Women’s jobs site Freelancing Gems has been acquired by regional community and Women’s Awards program Beam in Business.
Freelancing Gems cofounders Fleur Madden and Kirsty Jackson launched the site in 2020, as Covid hit, using AI-driven matching models to connect women to their next remote, part time, freelance, contract role. The site also champions women in consulting and part-time work to get paid what they are worth, given a gender pay gap disparity of more than a third in the sector.
Madden said they’ve helped 1000 women find work, while 65% reported that they now get paid more than before they joined Freelancing Gems.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Jackson added that they talk to our members about business and career evolution and seizing opportunities, and it was the right time to explore that for Freelancing Gems too.
“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,” she said.
“We admire the work they have been doing to shine a spotlight on women’s business achievements, particularly in the regional space.”
Madden said Beam CEO Beck Smith’s passion for the advancement of women convinced them she it was the right choice to take their business to the next level.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Madden and Jackson will stay connected to Freelancing Gems until the end of the year and continue to run their business coaching and online courses for freelancers and small business owners under their sub-brand Gem Academy.
Beck Smith said the merger deal combines two great business women 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 said.
“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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