Saltwater Kiama owner Gülçin Töpel has been named the national winner in the café category of the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards– and the community she credits for her success has been quick to celebrate with her.

When The Bugle met Töpel this week, customers congratulated her from across their tables. The flow of handshakes, hugs and well-wishes made one thing clear: Töpel isn’t just a business owner in Kiama – she’s a familiar face everyone seems to know.

“It was not easy, to be honest,” Töpel said.

Töpel's reaction when announced winner

Töpel moved to Kiama from Sydney with her husband Tolga Gürel in 2020 and bought the café the following year.

She grew up in Turkey, raised by her grandparents, and traces her hospitality instincts back to them.

“You know old people always look after, always giving. Maybe it comes from that side. I’m so glad they raised me up,” she said.

Before relocating, she worked in Sydney’s hospitality scene but felt the culture didn’t align with her values.

“They were a bit hungry for money. They don’t respect what we were doing or how the system works,” she said.

“I didn’t like how they treated people, so I made my decision and thought I’m not making any money for them. I’ll go somewhere else, try my own business and put in my effort and love.”

“Money may help a business grow, but money is not everything,” she said. “If you don’t have a great heart, you can’t do anything.”

Gürel was the one who pushed for a fresh start – right when she was pregnant and unsure about leaving everything behind.

“I was scared, and I was pregnant at the time,” she said.

“I thought, ‘If I’m going to lose my job, what am I going to do?’ But my husband, he’s a very brave man and he said, ‘Okay, let’s go; let’s see what will happen.’”

When they arrived in Kiama, something instantly felt familiar. “I’ve always grown up very close to the community where everyone knows each other,” she said.

“Kiama looks like my childhood area, to be honest. That’s why I ended up here. I’m so happy.”

That sense of community quickly became the backbone of Saltwater’s survival – especially in its early days.

“I came here when they first opened,” a regular joked, “we used to put $20 bills under the salt and pepper shakers to help them out a bit.”

“We didn’t know how they got there,” Töpel laughed.

“I was lucky because COVID made people get to know each other,” she said.

“People said ‘Oh, you’re going to lose the business,’ but it’s always good to try, and I’m not that kind of person to give up. I just push and push and push.”

Years later, she says the timing, the effort and the trust of locals have all come full circle.

Töpel previously managed restaurants and retail businesses across Darling Harbour, Paddington and Chippendale, though her background is actually in logistics.

But Saltwater, she said, is where everything clicked — because Kiama made space for her.

“Kiama community helped me a lot. They noticed who I am, where I’m coming from, and then they recognised me and what I could do,” she said.

Gulcin Töpel in Saltwater Kiama. Photo: The Bugle

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald also praised the achievement.

“We congratulate Saltwater Café on winning the Women’s Small Business Champion Award. This success is a proud moment for Kiama and an inspiration for women-led businesses across our region,” he said.

“Gülçin has been a great supporter of many community initiatives and we are thrilled that she has received this outstanding recognition.”

Töpel keeps the same philosophy with her staff and customers.

“We’re all human. Today you’re a customer or a worker — it doesn’t matter. We have to help each other, that’s it,” she said.

“I don’t call myself boss, to be honest. I don’t like it. I’m a good leader. I’m holding lots of things: food, businesses, community.”

She says a key to their business is listening closely to her customers.

“They bring us ideas. We don’t see what we’re missing, but others will answer and say, ‘Hey, what about this?’”

Saltwater’s most popular dish is the Blue Oscar, though Töpel’s favourite is the Saltwater Basket.

“I know, not very healthy — all fried, all the butter — but it’s so yum,” she laughed.

After years of determination, risk and resilience, Töpel said the award is a dream — but it also comes with a responsibility to keep lifting the standard.

“We’re all here to make your life easier, and you’re going to make our life easier too,” she said.

“We’re all just having fun.”