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Audio Hello Geelong Episode 1 - Jessie Walsdorf

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In this very first episode of Hello Geelong, I sit down with the radiant and joyful Jessie Walsdorf - a celebrant, performer, Mum, and the heart behind Jessiebelle Celebrant.

We talk about what it means to live a life filled with love stories - from the raw emotion of wedding ceremonies to the confidence built through years on the stage. Jessie shares her take on authenticity in business, connecting deeply with people, and why Geelong’s holds a special place in her heart.

This conversation is full of laughter, heart, and the kind of insight that reminds you why local stories matter.

💛 Follow Jessie at @jessiebellecelebrant 

Subscribe for new episodes every fortnight, and if you loved this one, please share it with a friend or leave a review - it means the world.

Cara:

Hello and welcome to Hello Geelong, the podcast that shines a light on the incredible people that make this town tick. I'm Cara Oliver, local buyers advocate and your host, and today for our very first episode, I'm chatting to someone who embodies everything. This podcast is about warmth, creativity, connection, and community. We are recording today in the absolutely stunning Providence Wines, and I wanna say a huge thank you to Candace and the team for welcoming us into this gorgeous space. It's the perfect backdrop for a conversation. It's all heart and all Geelong. And if you've got an upcoming wedding, it is the most amazing venue. My guest today is someone I absolutely adore, both personally and professionally. She's a celebrant, a performer, a small business powerhouse, and just so happens to be my amazing friend and sister-in-law. Jessie Waldorf from Jessie Bell, celebrant and big love elopements. Jesse is a bright light in her industry, known for being unapologetically herself, for lifting others up and for creating ceremonies that are full of joy and meaning. I cannot wait for you to meet her. So welcome,

Jessie:

Jesse. Oh, thank you. What an introduction. I feel like you need to come everywhere with me, Cara, and just introduce me.

Cara:

thank you so much for being my first ever guest. This is such an honor and I'm. So excited. Thank you. Thanks for having me. So for anyone who doesn't know you, which is probably no one, but for anyone who's meeting you for the first time, can you tell us

Jessie:

a little bit about

Cara:

yourself?

Jessie:

Well, yes. My name is Jessie and, I love life and I love being happy in life and finding happiness wherever I can, and that is a lot to do with through my work because I get to tell love stories all day, every day I get to be part of people's love and, share their beautiful wedding day with them, which I just can't believe I've found the perfect job for me that brings all of my expertise together. For many years I was a Captain Starlight at Starlight Children's Foundation, so I developed a lot of skills where I could walk into any room, read the vibe. Understand what was needed. And that's really set me up for life in terms of being able to, help get to know couples really quickly and honestly, and know exactly what they need from their day because every single person's different. My favorite part of my job is getting to meet people all the time and chatting to them, finding out all about them so I can share their day with them. I do come from a performance background. This gives me my outlet every single week because I am so comfortable in front of a microphone. I know a lot of people could not agree with that, but I just absolutely love it. It's my happy place.

Cara:

It's so true. So yeah, Jesse and I have a background in performance together and work together as Starlight Captains and this. Life that Jessie has now created for herself just absolutely captures all of her skills and embodies those so beautifully. And when you see Jessie deliver a ceremony, it is just perfection and it is tailored exactly to the couple. I've seen you deliver a lot of ceremonies and no one is the same. It's always so beautifully captures the couple that are getting married, and I think that's such a skill.

Jessie:

Yes.

Cara:

Um, and you're right, I guess that experience that you've had is, is. All sort of has led to this.

Jessie:

I think it's all led to this moment. Yeah. And it was actually a friend of mine who suggested that I, would make a really good celebrant and I'd never thought about it before. And I was like, yes. And I was ready for a career change. So I have two amazing children, Jude to Violet. And when Jude was born, I was ready to step away from Starlight, having my own child now and then working with children, I was finding that quite difficult. So it was a beautiful transition into all of my skills coming together. So it was a

Cara:

bit of a light bulb moment

Jessie:

for you? Oh, huge light bulb moment. And I always thought that it would just be, something on the side that I did and I've been able to curate an incredible career, full-time career out of be being a celebrant. Yeah. And. I've gotta give myself a pat on the back for that because it's absolutely amazing and it's a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Yes. And with everything that anyone ever does. But it's so worth it, so worth all the hard work to Yeah. Tailor a career that I can be really flexible around as well. Yes. And choose when I want to work, which is amazing.

Cara:

And that's so important for us moms. And we are, we're so busy and we've got, you know, young kids and trying to. Have a meaningful career Yes. But also have a family and have that balance. Talk to me about work-life balance. How do you feel? What's your approach?

Jessie:

it's a work in progress. It's always a work in progress. Because us being strong, independent women, we, need that outlet. Absolutely. And I, I personally need that outlet. Not everyone does. And I have a very, very supportive husband and partner Kent, who allows me to work together to juggle everything, to be able to have this amazing career. Yeah. However, I did get to a breaking point where I said, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Yeah. And then we realized, yeah, this is, this is the limit. And you have to find those boundaries. You have to find it. And now I've gone, okay. I've proven to myself that I can do this. Yes. You don't need to take on everything all at once. Yeah. And you can give time to yourself and to your family. And, so it's been really nice to find that really good balance of, you know, bringing in the money to help support the family and do all the fun things Yes. In life and just Yeah. Working hard as well and Yeah. Yeah. Being there for

Cara:

the

Jessie:

kids. Being there for the kids.

