I used to go to Utopia back many years ago but stopped because the service was poor, the prices for the haircuts were ridiculous and, whilst the overall quality of the haircuts were good, the price paid just defeated the purpose really.

They offer many different hair and beauty treatments for whatever your desires may be, just expect to pay through the roof for it.

I really wasn't that happy with the personality and service of some of the hairdressers there and haven't been back since. Things may have changed now, but I'm happy at my current hairdressers and would be reluctant to return to Utopia.

Speaky's has been on the Geelong scene for well over 10 years now, selling primarily surfing and skating wear.

They stock surf and skate clothing, skateboards, surfboards, accessories and also some snow sports goods such as snowboards, etc.

Basically if you are into surf, skate or extreme sports then Speaky's stocks the goods for you.

The prices can run a little expensive, but the goods on sale are usually very high quality, reliable and durable.

Speaky's is located in the heart of downtown Geelong, amongst all the major buildings.

Located just off the main highway running through the town of Colac, Viper Fitness Solutions is at the forefront of innovation in the fitness and gymnasium area.

Viper Fitness stores all the latest gym equipment, with professional staff to help train you up and teach you how to use the equipment properly.

Being in a fairly small country town, Viper Fitness is not yet open 24/7. Please bear in mind it is closed on Sundays.

Viper Fitness also stocks a wide range of health supplements such as vitamins, protein powders, energy bars and gels, etc.

As mentioned, there are professional staff to help oversee everyone's quest to gain fitness.

Viper also offers an extensive range of aerobics and exercise classes to get your heart pumping.

They also have squash and racquetball courts available as well.

Yearly or shorter-term memberships come at reasonable prices.

Formerly known as "Mexican Graffiti", The Mex has been an institution in Ocean Grove for more than 20 years now.

Whilst it is located slightly out of town, on the corner of Grubb Road and Shell Road, The Mex has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Whilst the menu contains a lot of standard Mexican fare - burritos, nachos, fajitas, enchiladas, etc., it also has other things such as steak, ribs, etc.

I personally usually eat Mexican dishes when I'm at The Mex and I must say the quality of the food is top-notch whenever I'm there. It has been that way the whole time I've known the restaurant.

The service was top notch back in the 1990s, but has slackened considerably in the past 15 years or so.

The prices are reasonable, but I wouldn't say they are cheap.

The restaurant also has a bar where people can sit either prior to their meal or simply stay there for a cooling ale. They don't even have to order from the restaurant.

There are stools and high tables in the bar section too, to order a snack with your drinks.

There is also a covered outdoor section which goes well on a warm summer's night.

Approximate cost: $22

Max Blake Media is a media company started by Max Blake in early 2013.

The company mainly deals with local sporting broadcasts, and at this stage runs radio shows on the OCR FM radio station in Colac, Victoria.

Max Blake Media can host media programs and run media-based businesses.

The website has been started up to showcase the business to advertisers and consumers alike.

Max Blake Media has begun operating in the Geelong, Victoria area currently but is looking to branch out.

Prices charged for advertising are extremely reasonable and dealing with Max Blake himself is a very easy, fruitful relationship.

Located at the back of the main street in Ocean Grove, "Baker's Delight" has been an institution in the local community for over 10 years now.

Probably their main competition now comes from the Coles outlet just a couple of doors down and the Woolworths outlet, located in a different part of Ocean Grove.

The baked products at "Baker's Delight" are good quality. The bread and rolls are baked fresh each day and they do a variety of other products such as specialised bread and sweets.

The prices can be a little steep, especially when compared to what you'd pay for bakery products in Coles or Woolworths, but when you get products baked fresh and of top quality, then you probably expect to get what you pay for.

"Baker's Delight" in Ocean Grove is a great store with friendly staff. Probably the only real knock for me is the expensive prices.

"The Dunes" restaurant takes advantage of the perfect location, right on the beach with beautiful sweeping views of the ocean.

The food and drinks are quite good quality, but you do pay for it here. Nothing comes cheap at this restaurant.

The ambiance is quite good, the place can feel quite cozy all year round.

The chairs and tables are quite okay, and the overall set up is good.

I generally go there for snacks such as cakes and slices with a milkshake. It's not often I have a meal there, but when I do, as I said, the quality is good.

Prices ideally could be lower, but if they are putting in top notch ingredients into their dishes they may not be able to make it too much cheaper.

Approximate cost: $25

"Sold Out Productions" is an artist management and booking agency for musicians in the Geelong area.

Formed by local music buff and community radio presenter Robbie Carroll, the company specialises in managing local artists and putting together gigs/concert tours in Geelong and surrounding areas.

"Sold Out Productions" currently has a monthly gig going on at the Ocean Grove Hotel, whilst over the summer of 2012-13 the company was responsible for putting on the "CoastWave" and "PierWave" music tours in the Geelong and Surf Coast area. Those concerts were deemed massive successes.

Created by keen local musicians Roy and Dean, "GreenMan Rehearsal Studios" was formed to bring a top-quality recording space to the Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula.

It was created as an alternative for local bands to record material rather than having to go up the highway to Melbourne and pay large amounts to record works.

"GreenMan" has all the tools needed to record a modern masterpiece.

Located in the Ocean Grove industrial estate, just off Grubb Road.

Bookworld.com.au is the future for book stores, with more and more bricks and mortar book shops closing down and more online ones cropping up.

The benefits of Bookworld are that they offer a massive range of new release and older (not too far back into the past) books from all around the world at quite reasonable prices.

They also have special discounted prices if you are a member of their website, which costs nothing, you simply have to sign up to get regular promotional emails from Bookworld.

Postage is free all around Australia, and when you compare the value of the books to those on other sites Bookworld comes out top of the tree.

Bookworld is increasingly offering e-books as they become more popular as well, and Bookworld is offering them at a reasonable price as well.

Book accessories such as e-readers and the like are also offered by Bookworld, a comprehensive online book store that is definitely the way of the future for all things books and reading.