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Meet Australia's top female entrepreneurs – they are smart, focused and generate more than $3.6 billion in sales.
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1. Jan Cameron
Company: Retail Adventures
Established: 2006
Revenue: $1 billion*
Jan Cameron is best known as the founder of outdoor wear chain Kathmandu, which she sold to a private equity company in 2006 for about $300 million, but her new business Retail Adventures, is an even bigger operation. In April 2009 the company purchased Australian Discount Retail out of administration and has set about rebuilding the business. The company operates the Chickenfeed, Sam's Warehouse, Crazy Clark's, Go-Lo and my place It's Home chains, which have over 330 stores, 8000 employees and annual sales revenue of around $1 billion.
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2. Naomi Milgrom
Company: Sussan Group
Established: 1939
Revenue: $496 million*
While Naomi Milgrom's parents Marc and Eva Besen were responsible for much of the development and expansion of Sussan Group, Milgrom is now firmly in control after buying out her parents and siblings in 2003. The company, whose brands include Sussan, Sportsgirl and Suzanne Grae, has over 550 stores and more than 4,000 staff. Milgrom's personal wealth is valued at more than $650 million.
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3. Julia Ross
Company: Ross Human Directions
Established: 1989
Revenue: $392.9 million
Julia Ross' recruitment services business was established in 1989 after she hit the glass ceiling in her previous role and resigned. "I hadn't planned to go out on my own but a number of circumstances, such as the coincident breakdown of my marriage and the shortly-thereafter discovery that I was pregnant, conspired to limit my options. I found there was not a lot of demand for a single, pregnant lady in senior corporate roles in the 1980s! So I went out on my own as I had to earn a living to support myself and my child."
The company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2000, has expanded rapidly over the last decade and now has operations in countries including New Zealand, Britain, Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore. Ross remains the managing director and major shareholder of the company, which has a market capitalisation of $32 million. The stock has doubled in price in the last 12 months.
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4. Maxine Horne
Company: Vita Group
Established: 1995
Revenue: $297.8 million
Maxine Horne and her husband David McMahon established mobile phone retail chain Fone Zone on the Gold Coast in 1995 and built it into one of Australia's leading mobile phone resellers. The company listed in November 2005 and changed its name to Vita Group in 2008. In early 2009, the company acquired the Apple computer chain Next Byte. McMahon and Horne are joint chief executives and hold a stake worth about $15 million.
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5. Charlotte Vidor
Company: Toga Group
Established: 1963
Revenue: $285 million*
The Toga of Companies was established in 1963 by Charlotte and Ervin Vidor, and has become one of Australia's largest hospitality groups through its ownership of the Medina, Vibe and Travelodge brands. The company, which also has interests in property development, funds management and aquaculture, now employs 1,800 people and also has interests in Europe. Charlotte and Ervin Vidor are valued at more than $440 million on BRW's Rich 200 list.
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6. Iris Lustig-Moar
Company: Lustig & Moar
Established: 1971
Revenue: $154 million*
Iris Lustig's father, Ted Lustig established property development company Lustig & Moar with Melbourne developer Max Moar, who was formerly married to Iris. After Ted's death in 2003, Iris has taken a greater role in the running of the company, which concentrates on apartment and hotel projects in inner Melbourne. Iris is also known as one of the most active art collectors in Australia.
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7. Janine Allis
Company: Boost Juice Bars
Established: 2000
Revenue: $143.7 million*
Few entrepreneurs can take credit for establishing an entire industry, but Boost Juice founder Janine Allis sparked a craze for juice bars in 2000 when she opened her first store in Adelaide. Since then the company has expanded to over 1,850 stores in locations around Australia and in countries including Britain, Ireland, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Macau and Mexico. Boost also owns the Salsa takeaway food franchise brand.
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8. Therese Rein
Company: Ingeus
Established: 1989
Revenue: $120 million*
Therese Rein was forced to sell the Australian arm of employment services provider Ingeus in 2007 after her husband Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister. The business is now focused on the European market, particularly Britain where the company has a $475 million contract with the British Government. Rein remains managing director of the company and added well-known company director David Gonski to her board last year.