Cara:

Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. So your brand, is something that I think a lot of our small business owners should aspire to. The way you've approached branding both of your businesses, big Love and Jesse Bell. Yes. It's so authentically you, and that just comes across so strongly in your social media. And it's something that I actually reached out to you about.'cause I was like, how do you be so authentically you and let go of the concerns of judgment and all those other things? Because I think that's a really difficult thing in business is to, to put yourself out there constantly. But the way that you do it is so genuine and so beautiful, and it comes across as just like a magnification of who you are, not a, not a persona. It's, it's really beautiful. How did you learn to, to do that?

Jessie:

I really wanted, I came from a, from a perspective where I wanted my couples to feel like they already knew me. Mm. By the time they reached out? Yes. To. Marry them so that they felt completely comfortable with me. And then when they meet me, they go, that is the person on Instagram. Yes. Yes. That is smiling and happy and having a joke and having a laugh. I don't take myself seriously. I think that's a really big thing.

Yeah,

Jessie:

sure. I know the importance of getting married, that legal aspect so important and it's one of the most incredible days of your life, but I look at it as it should reflect you. Yes. And have some fun with it. And life never goes smoothly. No. So if you've got kids involved, great. We know it's not gonna be absolutely perfect. You, your dog's there and it's, you know, having a wine because it wants to be next to you and barking it. I really wanna capture that. Anything goes with me.

Cara:

Yes,

Jessie:

I will embrace anything that comes along and I'll be there for you to support you.

Cara:

And I think you've nailed that initial vision of your social media and your brand persona is that people do know you before, and, and it is, it is you. It's not, another version of Jesse. It's absolutely a hundred percent you, which is so, so perfect. Another thing I really admire about you in business is that you are, you really, really value collaboration over competition. So you are always lifting others up in your industry. I've never heard you say a bad word about anyone, celebrant or otherwise in your industry. And I love the way you really. If someone new is coming into the industry, you're like, Hey, come on board. I can, I can teach you what I know and I'd love to help you and if I, you know, if I'm booked out or recommend you all of that, so Absolutely. How did that evolve for you?

Jessie:

It's really interesting. I wouldn't have the career I have without a community of celebrants who actually reached out to me when I moved to Geelong. Amazing. So I was in Melbourne when I first became a celebrant, and I really, truly believe I would not be the celebrant. I am still living in Melbourne, Geelong has played a huge role in my community and who I've become and the connections I've made. Yeah. And it's such a beautiful city. To, to create that industry and in the fact that it's big enough, for everyone to be able to work in the industry, yet we all know each other. Yeah. And we can all work together. So, I met a fellow celebrant, Chloe. Chloe Elliot, who is Chloe Celebrant, and she also owns Ivory Tribe now. So she's smashing it at that, look, me lifting people up. There you go. Yes, and I met her through a mutual friend and she was starting, Geelong Celebrant Collective, where they wanted to bring celebrants together, as, you know, a support group for each other and to give each other work and, you know, really lift up the industry. And Chloe reached out to me. We all caught up, and eight of us celebrants just had never met, clicked. And to this day, we, last week, we caught up for dinner. It's amazing and it's just beautiful and we are constantly on Messenger chats, supporting each other. I've got this issue, how do I fix it? Uh, you, everything like that. We are just there for one another and that's just really opened up, my world so that I can then be a support for anyone who comes to me as well. I absolutely love that. I also think it's a lot to do with me having a real self-assuredness yes. About who I am and what I can offer. And then I know I'm not competing with anyone. Yes. Yeah. Because no one can be me. Yep. Absolutely. And so if another amazing celebrant comes along, great. I'm so happy to offer my services to you. Catch up for a coffee, give you what I need because I know you can't do my job. Yeah. You can't be me. Yeah. And there's only so many weddings and can't be them.

Cara:

No. And I think that's one thing that I think in all industries, exist, but not everyone feels it, is that there's the right, you know, there's the right celebrant for this couple, everyone is different. We're all so different. Absolutely. Not everyone is going want Jesse Bell Salva, although I can't see why they wouldn't, but do you know what I mean? But there's gonna be a personality that suits one couple that another couple might be looking for something really serious. And straight down the line. And that's wonderful as well. Probably the perfect celebrant out there for that. But it's the same with every industry. It's the same with property, with real estate, with building, with anything. Same with therapists, that we're all different and as soon as you own, what, what really shines for you.

Mm-hmm.

Cara:

I think that is what you've done so well is owned. This is who I am and I'm not gonna dull my sparkle for anyone. I'm not gonna, you know of, of course you, you alter your ceremonies to suit the couple and their story and all of those things, but you are still you a hundred percent of the time. Why be, I actually had someone say this to me, once when I was studying. They said, don't try and be them, be you because studying performing obviously. It was a real moment for me to go, oh, but they're better. I'm trying, you know, but they'll always be better at being them than I will. Mm-hmm. But if you aren't who you are, you'll be the best version of yourself and you do that so immaculately and so beautifully. And yeah, I think that's just a real skill.

