“Eight years on, we’re still living in our home, and 11 years later, I’m still with the same company.”
Stef returned to the South Coast after spending time overseas with her husband, working in both Hong Kong and New Zealand. During their time abroad, they also welcomed their second daughter. While their time overseas was exciting, they were drawn to come back home, to the familiarity of the South Coast to finally set down some roots.
Upon returning, Stef worked part-time to fit in with her young family and business. She came across a employment ad for a local building company seeking casual employees and saw it as the perfect opportunity to re-enter the workforce. Recognising the potential for growth, she decided to take the first step toward building a career of her own.
At the time, Adam Sturt was the sole owner of the business, and Stef became only his second employee when she joined the team 11 years ago. She started out working in Accounts just one day a week, gradually increasing her hours and responsibilities as her home life allowed. As the company grew, so did Stef’s role. Now, with over 25 staff members, her responsibilities have expanded to include Human Resources, Payroll, reporting functions, and some meeting management.
“I did school hours for a while, and Adam was so supportive,” Stef recalls.
Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges how much she has grown, both personally and professionally. “I was a very timid and shy person, but I’ve come so far with the company. I used to take everything personally, but after the behavioural training we’ve undertaken, I now understand that feedback is constructive, not a criticism. I’ve definitely gained confidence. I never used to speak up, but now I do.”
When Stef first joined Hotondo Homes South Coast, she had no aspirations to build her own home. With two small children, life was already full. However, just three years later, that changed.
At the time, they were living in a granny flat on Stef’s parents’ property. Initially, they planned to build a home with Hotondo purely as an investment. “It was a breeze because I approached it as an investment,” she says. “The whole process was really smooth.”
But as the build progressed, their perspective shifted. “Once the house started taking shape, we realised it was too nice to rent out to someone else. We changed our minds and decided to move in instead.”
Their daughters were thrilled as it meant having their own bedrooms and a shared bathroom, plus a big pond and a park just across the way to explore as they grew. Looking back, Stef is certain they made the right decision. “Eight years on, we’re still living in our home, and 11 years later, I’m still with the same company.”
Stef loves her life on the South Coast. She and her husband have a shared passion for racehorses and take them to the beach in the mornings as part of their routine. “I’m not naturally an early morning person,” she admits, “but once you’re there, watching the sun rise over Point Perpendicular, it never gets old. The waves, the horses, the sand, it’s just beautiful.”
She also takes comfort in the stability they’ve found. “With both of us in permanent roles, it’s kept us here. We feel secure, and that’s why we’ve stayed.”
For Stef, home isn’t just about the house they built, it’s about the career she’s nurtured, and the life she and her family have built together on the South Coast.
