After nearly three decades in the insurance sector, Pam Howarth made a bold career pivot, swapping boardrooms for bar tables and spreadsheets for soul-filled jazz nights. As the owner and operator of Queenies at Kingston, Pam has built a warm, welcoming space known for its 100% gluten-free menu, live music and genuine community spirit. With the opening of her second venue, Eve by Queenies, she continues to create memorable experiences rooted in connection, inclusivity and good food shared among friends.

Tell us about your organisation, how long you have been there and your role within it.

I purchased Queenies at Kingston in June 2023 and remain its sole Owner and Operator. Queenies is a restaurant and bar, with a 100% gluten-free kitchen, proudly supporting live jazz and blues music (not too loud) from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

I am delighted to announce our second venue, a boutique events space, Eve by Queenies opened this month. Located at 34 Giles Street in Kingston, Eve is the perfect space for your upcoming event for between 20 and 70 people. Like Queenies, Eve’s kitchen is 100% gluten-free.

Can you share your career journey so far and how it brought you to your current role?

Like many people, I had some experience waiting, behind the bar and as a dishy, but Queenies is my first Restaurant Operator role. Prior to Queenies, I spent 27 years in the insurance sector and am very grateful to the many (and varied) opportunities that industry provided.

It has surprised me how many of the skills I developed in my previous career have translated to hospitality, particularly the confidence to engage with customers and the ability to manage risks across a business.

What do you consider to be your key strengths?

I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, meeting new customers and catching up with existing ones. Many of my customers (in both insurance and hospitality) have become friends.

When I look at the successful venues just in the old Kingston area, the owners are present and engaged with customers and staff. That is the kind of owner I want to continue to be.

I am curious and look for unique opportunities. These are sometimes difficult and/or expensive to execute, but, in my opinion, worthwhile. Making the decision to create a 100% gluten-free kitchen in August 2023 involved research, customer feedback and staff engagement. We identified significant risks associated with the change and decided, as a management team, that we would go ahead.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women in business?

Seek out your workplace sisters and support each other. Find time to connect and maintain that network. My own network has pulled me through some very challenging times, particularly during my years in the insurance sector. Having a group of supportive women who understood the workplace context and had themselves overcome barriers made a real difference.

I have had the honour of meeting Virginia Haussegger a few times and find her fight for gender equality inspiring. Gender bias remains a real issue in the workplace, and I wish that I had spoken up more when I experienced this behaviour. It isn’t always direct or obvious, so trust your instincts and be brave. We stand with you.

Find the right employer. Having worked in businesses that are unapologetically misogynistic to organisations that truly value diversity, I recommend finding a workplace that shares your personal values. Your contribution matters! Know the value that you bring to an organisation and have the confidence to make the choice that will help you to be successful.

What strategies do you use to stay motivated at work?

I am really proud of my team, who bring so much positive energy to the business every day. You can feel it when you walk into Queenies. It’s a great atmosphere.

Bringing a restaurant offering that is safe for the Coeliac community has been far more rewarding than I ever anticipated. Customers have appreciated the fact that they can eat any of the dishes and not worry about becoming sick (or worse) afterwards.

I am constantly looking for new challenges, gaps in the market and opportunities to continue to build the business.

Owning your own business is a lot of work, but when you love what you do, it’s easy to stay motivated.

What methods do you use to unwind from work?

Checking out new restaurants and bars (of course), walking the dog and catching up with friends and family. Currently booking a holiday!

Queenies at Kingston

• E: [email protected]
• T: 02 6174 4096
• W: queeniesatkingston.com.au
• Instagram: @queeniesatkingson #queeniesatkingston

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