love to go to the gym when I have a spare moment.

In summer, it’s sneaking down for a quick dip at the beach. Nothing like the feeling of the salt water on your skin or a good workout and endorphin rush to regulate your emotions for a minute.