How Elite Supplements Mount Gambier became a trusted local health hub

In 2018, I took a leap of faith and opened Elite Supplements Mount Gambier after recognising a clear gap in the local market. At the time, Mount Gambier didn’t have a dedicated supplement store, and I saw an opportunity to create something more than just a place to shop – a space where people could feel supported, educated, and become confident in their health and fitness journey regardless of their starting point. Leaving my full-time job to pursue this was a big decision, but one driven by passion and a clear vision for what our business could become.

Nearly seven years on, the store has grown into a trusted hub within the community. We now have a team of four staff who share the same commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive experience for every customer who walks through our doors. From day one, our focus has been on creating a friendly, no-judgement environment.
The supplement industry has traditionally been quite male-dominated, which can feel intimidating or overwhelming for many people. One of my biggest goals in opening the store was to help shift that perception locally. I wanted to create a space that feels inclusive and approachable for everyone; women, beginners, busy parents, or anyone who may have previously felt out of place in this environment. That means taking the time to listen, educate, and support, rather than simply sell.
As part of our evolution, we relocated and completely transformed our retail space in December ‘23. We moved from a store with a more warehouse-style feel into a luxurious, fresh, and modern shopfront, designed to reflect a premium city experience. You’ll now find us in the Coles complex on Ferrers Street. A fresh space that better represents who we are today and the experience we want every customer to have when they walk through our doors.

While we are part of the Elite Supplements Australia network, our store is independently owned and operated. This allows us to stay closely connected to our local community and tailor our product range to suit our customers’ individual needs. As the only dedicated supplement store in Mount Gambier, we take pride in being a trusted source of knowledge as well as products.

Community involvement has also been a big part of our journey. We’ve proudly sponsored many local footy and netball clubs across the Limestone Coast, supporting grassroots sport and providing game day vouchers to give back to players and teams. We also work closely with many local gyms, setting up taste testing tables so people can try products, ask questions, and feel confident in what they’re using before committing to purchase.

Our approach goes beyond retail. We support our customers across all areas of health and wellbeing, including training performance, recovery, muscle growth, fat loss, and sleep. My own background, with Certificates III and IV in Personal Training and a certification in nutrition, has been instrumental in building that foundation of education and trust.

We’ve also expanded our reach with five vending machines across the region, and a sixth on the way, making our ready to drink cans and sample sachets more accessible for our customers on the go.

Being featured in a Women in Business piece is incredibly meaningful to me. Building this business from the ground up has come with challenges, but it’s also been deeply rewarding. I’m proud to be contributing to change within the industry and to represent women who are backing themselves, breaking down barriers, and creating inclusive spaces within their communities.