Stephanie Whitaker is the co-owner of stock and station agency, Burnett Livestock & Realty. With her husband, she works to create markets for vendors and buyers of livestock and rural property. After five years and a national and state award to boot, Stephanie has emerged as one of the faces of the business. But success has not come without challenges and hard work. As a businesswoman based in a regional community and working in a male-dominated industry, the obstacles have been numerous. Stephanie’s biggest challenge initially was to build her profile as a professional with knowledge and integrity. She has found that, for rural areas in particular, you have to prove your ability and long-term commitment in order to build a strong business base within the community.
With the help of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, Stephanie has grown her business further.
The ABN has provided her with information, professional development and broader network opportunities. Stephanie’s profile in the ABN’s member directory has also helped build her and her business’ profile on the web. One of the challenges of working from a remote area is reaching out beyond the community.
“Sometimes in rural Australia, it is easy to start living and working in a silo,” she says.
Stephanie’s partnership with the ABN has kept her stimulated and dynamic by connecting her to information and networks that are helpful and challenging at the same time. To counter the distance barrier in the day-to-day running of the business, Stephanie relies on wireless networks to convey information between her residence, the saleyards and her office in town. Technology has been crucial to her business operations and has allowed her to balance work and family as a mother of two young children. Stephanie’s key communication strategy is a fortnightly newsletter, through which she shares information about markets, industry changes and professional development opportunities with her clients. She is involved in networks at all levels, including Australian Women in Agriculture. Stephanie encourages women who are just starting their own business in a regional or remote community to find a mentor to help them through the process. She also advises connecting to a network and adapting strategy to apply to your business.
Stephanie Whitaker was interviewed as part of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s ‘Beyond the City’ initiative, which highlights the achievements of women in regional and rural Australia. You can read more profiles here. And, for more information on you can connect, learn and grow, regardless of your location, learn more about the benefits of membership.
