Like many Emmanuel College students, Kelly Newton made the big move to Brisbane from Yeppoon to start her law degree. Working in national law firms as a lawyer and consultant was the next step for her, but after a few years on the corporate ladder an exciting tree change presented itself.
“My parents had sold a larger food wholesaling business, and they had this smaller manufacturing business remaining that needed a bit of love and attention,”
“It was just the perfect time. I had just met my now husband and we decided, well, it felt very much on a whim. Let's go back and get involved.”
Kelly and her husband Mark took over Keppel Eats, which sells ‘value-added’ (meaning more than just the raw cut of meat) pork and beef products to more than 14,000 customers in the Australian foodservice industry. Think battered sausages, crumbed beef strips and the famous Keppel dagwood dogs sold at the Ekka.
While moving back home to run the family business wasn’t always smooth sailing, it did present big opportunities for learning and growth.
“We thought we knew a lot more than we did. You think you've got all the answers when you're on the sidelines. In life and in business, you do have to get involved and that's where your true learning starts.”
And one of those learnings was spotting a gap in the market for beef-based convenience foods.
“Keppel Eats was making and selling millions of units of value-added pork and we thought hang on, where is the value-added beef in the convenience space?”, Kelly recalls.
From this they created Cattlemen’s, their beef-based company offshoot which as Kelly says, brings “…value-added beef to more people in Australia at convenient prices, in convenient formats and in convenient places.”
But for Kelly, Keppel Eats isn’t just about producing food; they’re also deeply intertwined with the economic development of the Yeppoon region.
“We are the largest manufacturer in our region and a real core part of ‘our why’ in business is creating jobs in regions… That spans from research and development and food technology to production and warehousing. There's roles in quality control, sales and marketing, business development and administration.”
Another way Keppel Eats keeps the local region at the heart of what they do is by supporting community initiatives like local sporting teams, schools, and fundraising efforts.
“That is definitely par for the course when you live in a smaller community because the people who ask you or the people that you read about who are fundraising, they will inevitably be people that you know. And so just from your heart you want to support them.”
After running a large-scale company for almost 15 years of more than 50 staff and growing, Kelly has some sage advice to pass on to anyone who might be looking to start their own business.
Kelly says networking, or connecting with people, is paramount. Whether that is people you met at school, through your work or social life, or even right here at college.
“Never lose sight of that power of your connections. Not even necessarily in opening doors, but on giving alternative viewpoints and the ability to discuss your path or what you want to do.”
Harnessing your connections is particularly important for young women entering male dominated industries.
“For women I say also - you've always got to ask. That's really important, irrespective of whatever business you're in.”
Kelly also highlights the importance of actively engaging with industry bodies to make sure the interests of your business are heard.
“Wherever you're based and in whatever industry, making sure you're not a passive member but active member of those representative bodies. That also builds your own skill set, whether that is in advocacy or stakeholder management.”
While making and maintaining connections is key, leading with authenticity is also at the core of a successful business, Kelly says.
"It’s about knowing who you are, but then also continuously developing your own skill set and stretching your own comfort zone."
This continuous self-development helps with understanding your values and your ‘why’.
“There's wonderful days in business or in any job. But it's important to know those values on those harder days or the times where things are more challenging. You've got to be able to tap into a why or purpose that will see you through those moments of challenge.”
Finally, Kelly says bringing enthusiasm to all you do, whether that’s at work or at home, can be powerful – especially when starting your own business.
“Energy and enthusiasm is contagious, irrespective of industry. You can relax a little out of professionalism as long as it's replaced by enthusiasm.”
“We all want to be on the team with the person who's excited to be there.”
In 2025 Emmanuel College is celebrating 50 years since women were admitted to the College. If you know of an inspirational female-identifying alumnus, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at alumni@emmanuel.uq.edu.au.