Our very first in conversation features Cass Theis, owner and managing director of Newstead Studios. A breathtaking event space and photography studio, a beautiful café, gallery and co-working office filled with some of Brisbane's most inspiring business and creative talent. We spoke with Cass about her inspirations, business highlights and and the women she surrounds herself with. Much like the beautiful space she has created, Cass radiates a desirable openness, a raw transparency to share in her hard work. 

'It’s rare these days with the pressures of social media bearing down on women to do more, be better, look less tired. True contentment radiates.'

On what Newstead Studios represents.

Newstead Studios is an architecturally designed, light-filled creative hub and event space. We want it to be a space that breathes life into the creative process – whether it be a photo shoot, event, exhibition or workspace. 

Some of her favourite sources of inspiration.

Honestly, our clients and our co-working tenants. Every single day I bask in their energy, entrepreneurship, drive and creative genius – a true privilege. It’s so important to look up and around as a business owner – great ideas and the motivation to execute them rarely abound from inward-looking.    

On her highlights in business.

We feel honoured to have welcomed some incredible people and businesses into our space over the past two years! A definite stand out was Vogue Australia and their team of world-class stylists, makeup artists, editors and photographer to shoot Billie Eilish in our studio for the July cover. We also had Gritty Pretty (a brand we admire greatly) hire the whole venue for an event in collaboration with Chanel – it was quite an amazing experience to watch these creative masters at work.

The women she surrounds herself with.

I’m a big believer in community and surround myself with women and men who respect my values, my priorities and my time. For me this is a beautiful tribe made up of family, friends, fellow mums and fellow business owners who are always, always at the ready with an open heart, open mind and open arms (and also ideally a glass of wine).

Her work soundtrack.

Currently Bon Iver and London Grammar on rotation to soothe, but also wake up, the mind and soul.

Her ideal Sunday.

Sunday is by far my favourite day of the week. After a Friday night and Saturday filled with kids sports, birthday parties and other hectic-ness, Sunday is for sleep ins, a coffee or two on the verandah (ideally with a side of pancakes) then it’s a family lock-in day of gardening, baking and cooking up a storm for the week ahead. Always to music.

And lastly, what makes a woman beautiful.

Contentment. It’s rare these days with the pressures of social media bearing down on women to do more, be better, look less tired. True contentment radiates.
Find Cass, and her beautiful Newstead Studios at 22 Ross Street, Newstead Q 4006, or follow @newsteadstudios.