Jessie:

Yeah. And I think we had that discussion when you were setting up your, your business as well, and it was about you being you and not trying to be the industry. Yes, yes, yes. So. You can change it up and it

Cara:

feels very freeing. Yeah, it does. So actually, you know what I, I'm just gonna go out there and be me, and, that will shine for some people and it won't for others. And that's fine because we're all, you know, there's plenty of us out there. So, yes. Yeah. I love that. And you touched on moving to Geelong. Yes. So, you just had, well, you had Jude. Yes. You were pregnant

Jessie:

with Violet? Not yet. but clearly living in Melbourne, in the heart of Melbourne isn't really a realistic thing these days. So the only place that Kent, my husband and I thought in the future. We could live in Geelong and of course you were here. So we knew we had family here in Geelong already and it was big enough for me because I'm a very outgoing person who loves to socialize. My husband is more, would love, you know, a bit of property in the old ways and he'd be happy there for, seeing a single soul every five years or so.

Yep.

Jessie:

But for me, I just needed, that little bit more city vibe. And I feel like Geelong really captured that. So we moved, our first place to our toner meadows. So it was kind of the first step, down the freeway and that's where we had Jude of course got my dog very important, Hank as well. And then, once we had Jude, we realized there wasn't any family support around us and we're really, struggling with that. Yeah. And feeling very isolated from, from Melbourne and from family. Yes. And so. We made the move down here and we're very

Cara:

lucky because since Jesse has moved to Geelong, your mother and my mother-in-law has also moved to Geelong. So we have a lot of family support. I've also got my mom down here, so we are so lucky and my dad and his wife, so we're surrounded by family. And I think when you are busy as you are mm-hmm. I mean, your mom is incredible. She steps in and does so much as does my mom for me and and your mom. For me, absolutely. I wouldn't have the

Jessie:

career I have without my mom's support.

Cara:

was there anything that surprised you about living in Geelong? Like once you moved, was there anything that sort of took you by surprise?

Jessie:

I just, how much I love it. Yeah. I feel. So at home here, and the moment we moved to Geelong, it just felt like home. And I really didn't know much about it before we moved here either. And it's just so easy to get around. It's so pretty. It's so easy to get to the coast. So easy to get to Ballin. So many wineries.

Cara:

I grew up in Geelong and what amazes me is like when Tom and I were first moving back, I was like, well, you know, but the restaurants, the cafe, you know, the cafe lifestyle. Um, maybe nightclubs aren't as great. I don't know. I don't go in. Yeah. I much, although piano ball's fabulous. So we, we will meet there. Yes. But we're so lucky and everything, you know, our kids, both your kids and two of my three are incredibly busy with activities. The other one's too young, but, everything's only a five to 10 minute drive. So easy. Whereas I feel like in Melbourne with kids. It would be a nightmare you would be sitting in the car with. Well, I've got a toddler at the moment with a screaming toddler for hours every day just to do the school run and go to ballet or something. Absolutely. It'll be a minimum

Jessie:

45 minutes Yes. To get anywhere. Totally. I totally agree with that.

Cara:

Yeah. I think we've got it so lucky and I think until, even if you've lived here as a kid and grown up here like I did until I moved back and got settled and connected and found my community, I didn't appreciate how good we have it, you know, how amazing living in Geelong and what an incredible lifestyle you can build here. Um, so I really think

Jessie:

that's, yeah, that's huge. And I didn't have any preconceived ideas about Geelong. Because I haven't lived in Victoria for that long. It's been 15 years. So I don't have the background of what Geelong used to be like either. Yes. And you know, a lot of people tell me now what it used to be like, but I was coming in with a fresh face. Yes. Geelong's amazing. Yeah. Look at all of these things and cafes and bars and restaurants. Yeah. And the water and, you know, just the vibe is beautiful. And I really think,'cause I grew up in Perth, so I feel like Geelong has that real sense of community. Yes. Like Perth, you can walk down the street and I am a lover of bumping into people. Yes. And having a good old chitchat, good chi. So when I do see someone in the street, I love it. Yes. And it feels like home to me because that's what it was like in Perth. Yes. It's, and you know, that one degree of separation. Yeah. And because I, am in very much in the wedding community. I'll bump into my couples or people I work with all the time, and I love it.

Cara:

Amazing, amazing. So we've spoken about your wedding, so can you give us a bit of a rundown on the two businesses? So, Jesse Bell celebrant is sort of your, and this is my very naive insight into all of this, is, you know, the bigger weddings, the, you know, inviting lots of people, but then you've got big love elopements. Yes. Tell us a bit about that. That's incredible. I love it.

Jessie:

Yeah. So that's for your smaller, intimate, style ceremonies and packages, just so that it doesn't detract from the quality you get. It's just on a smaller scale. So not everyone wants to have 400 people at their wedding at$150 a head Yes. In a giant, setting. Mm-hmm. You can do it intimately and beautifully with 20 of your faves. Or two of you and two witnesses, or 50 even for a big luscious lunch or dinner. And still have the beautiful ceremony, no matter how short it may be. And also have beautiful photos. So big love elopements, combines, celebrant and photographer as packages. And there's smaller packages, to suit everyone's needs. And then you can add on videography, musician florals as well. We try and make it as easy as possible. And then we also have beautiful relationships with venues like Providence Wines who offer different elopement packages or micro wedding packages as well. Yes. So it's more your weekday or your Saturday morning or Sunday morning, style. Ceremonies and elopements

Cara:

and following along on your socials for Big Love. I have seen some photos and I'm just like, oh my gosh, that looks so beautiful.'cause it's so intimate. Sometimes it's just the couple and their kids or, you know, it's so meaningful, I think for those people to be able to celebrate their marriage, their wedding day in the way that feels right for them. Not in the way that they've been told needs to happen. And I think that's really important.

