From motorbikes to magnolias — The Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame honours top female business owners
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, on Tuesday 25 February, HerBusiness launches its 2014 Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame recognising the achievements of 17 female entrepreneurs from industries as diverse as food, finance, motorbikes and education. Each year, the Hall of Fame honours and celebrates Australian female business owners who have been exemplary in their industries, are trailblazers and demonstrate inspiring and aspiring business journeys. HerBusiness CEO Suzi Dafnis said, “The HerBusiness Hall of Fame recognises the notable achievements of Australia’s stand out female business owners. Across the board, female entrepreneurs don’t receive as much recognition as their corporate counterparts, not to mention their male peers.”
“The women in our Hall of Fame this year were chosen because of their remarkable success and because they are all excellent role models to other aspiring female business owners.”
“Of the two million people in Australia who own or operate a business, 33 per cent are women aged between 35 and 44, according to research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. But the lower numbers don’t reflect the impact these businesses have on the country’s wealth. Sadly, we just don’t see public recognition of their success.” “The Hall of Fame has been running since 1998 and we never fail to find more than enough women to celebrate. It’s an important program to ensure these successful women are given a stage and honoured for their contribution to the economy and the business community,” said Ms Dafnis. The inductees of the 2014 Hall of Fame are not all high profile businesswomen. Many are emerging entrepreneurs of small businesses or champions of the community sector.
“The Hall of Fame aims to celebrate successful female business owners through sharing their stories, to inspire and empower other female entrepreneurs,” added Ms Dafnis.
The 2014 Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame inductees are:
- Maggie Beer, Maggie Beer Products
- Liz Davenport, Liz Davenport
- Dr Catriona Wallace, Fifth Quadrant
- Kristina Karlsson, kikki.K
- Tammy May, MyBudget
- Barbara Etter, BEtter Consulting
- Lisa McGuigan, Lisa McGuigan Wines
- Saskia Havekes, Grandiflora
- Chandra Clements, One Legacy
- Helen Summers, Helen Summers Optometrist
- Eve Mahlab, Australian Women Donors Network
- Carol Schwartz, Trawalla Foundation
- Sam Sheppard, The Buildmore Group
- Viv White, Big Picture Education
- Sonja Cameron, Cameron’s Nursery
- Robbie Sefton, Sefton & Associates
- Christine Kris Macauley of Robbo’s Motorcycles
The 2014 inductees join over 150 other women HerBusiness has previously recognised as outstanding female business leaders. Some of these women include June Dally-Watkins, Collette Dinnigan, Janine Allis, Lorna Jane Clarkson, Carolyn Creswell, Sue Ismiel, Jane Cay, Ronni Kahn and Naomi Simson. For more information and to learn about the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees, click here. Here are some of 2014 Hall of Fame inductee’s strategies for business success:
- Be resilient – Dr Catriona Wallace of Fifth Quadrant, Flamingo and ACA Research, says, “Embrace failure, embrace criticism, keep getting back up and just do it.”
- Define your values – Tammy May of MyBudget, says, “Define your values and let them guide all of your strategies. Your core values should act as pillars and assist with decision-making and problem solving from the top down.”
- Build a great team – Lisa McGuigan of Lisa McGuigan Wines, says, “Surround yourself with people who are smarter then you. They aren’t a threat because a collaboration of experts in their field will create a better overall outcome for you.”
- Follow your passion – Kristina Karlsson of kikki.K, says, “Do something you’re truly passionate about. If you have a real passion for what you do in your business life, you will always inherently enjoy it.”
- Treat others with respect – Chandra Clements of One Legacy, says, “People always remember how you made them feel well before they remember your name or your role. Make people feel worthwhile and help change the world.”
