Rockhampton-based Beam in Business, the company behind the diversity, excellence and growth oriented Beam Awards, has acquired the membership and platform of national women's jobs site Freelancing Gems for an undisclosed sum.
Freelancing Gems was co-founded by Fleur Madden and Kirsty Jackson in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, connecting women to their next remote, part time, freelance or contract roles using matching models powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Their site also champions women in consulting or part-time work to get paid what they are worth, with reports stating women in consulting are paid up to 38 per cent less than their male counterparts.
Madden says the company, headquartered in Brisbane but with members all over the country, has helped more than a thousand women find work, with 65 per cent of members on the platform now getting paid more than they did before.
"We are very proud of the impact our business has had in supporting women to find work across Australia, and close the gender pay gap in this space," says Madden.
"As well we have been active in supporting charities that are impacted by the effects of women not having access to suitable work, equitable pay and lack of super.
"We have also run a successful refugee program to open doors up, that gives these women a great start at a new life in Australia – we achieved what our mission was when we started, so it was time to look at what was the next chapter."
Madden and Jackson will retain control of the Gem brand and continue to run their business coaching and online courses for freelancers and small business owners, under their sub brand Gem Academy. They will however stay connected to the membership business for the rest of 2024 as it transitions to Beam's branding.
"We always talk to our members about business and career evolution and seizing opportunities, and the time was right for us to explore that for Freelancing Gems," says Jackson.
"We have always believed that we are stronger together in the women’s community space and Beam was one of the companies we have had a long relationship with.
"We admire the work they have been doing to shine a spotlight on women’s business achievements, particularly in the regional space."
Madden says the duo was drawn to the passion of Beam in Business CEO Beck Smith to advance women.
Smith says she is delighted by the opportunity to take over the Freelancing Gems membership business, describing the deal as significant in joining two great businesswomen communities.
"I started Beam in Business at a similar time to Freelancing Gems and we have both been on the same mission supporting business women, just in different ways - me with the Beam Awards and magazine and Freelancing Gems through their membership, jobs and education," she says.
"The opportunity to bring their members across to Beam is a natural fit and an honour for me to continue the incredible work Fleur and Kirsty have done advocating for women in business – it feels like a match made in business heaven."
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