Geelong all-abilities gym and wellbeing centre Dash and Our Kinds, a start-up focused on reducing the usage of single-use takeaway cups, have been named the winners of Ripple Surf Coast’s Impact Pitch Party.
Part of the Geelong Small Business Festival, Ripple’s Impact Pitch Party awarded both start-ups prize packages valued at over $10,000, including one-on-one investment meetings, legal support and business consulting.
Dash founder Marje Rankin said while the prize package would be extremely useful, the intangible benefits including exposure and network opportunities would have a fantastic impact on her business.
“It was overwhelming to have the chance to present our business to such amazing people, there’s no platform like that around; it was like a huge dream,” Mrs Rankin said.
“We’ve been finding it difficult to get our name out there to our demographic. Seniors, people with Down syndrome or mental health issues, they’re the forgotten ones.”
Mrs Rankin, who founded Dash with her husband Trevor, their son Tony and his partner Laura, said the idea for the gym was born when Laura, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, was unable to access her gym after it closed during the pandemic.
“When Laura’s gym was closed down it was hard for her to find somewhere that was comfortable. And Trevor and I were 73 when we opened, and I’d never been in a gym in my life.
“Laura, who’s in a wheelchair, works out twice a week. And the change Trevor and I have got out of it is just incredible.”
Mrs Rankin said it was a wonderful feeling to be able to provide such a service to Geelong residents.
“We’re focused on whole wellness, and the people that come in here know that we’re on the journey with them,” she said.
“Our members all feel that they belong here, it’s a community-based gym, inclusive of everyone.
“It’s hard to express how overwhelmed and overjoyed we are to be able to give this to the Geelong community. It’s an amazing place.”
Matt Hewson
