Charlotte Rimmer – Aide de MD

What’s your favourite place on the Northern Beaches?
Tough call, there are so many, Freshie, Palmie, walk from Manly to Curlie

Is there something about you that would surprise people?
I’m 5 th in a family of 6 so I always feel young

What’s something everyone should do at least once?
Backpack, rough it, really see diverse cultures

It’s Sunday afternoon, where do we find you?
Lying on my bed reading a book or out for a long lunch

If you were down to your last $50, what would you spend it on?
Books which I’d read and give away

Business

How did Aide de MD happen?
It grew organically after I took time off to be a full time mum. Ex clients rang asking for guidance or a sounding board. We’ve been running for 15 years.

How did Manly Chamber happen?
I wanted somewhere to get to know local businesses, joined it 5 years ago, stepped onto the committee 2 years ago, president last year.

Best business experience?
Collaborating with a team to launch Coco Chanel Parfum in Paris in my first “serious” job.

Best Manly Chamber experience?
Stepping up to work with the Chamber to get the hardship grants for the Northern Beaches after our terrible lockdown over Christmas last year.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Not sure, I really love the combination of Aide de MD and Chamber NFP, corporate management consulting

Best part of your job or most enjoyable part of your job?
The people, it’s all about the people

Most stressful part of your job?
Time pressures, ensuring I honour my commitments

Most stressful part of the Chamber?
Understanding business with a political lens

Weirdest thing that has ever happened at work?
Prepping for a meeting next to Pierce Brosnan filming James Bond at the hotel I was staying in for work in Germany or having my temperature taken as I walked into a business in Singapore in February last year,..who would have thought? Chamber: I’m still not sure how I got into this role, it wasn’t on the plan, and I ALWAYS have a plan…

What’s the best part of working on the Northern Beaches?
Love my home office, access to space and being able to “Breathe” near water

Personal

What would you rate 10/10?
My family

What is the best advice you’ve received?
Do one thing that scares you every day! (I get impatient if I’m complacent)

What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?
I received an amazing testimonial from a client I’ve worked with for the last 18 months and for the Chamber, greeting our new committee at the amazing Q Station and all being in a room together

Greatest strength?
Seeing people as they really are, not judging

Greatest weakness?
Seeing people as they really are…

Does anything scare you?
Total arachnophobia, doesn’t matter if they’re poisonous or not

What’s your most treasured possession?
My mother’s engagement ring

What’s your idea of absolute happiness?
No schedule, near surf

Which two famous people would you choose to be stuck in a lift with?
Richard Branson – big business but people first and Coco Chanel – a woman before her time

What travel experiences are on your bucket list?
I’ve travelled a lot in Asia and Europe but desperate to go to India, the Amazon and Mexico

How do you switch off?
Yoga, walking with my dog Freddy

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate but I’m over the guilt and just have it everyday

Who’s your personal hero?
Anyone who stands up for the vulnerable

If you were an animal, what would you be?
Dory, I like the innocence of a new world every day and not having a plan while swimming in beautiful clear water

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who cared about people and could see the relationship between good business and sustainability

If we could ask you one more question, what would it be and what’s your answer?
What worries me? Climate change and ignorance