Aneta Pazeski was poolside in Phuket, Thailand, engrossed in Richard Branson’s biography, when she realised it was about time to return to her hotel room and wake her sleeping husband.
Just three minutes later, a tsunami struck the island’s west coast.
Had she not returned to the hotel room, she may not have survived her holiday.
“I was minutes away from the first wave hitting me. It was just destiny that my husband asked me to wake him up,” she said.
Ms Pazeski describes the escape 12 years ago as her “ah-ha” moment.
“It made me realign my values.”
Realising a dream
Upon returning home safe and alive, the accountant was inspired to act on a long-held dream of a career in the fashion industry.
After-hours, she started designing couture wedding gowns, but soon the “hobby” developed into a successful business.
It didn’t take long before the business was providing a full-time career in the bridal industry.
The arrival of Ms Pazeski’s second child prompted her to relaunch her Cairnlea business as Bridesmaids Dressing Room to cater for the growing demand for ready-to-wear bridesmaids’ dresses.
This month, Ms Pazeski received further proof the decision was a good one.
The mother-of-three’s business was named winner of the Australian Bridal Industry Academy’s ‘best bridesmaid gown supplier’ award. It was the third time in consecutive years her business has won the award.