Jessie:

And I think with Big Love elopements, it's about us educating those couples to say, you can do it the way you want to do it. Yep. And it's, it's really had a big shift and COVID has had a lot to do with that shift. We started in 2019, just before the pandemic, but it allowed the world to shift in terms of. How you view your marriage Yes. And how you celebrate that.

Cara:

Yes.

Jessie:

And the type of ceremony that you wanna have. Yeah. So it's opened up a lot. Incredible doors.

Cara:

Incredible. And so we're at Providence mind. So part of the idea of the podcast is that I asked my guest to choose where we are filming. Can you tell us why you chose Providence?

Jessie:

Yes, absolutely. Well, Providence Wines is based at F Fed Paper Mill. So it's really at the heart of Geelong and it's this beautiful, historic, area. It's amazing. There's multiple buildings

Cara:

operating, wine cellar in the background.

Jessie:

Yes. So this is a working winery, and we are sitting in the river room with a river behind us. Buckley falls behind us. And on the other side of the wall is the working winery. But we thought it was really lovely that we could. Come in in a place Absolutely. That does this. So in the river room here, I act actually have done some intimate elopements in this very room. Amazing. It's amazing. However, it's one of my favorite, favorite places to have one of the big, big wedding ceremonies as well. Just last week I had a ceremony in the Grand Hall. Amazing. If ever get a chance to check it out, it is stunning. But you can jump on Jesse Bell's talents Instagram page and check out all the photos. Anyway.

Cara:

Amazing. I went to a gig in the Grand Hall. I can't even remember what it was. Something and it was phenomenal. It's such a beautiful, like it is so old. I couldn't even begin to imagine how old that building is, but it is just stunning. The history down here is phenomenal. There's actually little tours and things and it's, it's really fascinating. I'm not someone who's really fascinated by history, but I find this place incredible.

Jessie:

Yeah. So not only Providence Wines, but also within the paper mill. There's so many little like pottery crafty art galleries, and just spending a Saturday morning here is so beautiful, beautiful

Cara:

creatives and the Door Gallery Cafe. Ah, amazing. And the team here at Providence, I don't know them as well as you do, but just meeting them this morning, my gosh, they're so welcoming. They're so full apart for what they do.

Jessie:

Yeah. And that's why I love coming here and recommending Provenance because I know that my couples are gonna get the most amazing experience from start to finish.

Cara:

Yeah.

Jessie:

Yeah.

Cara:

On that. Have you got any random, like really strange things that couples have requested? Have you ever had, like, what's the strangest or most fun? Doesn't have to be because I know you don't think anything strange or weird, but like what's the most crazy or fun or out there thing that you've had? Oh my gosh. Putting you on the spot here.

Jessie:

Yeah, putting me on the spot. But I did have, someone arrive in a helicopter. Oh, that was fun. Amazing. I mean, I wish Amazing. Wish I was in a helicopter too. I'm not sure whether I do

Cara:

No, actually, no, sorry.

Jessie:

We, have had a couple recently contact Big Love elopements. They want to skydive. Oh. And then Land on the Beach and get married there. So I am, I am up for that. You just don't have to skydive with them, do you? I'm happy to wait for your arrival of the skydiving and then I shall get you married.

Cara:

Yeah,

Jessie:

that

Cara:

is very, very cool. That's very cool. And you are the perfect celebrant for that. Yeah. Not, not the skydiving part, but the waiting part and the Yeah.

Jessie:

Love it. Yes. And I'm still waiting for someone to, ask to get married in a hot air balloon. So I would, I'd like that. I think that would be very cool. And then you could wave to me from your house because you get the beautiful you. Yes. And

Cara:

my dog would bark obsessively in a very stressed manner at the balloon as it goes past. As it goes past. Yep. Yep.

Jessie:

Beautiful.

Cara:

Enjoy

Jessie:

that.

Cara:

Thanks

Jessie:

Olive.

Cara:

So I'm gonna give you a few quick fire questions, right? So these are ones just straight off the bat. Give me whatever answer comes to mind, right? So go to wedding song that still gets you emotional.

Jessie:

My own, I choose you. Sarah Rales. Yes. And of course my beautiful friend Laura Davidson. Look her up. She's absolutely incredible singer. She sang it down the aisle. Look, I'm tearing up. Oh, I know. Gosh, I, that was amazing. Yeah. I love that song so much because it has so much meaning for me. I choose you. Yes. It's not when no one's being forced. Here you are my person. Yes, yes, yes.

Cara:

okay, next quick fire question. Favorite moment during the ceremony?

Jessie:

Favorite moment in the ceremony is if there's one person standing up waiting for another partner to walk in. It's watching their face. Oh yes, it is beautiful. Oh, it is just like that raw emotion, all the buildup to this moment. Yes. And they're waiting for their future partner to walk in and that partner shows up and that partner shows up. That's a whole nother podcast I can get into. You had one of those, I have had an almost no show. Yes. Eventually turned up. Yes. Eventually turned up.

