About Elyss & EDL Consulting

Real experience. Practical advice. Business development support for small operators -
whatever industry you are in.

A woman sitting at a desk in front of a large forest-themed poster, with brochures, papers, and a tablet - to show potential clients what is on offer.

“Every business has a story waiting to be told. My role is helping you write the next chapter, one that is filled with measurable growth, strategic wins, and sustainable success.”

The story behind the consulting

For over 20 years, I worked in tourism sales, marketing, and operations across Australia and international markets. I was the person building distribution relationships, launching new products, managing teams through peak seasons, and solving the problems that come with actually running a business. I have worked with international wholesalers, inbound operators, and regional tourism networks. I know what it takes to get things done.

I started EDL Consulting because I wanted to give back what I had learned over two decades in the industry. Throughout my career, people constantly asked me for help. How do I get trade-ready? How do I fix my distribution? How do I actually grow without burning out? I loved helping people, but the conversations were always rushed - over coffee, at networking events, quick phone calls squeezed between meetings. I realised I could give so much more value if I could actually focus on what people needed, not just answer the quick questions they asked me. So I built EDL Consulting to do exactly that. Now when someone needs help, I can work with them properly. We can dig into the real issues, not just the surface problems. I can help them implement solutions, not just point them in a direction and hope for the best. It means I work with fewer clients, but I can actually help them get results.

What EDL means:

  • Expanding Markets – Finding new opportunities and reaching new customers

  • Developing Strategy – Creating clear paths forward that actually make sense for your business

  • Leveraging Connections – Using relationships and partnerships to open doors.

A person holding a small green plant with soil in their hands.

Who I Really Am

Industry Recognition That Speaks Volumes

My professional background is grounded in tourism, and I make no apology for that. Twenty years working inside the industry - managing operations, building distribution strategies, developing products, and representing businesses at trade level - gives me a depth of practical knowledge that translates directly to any small business. The same challenges exist everywhere: managing seasonality, building systems that scale, developing the right partnerships, and knowing when to grow and when to consolidate. The industry context changes. The fundamentals do not.

  • Board Member - NSW Tourism Association As a board member of the NSW Tourism Association, I am actively involved in shaping the direction of the visitor economy across New South Wales. This keeps me connected to the latest industry insights, policy developments, and strategic conversations at a level that directly benefits the businesses I work with.

  • Lead Judge - NSW North Coast Tourism Awards Having served as Lead Judge for the NSW North Coast Tourism Awards, I understand exactly what separates a good business from one that can demonstrate and articulate its excellence. That knowledge is just as useful for a trade business preparing for a local business award as it is for a tourism operator.

  • Experienced Judge - NSW Tourism Awards Judging the NSW Tourism Awards across multiple years has given me a detailed understanding of what judges look for, what evidence is compelling, and where most businesses fall short in their submissions.

  • Preferred Partner - ROLLER Software Selected from industry experts globally for proven expertise and results. I recommend ROLLER only when it genuinely fits a business - never as a default.

  • Active Member - Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Staying connected to Newcastle's visitor economy and the key players shaping the regional tourism sector keeps me across local developments and opportunities that can benefit businesses across the Hunter region.

  • Active Member - Business Port Stephens Connected to the local business community across Port Stephens and able to link clients with the right local resources, networks, and referrals when they need them.

Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing glasses and a black sleeveless top. She is smiling and standing in front of a plain background. The overlay text reads "NSW Tourism Awards 2025 Judge" with a blue geographic shape of New South Wales.

My Approach

Two professionals, a man and a woman, smiling and giving each other a high five in a bright office with a brick wall, large windows, and a whiteboard with charts behind them.

Partnership, Not Just Consulting

I am not here to tell you how to run your business. You know your business better than anyone. I am here to do the work with you. Some clients need me to help them create a new product offering. Others need a website rebuild, or help relaunching a service. Some need trade readiness support or distribution strategy. Others just need their operations sorted so they can stop firefighting every day. Every business I work with gets a different approach because every business is different. What stays consistent is that I actually do the work. I do not write you a strategy document and disappear. I work alongside you until the job is done.

How I Work Differently

I work with a limited number of clients at a time because I believe in doing the work properly. When you work with me, you get me. Not a junior account manager, not monthly reports about what might happen, not a strategy document that sits in a drawer. You get someone who has actually done this work for 20+ years and knows how to get results. I have helped tourism businesses create new products that generate revenue. I have helped coach companies relaunch services with agent commissions that drive bookings. I have helped businesses rebuild websites that triple their enquiries. I do not just advise. I do the work with you until it is done.

Personal Touch

Life Beyond Business: The Personal Side

I live in beautiful Port Stephens, NSW, but work with clients across Australia and internationally. When I am not helping businesses grow, you will likely find me exploring the great outdoors or plotting my next adventure.

I bring a slightly whimsical approach to business consulting because I believe growth should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Business is personal, and the best solutions often come from understanding both the numbers and the heart behind what you are building.

A woman walking on a sandy beach near the ocean with green mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky in Port Stephens NSW Australia

Ready to Write Your Next Chapter?

If you are ready for breakthrough results, want a partner who has walked the path you are considering, and are committed to reaching your next level, let us have a conversation.

This is about discovering what is truly possible when strategy meets implementation, when experience meets innovation, and when the right partnerships unlock opportunities you never knew existed.

📍 Port Stephens NSW | Australia-wide and international service.

Complete the form below or give me a call +61 418 795 676