Build Beautiful | Creative Entrepreneurship
BUILD BEAUTIFUL
Where design meets depth
Build Beautiful explores the people, ideas and decisions shaping creative lives and businesses. Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, the podcast brings together creative thinkers, founders and entrepreneurs for thoughtful conversations about their journeys, ambitions and the experiences that have shaped who they are today.
From creative ambition and building a business to navigating change, taking risks and redefining success, Build Beautiful offers an honest perspective on what it takes to turn creative passion into meaningful work.
Through intimate interviews and solo reflections, the podcast explores the intersection of the creative and the commercial, and what it means to build a business and a life on your own terms.
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Build Beautiful | Creative Entrepreneurship
"I Had a Good 30 Years Ahead of Me" — Nicole O'Neil on Starting Again at 45
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What does it take to start a business at 45, when the world already thinks it knows who you are?
Nicole O'Neil has lived several lives in the public eye. Born in Dubai to a Lebanese father and Swedish mother, she moved to Sydney in the 1980s, became Miss Australia and later appeared on The Real Housewives of Sydney.
But at 45, Nicole decided to build something of her own.
As the founder of Bon Wellness, the business behind BonPatch wearable wellness patches, she has stepped into a new chapter as an entrepreneur, building a brand with ambitions beyond Australia.
In this episode of Build Beautiful, Linda Habak sits down with Nicole to explore identity, reinvention, motherhood, visibility and the courage it takes to begin again.
From navigating cultural expectations and public perceptions to launching a wellness business and expanding into the United States, Nicole reflects on the experiences that shaped her and why she believes timing matters.
In this conversation, we explore:
- Growing up between Lebanese and Swedish cultures and the traditions Nicole has carried into motherhood
- Becoming Miss Australia and representing a multicultural Australia
- Her experience on The Real Housewives of Sydney and the difference between public perception and personal reality
- Starting Bon Wellness at 45 and embracing entrepreneurship later in life
- Building BonPatch and taking an Australian wellness brand into the US market
- The differences between Australian and American attitudes towards ambition and business
- Tall poppy syndrome and learning to advocate for yourself
- The relationship between identity, visibility, motherhood and legacy
- Why starting again can be an opportunity rather than a setback
Why this conversation matters
There is often an expectation that by a certain age, we should have figured out who we are and what we're going to do.
Nicole's story challenges that idea.
It's a conversation about recognising that we can evolve, change direction and build something meaningful at any stage of life. Sometimes the most interesting chapter begins when we give ourselves permission to start again.
About Nicole O'Neil
Nicole O'Neil is the founder of Bon Wellness, the company behind BonPatch wearable wellness patches.
A former Miss Australia and cast member of The Real Housewives of Sydney, Nicole is now focused on growing her wellness business internationally.
Follow Nicole: @nicolegazaloneil
About Build Beautiful
Hosted by interior designer and property developer Linda Habak, Build Beautiful explores the human stories behind creative lives and businesses, from interior design and architecture to creative entrepreneurship and beyond.
Where design meets depth.
Season 3 is proudly supported by Tappeti Fine Hand-Crafted Rugs.
Follow @buildbeautiful_podcast.
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