Okay.

Jessie:

But we made it happen. Wow. That's definitely part two of the podcast. That is that a

Cara:

whole another podcast. I love it. What is always in your celebrant kit? Lipstick. For you or bride? For, for me. I'll groom whoever. mince.

Jessie:

Mince. Definitely mince, in my celebrant kit. Tissues.

Cara:

Yes.

Jessie:

Always tissues.

Cara:

I cry at every wedding. You do. And I think if I was a celebrant, I would cry even if I didn't know them. I mean, you, you know them because you know your couples once you are marrying'em, obviously, but I just find them so emotional.

Jessie:

If I'm a guest and not the celebrant, I cry. Yeah. And I am able to compartmentalize when I am the celebrant, luckily.

Cara:

Yes. Yeah. Which you do incredibly. And you have done not many, but a few funerals. Yes. And my gosh, I am in awe of your ability to do that. And two. Deliver such beautiful service and honor someone in such a gorgeous way without absolutely losing it.

Jessie:

Yeah. Because

Cara:

I know I would.

Jessie:

Yes.

Cara:

Yeah.

Jessie:

That's huge. And it's not something I often do at the moment, because of that very reason.

Yes.

Jessie:

And yeah, holding it together for the family is definitely a skill, but I dunno where I pull it from, but I do. Yeah. And, and then, yeah. It does really affect me afterwards. Yes. So I, I think that's a down the track option. Yes. And something I'd have to work on.

Cara:

Wow. Yeah. And you're so busy with your weddings that really don't need to, go down that path. No. Is there a dream wedding location that you haven't yet worked at?

Jessie:

Yes. And I am about to have all my dreams come true.

Cara:

I didn't plant this, but now I know where we're going.

Jessie:

Yes, I am heading to France to marry my beautiful friends in a chateau in the southwest of France. I can't tell you how much of a dream this is for me and for them. And so my husband and I are heading off next week, without the kids. That's a scary bit, but it will be absolutely incredible. And I just, I can't wait.

Cara:

Marrying someone in a shadow in France. Yeah, yeah. That's on the bucket list for sure. I mean, I'm not celebrant so I won't put it on my own. That would be really weird and I'd never tick it off.

Jessie:

Maybe selling a chateau, like working with couples to buy a chateau.

Cara:

Absolutely. Yep. Amazing. So Jessie, you touched on performance background. Jessie and I actually went to Brent Street Studios in Sydney back in, I hate to think of the year. Um, 2002. 2002. My goodness. And did full-time dance and had the best fun, fish out of order in Sydney. I came from a small town, you, you from Geelong, you'd come from Perth. And here we landed in King Street, Newtown in Sydney. But yeah, it was a lot of fun and we really connected and actually I knew Jesse and became great friends with Jesse before I met your brother. Yes. Who is now my husband, so Exactly. But. You've just started rehearsing for a musical, and this is something you and I are musical theater nerds and Absolutely, yes. Love our musicals, but in amongst the chaos of having kids and family life and running businesses, we haven't really had much of a chance to get back on that stage. But I am so excited for you because tell us a little bit about it.

Jessie:

Yes. Well, I am in a musical and it was very, very nerve wracking auditioning for it. So 10 years ago was the last musical I did in Ballarat, actually. Yes. And I was pregnant with Jude secretly at the time in my role. I remember you

Cara:

skipping whilst pregnant and singing,

Jessie:

skipping and singing and dancing. Phenomenal while pregnant and the very early stages and ous. Of, let's say nauseous. Yes. And all the fun things that come with pregnancy. The bucket side stage wasn't a prop. It definitely wasn't. And there were scenes that I didn't quite make it on for, in those matinee performances. Uh, and then of course I went on to have Jude and then Violet. And there hasn't really been a chance to get back on stage. Uh, and also because I work a lot of weekends and it's weekend performances, so I haven't, and rehearsals and rehearsals and everything that comes with it. And just having young kids and taking yourself away from your kids, to, to commit to that is really huge. It's huge, isn't it? It's huge. And I had to wait for something to come along that was going to. Fill my bucket enough to leave my kids at home and do something for me. But you

Cara:

don't have to leave them both at home.

Jessie:

I know, because my beautiful son, Jude, auditioned for the show as well and got in. He's very first audition. I'm very proud of him. But of course, Jude and Violet have both been doing impetus dance for many years since they were in my belly. Yes. And so they've grown up in the theater world and, and I now teach

Cara:

the music theater and they're so cute in class. So adorable. Yeah.

Jessie:

And I think it just, you know, being part of the impetus family that we call it is just such a beautiful community in Geelong. Yes, I agree. And it's set the kids up so well for such confidence in life. Yes. And through that. Luckily they have also gotten the music theater bug. And I would definitely encourage that at any chance. But of course if they don't have that bug, that is absolutely fine as well.

