16/08/2026
Meet Samantha French, 55.
For 25 years, Sam followed her husband Matt, a soldier deployed to East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq, moving to a new town every two years and building a life from scratch each time while raising their children.
It was working at Camp Quality alongside children with cancer that first led her toward coaching, work she realised she had been doing her whole life without a name for it. With no formal education behind her, she went on to complete a Masters of Coaching, something she never thought she could do.
She named her business Blak Pearl, spelling black deliberately, after her grandfather who worked the pearl luggers before she was born. Eleven years ago she found dragon boating, the one thing in her life that has always been completely her own. Today she works in a senior leadership role at Kinaway, the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce in Victoria, while building Blak Pearl Coaching on the side, one day soon to be her full-time work.
Samantha reminds us: Just as pearls are formed from grit, sand and imperfections, so are we as people.
Wise Women Magazine 2026. Launching August 19, at The Kilburn, Hawthorn.
Follow Simply Gray and Sam to be part of the big celebration.
MUA:
28/04/2026
https://www.facebook.com/kinawayccv
Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Vic Ltd
Kinaway Chamber of Commerce is the leading Victorian organisation dedicated to supporting Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners.
30/01/2026
The past few months took an unexpected turn for me when I found myself “funemployed” — as my daughter lovingly called it. It definitely sounded better than unemployed.
I allowed myself to really sit with all the feelings: the shock, uncertainty, and sadness. Over time, those feelings shifted into excitement, opportunity, and optimism. Wellbeing for me has been about giving myself permission to feel it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly — without rushing myself through it.
Right now, wellbeing looks like stepping back from the noise of the world. It’s allowing myself to sleep in (because I can), to do nothing on some days, and on others to work like a machine on my business. It’s listening to what my body needs in this season, not what I should be doing.
Some days, wellbeing means walking away from responsibility and focusing on myself — not what my adult family needs, not the roles I’ve always carried as a matriarch, mother, aunty, grandmother, leader, and coach.
Wellbeing, for me, is learning to say no — and being comfortable with that, regardless of how it makes others feel.
What are you doing to look after yourself?
21/11/2025
I am so incredibly grateful to have been invited to be part of the First Nations Foundation Rich Blak Women series.
Watching the episode back today made me pause… and really feel proud of how far I’ve come in my business journey and my life.
What began as a side hustle has now grown into a purpose that I’m ready and excited to make my full-time hustle.
I’m truly blessed to be surrounded by the most supportive people.
To my husband, my kids, and my gorgeous friends who show up with love, humour, honesty and strength, you are all part of this journey.
Thank you for backing me always.
I feel quite vulnerable sharing this as I talk from the heart, be kind when you watch it.
If you’re looking for clarity, confidence, and growth in your own life or business, message me. I’d love to work with you and walk beside you as you rise into your next chapter.
Here’s to growth, purpose, and backing yourself. 💛✨
Rich Blak Women in Business: Samantha French
Samantha French is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman who empowers First Nations women through coaching and mentoring, helping them build co...
20/10/2025
16/01/2025