Matildas to back Copacabana business

Copacabana business Lavilin will have the backing of the Matildas in a new CommBank led advertising campaign.

It is one of 50 winners of the Commonwealth Bank’s CommBank Matildas on Loan competition.

Each of the 50 competition winners will receive an advertisement for their business alongside the CommBank Matildas, which will be distributed by the Commonwealth Bank via billboards, radio, and CommBank Branches, as part of a national advertising campaign.

Each winner will get a tailored campaign to promote their business within their respective communities.

Peter and Kara Schaffler heard about Lavilin in 2017 when they were on the hunt for a healthy natural deodorant which actually worked.

Lavilin was such a winner that they secured the Australian distribution rights to bring the product range to Australia.

The Schafflers said they were stoked to have the CommBank Matildas support their dream cream as part of CommBank’s advertising campaign.

“Having the best football players in the world promoting the longest lasting deodorant in the world, really is a dream come true for us,” Schaffler said.

“With Lavilin being the longest lasting deodorant in the world, we believe our customers are just like the CommBank Matildas: strong, savvy, fearless, with no tolerance for stink.”

The announcement comes as new research shows nearly 90 per cent of Australian small to medium businesses expect to continue to face challenges in 2025.

CommBank’s Small Business Banking General Manager for NSW, Shaun Stevens, said despite this, around 70 per cent of surveyed businesses felt optimistic and were planning to grow their business over the next 12 months.

“This just shows the resilience of Aussie small businesses who are incredibly brave in the face of continued economic uncertainty,” he said.

“It’s been incredible to see the overwhelming response from thousands of Aussie small businesses who entered the competition.

“We are thrilled to be able to support Lavilin in this way and I hope this campaign will create a powerful impact for them, and an unforgettable moment in their history.”

CommBank Matildas defender Charli Grant said she has friends who own a business.

“I know how much hard work goes into it; I definitely have a newfound appreciation for them,” she said.

For CommBank Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross and goalkeeper, Chloe Lincoln, there are many similarities between playing in a sporting team and owning a small business.

“You have to show up every day and we’re both under quite a lot of pressure,” Cooney-Cross said.

Lincoln said the old adage ‘slow and steady wins the race’ goes for both.

“It takes a lot of hard work, and it’ll take time as well,” she said.

“Making sure that you have that vision, and you keep working towards that goal.

“Setbacks will come but it’s how you can overcome it – little steps each day.”