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From Shoes to Social Enterprise, Fashion to Farmers Markets – The Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame honours Australia’s top female business trailblazers.

The Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame recognises a prestigious collective of quiet achievers, high profile industry leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and champions of the community and NFP sectors.

“The collective influence that women entrepreneurs have on business in Australia has never been as cohesive and prominent as it is now,” said Suzi Dafnis, CEO of HerBusiness. “The women inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame are incredibly inspiring with stories of determination and passion that have set them on paths to success — paths that often have quite a few big bumps along the way.”

“Being a business owner is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging, experiences a woman can have. The Hall of Fame shines a light on Australia’s most talented women entrepreneurs and shares their authentic — stories that inspire other women to be bold and confident in business — even when the going gets rough or they lose their mojo. Successful women inspire other women to strive for success,” said Dafnis.

The entrepreneurs inducted into the Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame stem from industries as diverse as health and beauty to agriculture and farming, construction and mining to fashion and homewares. They include both established and emerging business owners and champions of the not-for-profit and burgeoning social enterprise sectors.

“The HerBusiness Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame celebrates the extraordinary achievements of stand-out Australian business owners. The stories behind their success help build confidence in small business owners everywhere. And confidence is an essential element to business growth,” said Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and former Hall of Fame Selection Panel member. “I congratulate each and every inductee on this well-deserved recognition.”

Every year the Hall of Fame inductees are asked to share their business story and success secrets. Some of this year’s keys to success include:

  • Overcome fear and take calculated risks as a catalyst for change in business 

“Investing in cloud systems as early as we did was a brave decision and we followed our gut instincts as entrepreneurs. When your business is moving fast it’s important to trust yourself and not stall your progress with paralysis by analysis.” — Kelly Baker-Jamieson, founder, Edible Blooms

  • Never underestimate your impact, accomplishments and abilities – don’t fall victim to the Imposter Syndrome

“The key is to embrace the evidence, have the courage to lead where others follow, and to enjoy the journey for what it is.” — Kim Liddell, Non Destructive Excavations Australia

“It’s a very common feeling. I stop and look at what it was like before I started, and look at the growth I have achieved since then. I also stop comparing myself to others.” — Roslyn Campbell, founder, Tsuno

  • Surround yourself with a solid support team, including networks and a board 

“One of the things that I took very seriously from day one was that I needed to access expertise and experience that I did not have. To counter that I formed a board that had expertise in areas such as corporate governance, law, finance, science and marketing. It was not an easy thing to do for a start-up company but I consider myself very lucky and have formed a great relationship and respect for my board members.” — Leanne Preston, founder, Wild Child WA

  • Pay it forward: find yourself a great mentor, then be one to someone else

“My mentors have provided amazing insights and experiences that have gifted me with great guidance and more knowledge. When times have been really tough, they have believed in me and the future of the business and have also given me very honest and relevant feedback when I’ve needed it most.  They have all variously provided me with mental strength and ‘carried me forward for an hour’ when I have been exhausted by the enormity of some of the challenges that I have faced. I know that Manbulloo would not be in as strong a position if I had not had mentors.  There are a few situations that I wonder whether Manbulloo would have survived without them.” — Marie Piccone, Managing Director, Manbulloo

  • Find a healthy balance and create boundaries between work and personal

“You need to schedule in a MEETING WITH YOURSELF every day. This is the time where you need to focus and recharge, whether it be going to the gym, a walk, sleeping in or meditation.” — Teresa Cutter, Owner, The Healthy Chef

Criteria and Process for Hall of Fame 

The criteria for the Hall of Fame requires inductees to be founders or business owners who have demonstrated they are exemplary in their field, making new pathways, be mentors amongst mentors of other women, demonstrate inspiring and aspiring business journeys and trailblazers. Women are nominated by Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame Alumni, industry and business groups and the HerBusiness Advisory Board. A highly-respected Selection Panel, which features a diverse mix of women in business, the media and government, is responsible for the selection process and review.