Cara:

Totally agree. And I think, when I think about Clementine also is a interest, um, your daughter, music theater, my daughter. Um, and, but dance and, and all kids activities, it's not about the actual activity, it's about the connections. It's about the confidence. And I think that's one thing that Dance and music theater do very well. Yes. Is give a child self-confidence. And sometimes because I teach there, you have these kids in class who they might not shine at school. They might not get the opportunity to show their incredible magic

very

Cara:

often, but they come into those classes and you just see this child blossom. And it's the most beautiful thing to watch. Yes. And I think it doesn't mean that, you know, they're necessarily going to be leading to a life of performing or anything like that. It's, that's irrelevant. It's that beautiful confidence that they get and how they feel when they walk in a room and that community of friends that absolutely, you know, grows with them through life.

Jessie:

Yeah. And with impetus, I know I'm shouting out to them a lot'cause they're absolutely amazing. Go Shere. Oh, incredible. Yes. They, they really make sure that the people that come in there, their true selves and yes, it's about them shining Yes. As a person, as a human and having fun doing it and being happy. Yes. And loving that one hour that they go into that room and have the best time.

Cara:

Absolutely. We call it a happy place. We don't, and it genuinely is because you walk in there and it, it is, it allows you to be the whole of you.

Yeah.

Cara:

And to express yourself in, you know, in ways that you don't get to in everyday life. And yeah, I love it. As an adult, we do the adult classes as well. We do adult classes. And I teach some of the kids, but it's just whether I'm in there as a teacher or a student, I just feel like I get in there and, um, you know, you're not thinking about,

oh, what am I gonna

Cara:

cook dinner? And, you know, what's, what email didn't I get to today? And all of those things that as. Women as mothers, as business owners, as as people. All the hats, all the different hats we wear, all the hats go off. And it's just me. And I think that's, that's amazing. And you get to enjoy that. So when you come in,

Jessie:

I do love it. And I've always had dance in my life and it will never change. Yeah. That is my one thing that will always be a constant. Yes. And seeing my mom still dancing at 75, 76. Yes.

Cara:

And my mom's still at

Jessie:

78. Yes. Your mom at 70 dancing. And, and it's just always gonna be in our bodies and it's always gonna be something that we need to do as an outlet.

Cara:

Yes. I have said before that I feel like dance is my meditation. Yeah. I'm not very good at meditating. Though I would love to get better, but it clears everything else. You know? You don't think of anything else while you dance. You just in it. Yeah. And being able to be present. Is something that I probably struggle with because of how many hats I wear. So yeah. Love it. Absolutely love it.

Jessie:

And this musical is giving me that as well because I can switch off to everything and just have a good sing, have a good dance, and a good laugh. Oh, such a beautiful community. Oh, amazing. We're so lucky in Geelong to have the most incredible theater companies. Yes. Aren't we? Oh gosh. And such high standard,

Cara:

incredible standards Yeah. That we see in the shows. So it's Pippin. And what role are you playing? Yes,

Jessie:

I'm playing for. Strata. Incredible. And she is the mother, the queen, and she is bit of a sexy goddess. She apparently I will be working on that. Ross. Oh, stop. You're oozing it right now. No, it is really, really fun and challenging. Yeah, very challenging. Because it's about that confidence. I'm a very self-confident person as you know, but when it comes to music theater, have not, having done it for a very long time, it's getting back into that. And it's been a beautiful process and a challenge and I love it.

Cara:

Well, I cannot wait to watch you shine on stage and Jude. Yes. And we will be there supporting you. I know. And cheering Very lovely. You've already bought tickets? I've already bought tickets. So it's time for what I think is going to become one of my favorite parts of the podcast. It's called the Geelong Hit List. Great. So this is where I ask my guests. So you, Jesse, to spell their local loves, go to cafes, secret beaches, creative spots, and little community corners and things like that. Things beautiful that make this place feel like home for you.

Jessie:

Amazing.

Cara:

Beautiful. Let's do the Geelong hit list. So where do you go in Geelong when you need to refill your cup? Metaphorically?

Jessie:

I just usually head down to the waterfront, the, you know how there's the Cunningham Pier? Yes. And just to the left of that, there's like a playground. I often take the kids there, they have a bit of a play, and then I can just sit out on the water and it's just so beautiful. Or we go for walks along the waterfront. I think just having direct access five minutes away from my house

Cara:

Yeah.

Jessie:

To just look at the water. Even if I'm driving past. I agree. I often go along, yep. Eastern Beach Road just to see the water.

Cara:

Absolutely. I do one school drop off in town and I come home via the waterfront because I just, you breathe differently as soon as you see the water. And if I've got time, I stop and I have a walk. And yes. Doesn't matter how cold it is, how it's. Always stunning. Unless it's super, super windy though. Yeah. Yeah. But that, those cold glassy mornings where the ocean looks like a mirror. It's beautiful. It is phenomenal. So beautiful.

Yeah.

Cara:

next on the Geelong hit list. Go to cafe.

Jessie:

Well, I've got two. Yeah. So Soft Cafe is just my go-to. And it's your go-to as well because we live in the same area and I know everyone when I walk in. Yes. And they're always so friendly and they make amazing coffee and they're BRE burgers. Ah, stop, aren't they? They're amazing. But also there's one I'd love to give a shout out to called Gathered. So it's part of the K church? Yes. And it's just. Beautiful when you walk in, it's got the loveliest vibe. I went there a lot when my kids were at, Kania, childcare there. And I'd go and I'd sit on my laptop and I'd work'cause it was just slightly away from my home office and write my scripts. And you get your own mug. You choose a mug and they're all different. And you walk in with your mug and you'd be like, here, can I have my soy latte? Please do. You know, I always forget about that place. I know, I think I've been there once, like

Cara:

10 years ago.

