Allis started Boost Juice from her home in 2000. The first Boost Juice store was located in Adelaide, South Australia, and the franchise is now in 13 countries.[2]
Apart from her directorship with Retail Zoo,[3] Allis is also a Director of Michael Hill Jeweller.[4] She is also the author of the book The Accidental Entrepreneur – The Juicy BitsISBN978-0-7303-2773-8.
Career
Allis started working at the age of 17 as a media assistant at advertising agency McCann-Erickson. She went on to do modelling as well as working as an assistant gym manager. Her early career also included roles such as a nanny in France, a promotions executive in Portugal as well as a camp counsellor in the USA. Allis has also worked as a stewardess on David Bowie's yacht, a senior manager for a Singapore cinema chain, a publicist for United International Pictures, a publisher, an author, and a touring agent for USA comedians.[2]
Allis has been an independent non-executive director at Kogan since April 2021.[5]
Retail Zoo
After her success in growing her juice business, Allis and her husband decided to diversify their operations by forming a holding company in 2007 called Retail Zoo which they use to acquire and grow other retail food chains.[6]
In 2010, the Riverside Company purchased an equity stake in Retail Zoo for an undisclosed amount with Allis remaining in charge.[10] Four years later, Riverside sold their stake to Bain Capital.[11] After the acquisition, Bain owned 70% of the company while Allis owns the rest.[12]
Television appearances
Allis appeared as a "shark" on the Australian version of the TV show Shark Tank.[13]
On 26 March 2024, Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars premiered on Channel 9 in Australia where Allis and celebrity chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay go head to head in a show where contestants pitch their food or drink related item, for a $250,000 investment from both Allis and Ramsay.
Awards
2015 Franchise Hall of Fame Inductee – MYOB FCA Excellence in Franchising Awards[16]
2015 The Australia Awards for Excellence in Women's Leadership: Victoria.[17]
2015 InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards; Business Award[18]