Her Story

At the age of 19, Clair Jennifer created her childhood dream, a ladies clothing chain called Wombat. She started with second hand shop fittings, $2000 and was armed with great determination, which saw the business grow into a national chain of 54 highly successful, retails stores.

Clair Jennifer won in excess of 50 business awards, recognising the outstanding success within the business. Clair won the NSW Small Business Award three years in a row and took out the Young Australian of the Year in 1992.

Wombat ranked in the top 25 women-owned businesses and in 2001 was ranked in BRW as the 42nd fastest growing company in Australia. In 2001, she was awarded the Ernst & Young Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Clair was inducted into the Australian Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame and made BRW’s Young Rich List in 2004. During the course of business, Clair took on Time Warner International, a multinational mogul, to fight for the intellectual property rights for the Harry Potter trademark she used on the clothing in the Wombat stores, and won.

In 2004, as many entrepreneurs dream to, Clair sold the business.

Clair has run several other successful business projects since her first major success, Wombat. She is CEO of a group of private companies and is also an inspiring mentor and business advisor. Clair is a mentor who inspires, leads, challenges and proves that self-motivation, focus and determination can conquer over limited financial resources, minimal business training and experience.

Strategies for Success

1. Follow your passion.
2. Get clarity, make a plan, and write checklists.
3. Invest in your people management.
4. Keep up with the times.
5. Keep focused, motivated and remains positive at all times.