An “original original” Jessica Norton (class of 2009) was one of only a handful of students who attended St Mary’s College, Hobart all the way from kindergarten to year twelve.
Named a “rising star” by the Tasmanian Times and appearing on the cover of both the Yellow Pages and White Pages of Hobart in 2015, Jessica rose to fame when she decided to turn a university assignment for a Bachelor of Visual Communications (UTas) into a business.
Her award winning business Eat Safe Live Well (ESLW) helps people with food allergies to locate restaurants who cater to special dietary needs.
Jessica has struggled with severe allergies all her life, and has also been diagnosed with celiac disease.
In ESLW Jessica combined a passion for good food with expertise in design to help people struggling with food intolerances.
Jessica says that she remembers St Mary’s old motto, “one pace beyond”:
“I think that definitely helped me, just pushing myself. With my allergies [and illness] I could just sit around and feel sorry for myself, but I decided to try and help other people.
“This is something I got from school–helping other people. That, and a sense of community,” Jessica said.
The ESLW community is rapidly expanding and with sponsorship from St Luke’s Health in 2015, Jessica developed ESLW into an iPhone App, listing over fifty Tasmanian businesses.
Jessica now travels across the state giving talks and demonstrations at schools, including her alma mater.
Jessica hopes to develop her business Tasmania-wide, and even a “step beyond”.
“Essentially keep providing education and resources and having lot of fun along the way,” she said.