Carolyn Creswell

Carman’s Kitchen founder, Carolyn Creswell is an inspirational leader whose success proves that you can run a multinational business, love what you do and have a genuine work-life balance.

As an 18-year-old university student, Carolyn founded Carman’s in 1992 when she bought the small muesli business she was working at for $1,000.

31 years on, Carman’s Kitchen is now Australia’s favourite muesli brand, alongside being a market leader in deliciously good for you snacks thanks to the brands consistent innovation and perusal of continuous improvement.

From humble beginnings where Carolyn used to park her tiny Daewoo alongside semi- trailers in supermarket loading docks, Carolyn’s determination and focus on producing quality products using whole foods, has seen Carman’s build a strong following in exporting to more than 30 countries globally.

Carolyn’s passion for healthy food made from real ingredients has cemented Carman’s reputation as a food brand that customers can trust thanks to the brands ethos of real food, made with real passion.

As a proud mother of four children, Carolyn understands the importance of producing nourishing foods for herself and her family and applies this to every Carman’s recipe.

Calling the Carman’s crew her “second family”, Carolyn put them at forefront of her mind when designing the new office that the business moved into in 2018. Now one of the most enviable working spaces in Australia, Carman’s HQ offers its employees access to a gym, yoga studio, sauna and massage room, free barista-made coffee and on-site chef. Carolyn has also loved extending the space to the public, via the Carman’s Kitchen Store, and other businesses, with conference facilities and meeting rooms for hire.

Carolyn’s business acumen has led to a number of accolades including the winner of 2007 Ernst & Young’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and being named the 2012 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year. She is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As Carolyn looks to the future “I’m amazed at the achievements of Carman’s thanks to our loyal consumers. The growth we’ve experienced is thanks to hard work, a talented team and a range of products that we’re really proud of and that people love to eat. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in the next thirty years!”