Jessie:

Yeah. A need to get back there. Yeah. Yeah. And shout out to the amazing woman, Ellie, who used to work there. I think she still was part of the church, but she, by the first time I ever dropped Jude off for his very first day At daycare, yeah. And we all know his parents, how stressful that is for that hour for him to give it a go. I a mess. Went into this cafe for the very first time, but I'd also, because I was a mess, had forgotten my wallet. Oh. And so she's like. Have a cup of tea on me and I will always remember that. Always. That is so beautiful. And then I tried to pay her many times and she wouldn't let me. You're still trying to pay her. I'm still trying to pay her. I'll hunt you down 10 years later.

Cara:

So one perfect day in Geelong. So you've got a visiting friend. Oh, what are you gonna do with them? You've got a day agenda.

Jessie:

Oh, well I would definitely head to the ballin, take them to Jack Rabbit Winery. Sit there for a beautiful, lazy lunch, overlooking the gorgeous water. And then back onto Melbourne. Of course. Yes. Then I'd have to head to, if I, you know, if I had a helicopter, I'd head to lawn. Yeah. I love lawn. We have beautiful family connections in lawn. Thanks to you. And it's just one of my favorite, favorite places. Yes. Went too. Such a, such a

Cara:

part of my

Jessie:

heart. I

Cara:

got married

Jessie:

there. You did get

Cara:

married there before you were a

Jessie:

celebrant. Yes. I need to redo. I mean, get the same person. I got to stand up there with you though. You did. Yeah, you did. Was beautiful. So I was very excited about that. Yes. Definitely a lovely honor. Okay, so yes, I've been to Jack We Winery. Yes. And I've been to Lorne. Yes. Definitely a drive back along the Great Ocean Road. And then. Maybe even Mount Danita state for another wine.

Cara:

Yeah, why not? You've got the day.

Jessie:

Absolutely incredible. It might even pop to Nichols Paddock as well. Ah, yes. Yeah. Beautiful little winery. Just gorgeous. It is gorgeous, isn't it?

Cara:

Yeah.

Jessie:

Yeah.

Cara:

Amazing. And last one for the quick five. Um, is that what it's called? No, I don't know because

Jessie:

the Geelong hit list, I am

Cara:

taking longer than quick. The Geelong hit list slow. So a small, a local small biz or creative that you're crashing on right now,

Jessie:

I always love Frankie say relax. Ah, it is my go-to for all presents. Oh, isn't it? And gifts. Yes. And even if I don't need to buy anything for anyone, I just wander through. Yeah. Yes. And there's always something I want in there.

Cara:

Always, always. Yep. Totally agreed. Did you have, do you feel like we've, is there anything you. Need to share that we haven't

Jessie:

touched on? Well, you helped secure my amazing home for me. Oh my gosh. Twice. Yeah, twice. So maybe we should talk about that. Yes, yes. Yeah,

Cara:

I didn't plan that either.

Jessie:

So when we were moving to Geelong, wanting to move to Geelong, I had no idea where to live. You really helped me in getting where I needed to be. And my, prerequisite, I think, at the time was I wanna be close to the Ring road to get in, in, out of Melbourne, because a lot of our lives at that time were in Melbourne. And so you suggested Bell Post Hill. And the general area around that and helped us find what felt like a mansion when we bought it for the same price as our three bedroom, one bathroom in Alterna Meadows.

Yeah.

Jessie:

So it was walking into this huge place, which we just could not believe was our dream home. Yes. It was the most gorgeous place and served us so well for seven years until we sold up. Yes. To go around Australia in our carriage van. Oh gosh. You

Cara:

touched on that.

Jessie:

So about a year or two earlier, Kenton, I started planting the seed to say we'd love to go around Australia one day. You know, it'd be great for six months and when would suit the time with the kids. And so, because being a celebrant, I planned so far in advance. I decided to block out May to September, 2024 and just see how we go. And that was 18 months out. And then as we're getting closer, I'm like, am I still blocking this out? Yes, we are. Oh, we're upgrading our caravan. We're upgrading our car. All of a sudden we are going. And so six weeks out from going we are like, let's sell our house. Yeah. So, um, yeah, shout out to Matt Plunkett. Amazing. He sold our house in four weeks. Absolutely incredible. And we just feel so lucky that it all just fell into place for us to take off and not have to worry about that chapter. Then it made it really exciting for us to come home and have something to look forward to.'cause we knew it was gonna be a crash back to reality after spending five months traveling around Australia. Oh yeah. And me taking all that time off, not working, which I really needed. And I saw it as my long service leave of seven years. Yes. I gave myself long service

Cara:

leave. Oh, that's actually an incredible thing to do.'cause not many people in in small businesses do that. Small.

Jessie:

Yeah. Well, Kent had long service leave, so I'm like, well, I'm taking my long service leave. Yeah, yeah. You deserve it just as much. Thank you. I do agree. And so when I got back, I had your help to know the market so well in Geelong. You knew what we wanted. I gave you the list of all the must-haves, the nice haves where we wanted to live. We were very open.

