International Women's Day with The Block's Deb Saunders

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we caught up with Deb - one of the most kindest and inspirational women we know

Deb one half of the talented duo Andy and Deb from Block fame in 2019. Here at The Block Shop, we all admire Deb's generosity and kind heart! Read on to hear more about the strong women influencers in Deb's life and her greatest achievements so far...

"International Women's Day means celebrating all women, their many talents and their strengths. " Deb tells Insider Style.

In Australia what does International Women's Day mean to you?

International women's day is a celebration of women's achievements throughout history. 

When I think of the Aussie women that I know, I think of loving supportive friends and relatives. I think of strength and determination. I am so lucky to know so many incredible women who are inspirations to me for many reasons. I've seen incredible strength when things are really tough and women who've had to hold it all together whilst going through incredibly difficult times including my Mum and Sister when cancer touched both of their lives. International Women's Day means celebrating all women, their many talents and their strengths. 

"They are really good humans, and they have good hearts. What more could parents want?" Deb tells Insider Style.


What are you most proud of?

I'm very proud of my family.  I have smart, kind, considerate, determined, fair and open-minded kids. They are also talented. I have two amazing young women and two incredible young men who surprise me daily. They are healthy and happy and I'm truly so grateful for that. I’m proud of my husband Andy and the way he steps up for us over and over again. He is a true role model who loves us and always puts his family first. 

Who are your female entrepreneur role models?

Oh, I know so many but I would have to say my sisters who I run my business with. The business was started as something we could all do together after my middle sister Cal's husband Bren passed away at just 45. It was a very difficult time and it brought us all closer together. My sister Cal was suddenly raising her twins alone and looking at going back into the workforce so we got talking and decided the three of us wanted to work together. We thought our own business would be more flexible, and it is! We have grown it into a great little business and a place that is joyful to be. 

Deb owns and runs a fashion and homewares store, The Shed Luxe with her sisters Cal and Sue on the mid-north coast of NSW.

Another entrepreneur I admire is our friend and fellow Wallabi Point local Jada Stanley who makes beautiful surfboards. Jada, a Mum of 3 small children worked really hard to grow her business Nusah Indah and has collaborated with many incredible people including creating a range of surfboards for American Vogue.  

Anyone in your life you feel like you need to mention for being a strong influence?

My Mum, she was incredible. So funny she could make me laugh until I cried. She had so much pride and trust in my two sisters and myself. She was so good at making me feel supported but capable. Mum was not a helicopter parent and she let us work things out for ourselves. If we got things wrong occasionally, and I definitely did, that was okay too. She expected nothing more from me than to be my authentic and true self. This made me trust in who I was, taught me to be curious, to back myself and try new things. This was such a gift that I never really understood until I was more mature. Mum was happiest if she knew we were all happy. She was completely selfless. Our Mum passed away a few months ago which has been so hard but the incredible memories and life lessons she left us with will be cherished forever.


Andy's mum "is a strong indigenous woman. Pam is gentle and kind and has a beautiful calm and caring nature." We think Pam also won out getting Deb as a daughter in law!

Another strong woman in my life is Pam who is Andy's Mum. She raised beautiful strong children including my husband. If I could work out exactly what she did to make him the man he is I would bottle it but I think it's a million big and small things Pam did that contributed to making him such an incredible husband, father and person. She is a strong indigenous woman. Pam is gentle and kind and has a beautiful calm and caring nature. 

I'm surrounded by kind, talented and beautiful women. Many of whom pulled together to help take care of our family and business while we were on The Block, making it all run smoothly at home allowed us to be on the show. We couldn’t have done it without our support at home. 


"I believe I was destined to meet these three incredible ladies even if it meant we had to renovate a huge house, in record time, on no sleep while completely stressed to do so!"


Three more women who I respect and admire are my fellow Block Heads Tess, Elise and Mel. These ladies showed strength and determination that inspired me daily during The Block and they were kind and caring even when they were completely exhausted and stressed out. This is not what one would usually expect from women who were supposed to be ”competitors”. They never felt like my competition during the show. They lifted me up when I needed it and had my back always. I'm truly grateful for the constant love and support they gave me and continue to give me. I believe I was destined to meet these three incredible ladies even if it meant we had to renovate a huge house, in record time, on no sleep while completely stressed to do so! 

Keep an eye on this family - they are going places. Andy and Deb open up to Insider Style about their gorgeous blended family, and how they became foster parents to their two eldest children HERE

For more watch, this video Deb kindly recorded for The Block Shop:



Take a tour through Deb's divine real-life home HERE  

View Deb and Andy's completed Block rooms HERE