In the lead up to International Women’s Day, on Monday 4 March 2013, HerBusiness launches its 2013 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of 18 female business owners from industries as diverse as breakfast foods, fashion and construction and honours and celebrates those Australian female business owners who have been exemplary in their industries, are trailblazers and demonstrate inspiring and aspiring business journeys.
“The Hall of Fame was initiated to inspire Australian women with stories of individual success from high-achieving peers. The women we profile serve as role models and mentors for women in all business sectors, encouraging them to realise their business goals,” said HerBusiness CEO Suzi Dafnis.
Australia is experiencing a growth in the number of female business owners.
According to a recent report issued by AWCCI research suggests the number of women starting their own businesses has doubled since 2007 and there are currently around 1 million women trading in Australia. “Over the years I’ve really seen women come into their own as business owners. Their level of ingenuity, creativity and spirit is inspiring. I really believe the biggest change factor has been technology. The changes in technology over the past 10 years have really enabled women-lead flexible, innovative and globally-competitive businesses.” “All of the women in our 2013 Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame have used technology in some way to help their business. Technology has enabled them to start and build their businesses regardless of three elements that could have once been barriers ‑ family responsibilities, geographic location or operating from home. Because of technology these things are no longer barriers for women entrepreneurs,” said Dafnis. The inductees of the 2013 Hall of Fame are not all high profile businesswomen. Many are emerging entrepreneurs of small businesses or champions of the community sector.
“It is our desire that the quiet achievers, as well as the public faces of Australian business are recognised for their continued persistence in the achievement of success,” said Dafnis.
The 2013 Hall of Fame inductees include: Annie Crawford of Can Too, Carolyn Cresswell of Carman’s Muesli, Chris Cameron of Rockcote, Gillian Corban and Amanda Blair of Corban & Blair, Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke of Sass & Bide, Jacqueline Arias of Republica Coffee, Jane Cay of birdsnest.com.au, Janine Allis of Boost Juice, Kris Lloyd of Woodside Cheese Wrights, Lorna Jane Clarkson of Lorna Jane Activewear, Naomi Simpson of RedBalloon, Ronni Khan of OzHarvest, Shelley Barrett of ModelCo, Trinette Schipkie of BTB Group, Melinda Cruz of Miracle Babies Foundation and Wendy Simpson of Springboard.
“What these women have achieved and their business stories are truly inspirational to anyone in business or thinking of starting one,” said Dafnis.
The Hall of Fame has been running since 1998 and these new inductees join 150 other women HerBusiness has previously recognised as outstanding female business leaders. Some of these women include June Dally-Watkins, Collette Dinnigan, Sue Ismiel, founder of Nad’s, Amanda Briskin, founder of Mimco, Ulrike Klein, co-founder of Jurlique International and Suzanne McGowan, co-founder of Fastway Couriers.
Editor’s note The Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame 2013 top five strategies for business success:
- Business is about relationships. Annie Crawford of Can Too says, “Understand that business is about people and human relationships – look after people and success follows.”
- Have a vision. Carolyn Cresswell of Carman’s Muesli says, “Have a crystal clear vision of where your business is heading and refer to it every day when decision-making.”
- Be flexible. Jane Cay of Birdsnest.com.au says, “Be flexible. Embrace all things new and adapt if circumstances change.”
- Find good people. Shelley Barrett of ModelCo says, “Your business is only as good as your team. Look for enthusiastic staff members who can bring skills that complement your own. Leaders with the ability to listen to feedback from other employees and customers are also crucial as it keeps a service, product or brand fresh, innovative and ahead of its competitors.”
- Be a leader. Jacqueline Arias of Republica Coffee says, “Break barriers, be a leader not a follower: Identify who plays in the space, how they do it, then change the game by raising the bar and doing it differently.”
