Next Gen Speaker Spotlight - Susie Slack-Smith

Susie Slack-Smith is an Australian entrepreneur, community and regional business advocate, known for her work in the cosmetics industry, professional services sector, and more recently, the media industry in North West New South Wales.

Glamour Empire

Susie’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 when she founded Glamour Empire, a brand that amongst other things, championed Australian-owned, female-led makeup and beauty brands. What started as a single brush kit evolved into a thriving operation with two retail shopfronts and an online store, featuring more than 55 independent beauty brands. Her experience growing Glamour Empire shaped her expertise in brand development, social media strategy, and operational leadership.

Slack-Smith Partners

Slack-Smith Partners was founded by Susie’s husband, Mark Slack-Smith, in 2019. While not an accountant herself, Susie plays a pivotal role in overseeing brand strategy, client experience, and business operations. As Chief Marketing Officer, she applies the lessons learned from building Glamour Empire to strengthen the firm’s presence, culture, and digital growth in the professional services space.

Today, Slack-Smith Partners offers accounting, bookkeeping, business advisory, self-managed super funds (SMSFs), lending, CFO services, and legal services, with offices in Sydney, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Moree, and an international office in India.

In 2023, the Slack-Smiths purchased the historic 169 Marius Street building in Tamworth, formerly the Tamworth Youth Hostel. Following an extensive renovation, the building now houses Slack-Smith Partners and The Bureau Café which serves as a hub for professionals in the CBD. Susie not only designed the interiors and exteriors, including the café concept, but also played an active role in the renovation, working on-site for eight months to bring the vision to life.

Collective Media

Susie and Mark are also the principals of Collective Media Pty Ltd, a regional media group. In October 2024, they acquired several local newspapers, including the Gunnedah Times, Wee Waa News, and the North West Magazine. They are committed to maintaining these publications as truly local, printed newspapers while also expanding their digital offerings. These papers were purchased from the previous owners as part of a broader vision to preserve and enhance local journalism.

Commitment to Local Print

• The Slack-Smiths pledged to maintain these publications as "truly local, printed newspapers."

• Unlike many media outlets shifting purely to digital, they chose to retain physical circulation—an important move for accessibility and community identity in regional areas.

  
  

Digital Growth

• While preserving print, they also began expanding the digital offerings of each publication, ensuring they could reach a broader audience and remain relevant in the evolving media landscape.

  
  

Regional Focus and Identity

• Their goal is to keep storytelling local, with editorial independence and a focus on issues that matter to the community, from agriculture to local events and business.

  
  

Susie’s role within Collective Media draws on her entrepreneurial background, focusing on business development, operational management, and community engagement.

This move reflects Susie and Mark’s ongoing dedication to regional development.

Hear from Susie at our Next Gen Launch Event on Thursday 8th May, full details and tickets available here.