At our recent Pareto Club event, 56 highly engaged BNI members had the opportunity to hear from Claire Osterstock, Founder and CEO of Simply Olive & Bee, and her story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you combine networking, courage, and consistency.

From physiotherapist to global business owner, Claire’s journey reflects two core BNI values in action: Givers Gain® and Building Relationships.

A Business Built on Relationships

Claire’s business didn’t start with a big marketing campaign or social media strategy.

It started with networking.

During her time as a BNI member (and time spent serving as Chapter President), Claire built strong relationships that later became critical when launching Simply Olive & Bee. When the idea was still in its infancy, she leaned on her network — from chemists to branding experts, accountants, and IT specialists.

“I had no idea where to start,” she shared. “So, I leaned on the people around me.”

Through conversations at BNI, Claire gained something invaluable: confidence that she was onto something.

The Power of Asking (and Being Brave)

One of the biggest lessons Claire carried from BNI into business?

Learning how to ask for what you want.

Whether it was approaching new stockists, entering international markets, or speaking to rooms of thousands, the confidence built through networking played a critical role.

From Adelaide Hills to global markets including the US, UK, UAE, Singapore and Canada — Claire credits her ability to start conversations and leverage relationships as a key driver of growth.

Her advice was simple: be brave enough to ask.

From Local Idea to Global Success

What began as a solution to a gap Claire identified in women’s health has grown into a product now stocked in over 700 stores, and continuing to expand internationally.

But as Claire openly shared, there’s no such thing as overnight success.

“It’s an overnight success… ten years in the making.”

Her journey highlights the importance of:

• Starting before you feel ready
• Testing ideas through real conversations
• Staying adaptable as your business evolves

Why Networking Still Matters

Even now, Claire continues to prioritise peer-to-peer networking.

“Business can be lonely,” she said. “Sometimes you just need someone who understands, or someone to bounce ideas off.”

Her business continues to grow, with new products launching and continued international expansion underway — but the foundation remains the same:  relationships, conversations, and community.

A Reminder for Every BNI Member

Claire’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when you fully embrace the BNI model.

Your network isn’t just about referrals today — it could be the foundation of your next big idea.

Because sometimes, the right conversation at the right time can change everything.