Cara:

Yes. Yeah. You really were. Which is two

Jessie:

options I think.

Cara:

Good to, to sort of have that flexibility. but you were also really clear on what you wanted, so, yes.

Jessie:

Yeah. And I think I gave you a really clear understanding of what I wanted as well. Yeah. And I know you are very passionate about the real estate industry and you know, real estate app is your lifeline. Oh gosh. Yeah. I, I look

Cara:

at it more than I look at socials. I think so. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Obsessed is probably the, the answer. Yeah.

Jessie:

Yeah. And I think coming from a building background, you just really had a really good understanding of things that we wouldn't notice in a house. And so when we invited you to come along to the ones we were keen on, you could give us a really good understanding of behind the scenes and what's to code and what might be an issue in the future, and all of those things that we would not ever think about. Mm-hmm. And the value as well. Yes. The value of the houses that we were looking at. And then one morning I get a text with this link that had just come up in Hamlin Heights of this perfect house, I think 5:00 PM that day. You, me and my husband were there knocking on their door.

Yes.

Jessie:

And we walked through and you helped us negotiate to, to buy it that night. Yeah. At 7:00 PM we had bought that house.

Cara:

And it is, so I saw it pop up and I just was like, this is their house. This is it. It was in the perfect area. It's a beautiful home. Like it's just, it, it screamed to me that, that it was the right place for you guys. And I was so excited when I saw it, I was like. Oh my God. Urgent text. Immediate.

Jessie:

Yes.

Cara:

And you have to buy this house.

Jessie:

Your son AIE was also there and he turned to me and he went, auntie Jesse, I think you should buy this house.

Cara:

He has actually become a bit of a property guru himself. He texts me houses when they're coming up. I love it. Or like sends me penthouses in Melbourne that are worth like$42 million. And he's like, mom, look at these. I'm like,

Jessie:

oh yeah, one day. Yeah. Yeah. That could be a second home.

Cara:

Yes. So, no, that was amazing and I was so excited. And you're now living in there. And how's that been the transition into,

Jessie:

we are so happy. Uh, it is perfect and the neighborhood is amazing. The house is incredible. Our neighbors are wonderful and we are so happy. And it's the house that we didn't have to do anything to either. Yes. And that was a high priority for us. Not a game changer. Yeah. Um, or a deal breaker, but walking in knowing that we don't have to change a thing for right now is so amazing.

Cara:

Yes. And it's interesting'cause often when you're looking for a property, you've got a list of everything you know, that you must have, and then you've got your, your nice to haves and things. It's rare to get absolutely everything, but you really got absolutely like, you know, a nice to have would be a spot for the caravan, for example. This was just, there's a spot everything. I was like, hang on a minute. But it's got everything. You know, it's got the beautiful pool, it's got, it just had, we did

Jessie:

give you the list of the pool that was all room for a pool. Yes. And this

Cara:

had, you know, just had everything in spades and it's. It doesn't always happen that way, but it's so nice when it does to say, oh my gosh, the perfect property actually exists. Yes. We, we weren't even looking off market, you know, that was an on the market property. Um, off market is something else I explored, but, but that just, you didn't need to.

Jessie:

Yeah.

Cara:

It was amazing.

Jessie:

Yeah.

Cara:

Amazing.

Jessie:

And then my favorite thing just, just for fun in the entire house, it's not even the pool. I love the pool. There is a tap Oh, in our kitchen that is boiling water. Oh, stop. I just tap

Oh,

Jessie:

cup of tea. Off I go. Who's the kettle? I have put my kettle away. It is in the caravan. Oh. It is not needed. That is incredible. That's amazing. Living the dream. Yeah. Cups of tea for days. Alright, let's head to yours for a cup. Perfect. Everyone come over.

Cara:

Oh, amazing. Amazing. So thank you so much, Jesse. I have no idea how much time we've taken up of your precious time and busy life, but I appreciate it to no end. It's been so fun, so joyful. Yes. Thank you for sharing your heart and your honesty and telling us all about your wonderful, wonderful life. To everyone listening, if you loved this episode, be sure to follow along. There'll be more, planning to do this. Every fortnight. So it's gonna be very exciting. I think you should follow Jesse if you don't, even if it's just to get social media tips for your own business because, she's incredible. So, Jessie Bell Celebrant? Yes. Is that correct on Insta and Face? That's right. Yeah. And Big Love elopements on both Insta and Face. Perfect. And if you're looking for a celebrant, obviously he'll bring warmth, fun, all the vibes, everything you need, loves dogs, loves kids, side, side entertainment gig as the child entertainer at the wedding, whatever you need, MC host amazing. She's just incredible. So you cannot go past Jessie unless you do want the serious no. And that No Smiles wedding. That is

Jessie:

fine as well.

Cara:

Each to their own. So. Please, please follow along. I've got so many inspiring locals that I would love everyone to meet. If you are listening and, you know, an inspiring local or you are an inspiring local, reach out. I would love to chat. If you're thinking about making Geelong your home, obviously reach out, follow me on Hello Advocates. That's where I'll be posting all the podcasting. Thank you so much for being here. It's been an absolute joy and I can't wait to share another story straight from the heart of Geelong. Thank you. Thanks, Cara.