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One of the many benefits of being your own boss is that you can use your business as a platform to raise awareness about social issues – assuming that you can withstand the controversy. A Melbourne business owner is doing just that, and creating quite a stir.

According to the Telegraph, Alex O’Brien who co-owns the Handsome Her eatery, is taking a stand against the country’s significant gender wage gap. She’s doing this by levying an 18 per cent “man tax” on her male customers, and also she’s giving her female customers seating priority.

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All of this comes in the wake of a recent government report warning that Australian women faced another 50 years of pay inequality “unless significant changes are made.”

How to change? This business owner figures that making men pay more at her business is a start.

“If people aren’t comfortable paying it or if men don’t want to pay it, we’re not going to kick them out the door.” O’Brien told Australia’s Channel Seven. “It’s just a good opportunity to do some good.”