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9. Gina Rinehart
Company: Hancock Prospecting
Established: 1955
Revenue: $100 million*
When Gina Rinehart took over Hancock Prospecting from her late father Lang Hancock in 1992, the company was in a mess, with high debts and cashflow problems threatening its future. Under Rinehart's guidance, the company has become a powerhouse of the West Australian iron ore industry, developing projects with Rio Tinto and on her own. Hancock Prospecting is also developing a coal project in Queensland. Rinehart's personal fortune is valued at more than $3 billion.
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10. Diana Williams
Company: Fernwood Women's Health Clubs
Established: 1989
Revenue: $88.2 million
While woman-only gyms are commonplace now, Fernwood founder Diana Williams is one of the pioneers of the Australian sector. She started the company more than 20 years ago and has built the business into a national operation, with more than 75 health clubs and over 80,000 members.
Williams says the emergence of a number of great role models has made it easier for women to start a business. Her key piece of advice for female entrepreneurs is to focus. "Believe in your own ability, always employ people who you feel are better than you, undertake training if you feel there is a need, and stay focused on reaching that goal you have set."
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11. Gillian Franklin
Company: The Heat Group
Established: 2000
Revenue: $72 million
Gillian Franklin's commitment to female business extends well beyond her highly successful cosmetics business The Heat Group. The company's website has become a tool that produces research about key issues affecting women's lives, including paid maternity leave, consumer trends and flexible work practices.
"Our goal was always to develop brands and services to respect, reward and recognise the needs of women," she says. Franklin, who survived breast cancer in 2008, says it has become much easier for women to become entrepreneurs in recent years. "Women have more access to finance, mentors and support groups than 10 years ago."
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12. Helen Logas
Company: Travelcorp
Established: 1994
Revenue: $61.5 million*
Travelcorp founder Helen Logas built her business around her greatest strength – her ability to negotiate and get great deals for customers. The company, based in Sydney, now has almost 40 staff and Logas has her eyes set on the New Zealand market. Logas was a member of SmartCompany's Smart50 list in 2008 and 2009, with an average annual growth rate of 47% in the last three years.
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13. Jo Horgan
Company: Cosmetics Cubed
Established: 1997
Revenue: $50 million*
Jo Horgan established Mecca Cosmetica in 1997 after leaving her job as a brand manager at cosmetics giant L'Oreal. The chain now includes 31 stores around Australia and in New Zealand, and has been complimented by a more youth-orientated chain called Kit Cosmetics. Both brands are also distributed through Myer and are supported by an eCommerce site. Horgan was valued on last year's BRW Young Rich list at $35 million.
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14. Sue Ismiel
Company: Sue Ismiel & Daughters
Established: 1992
Revenue: $40 million*
Sue Ismiel's Nad's brand is now one of Australia's leading names in hair removal, but the business had a much more humble start – Ismiel's original product was made for one of her daughters from ingredients she found in her kitchen. Sue remains the chief executive, but her daughters Nadine, Natalie and Naomi are also heavily involved in the company, which exports around the world and has also developed other brands including Pure Skin and Nitwits. The company is aiming for $50 million in 2009-10.
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15. Debbie Giudes
Company: Escape Travel
Established: 1992
Revenue: $32.11 million
Debbie Giudes owns and operates seven Escape Travel stores across regional Queensland. But the entrepreneur admits she sort of "fell into" the business, which was set up by her ex-husband. "I discovered I loved what I was doing and so took over and expanded the business," she says.
Giudes believes it has now harder for women to start businesses, but not because any gender barriers – rather the red tape, rules and regulations around entrepreneurship are a significant barrier. To that end, her advice to female entrepreneurs is to understand the risk involved in their business. "Work out what's the worst that could happen, if you can live with that, then go for it!"
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16. Sandra Boyle
Company: Wild Retail Group
Established: 2002
Revenue: $30.1 million
Sandra Boyle started in retail in 1992, before founding WILD Cards and Gifts a decade later with less than $100,000. "I saw the opportunity for the creation of a unique mix of cards and gifts not served by existing shopping centre-based stores," she says. The chain now includes more than 40 franchised stores around Australia and employs more than 150 people. Boyle is not in favour of the government regulating to increase female representation at the top levels of corporate Australia and has some blunt advice for female entrepreneurs. "Don't believe for one moment that because you are a woman that business is harder or easier. Gender has no affect on what success you can achieve."
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17. Sylvia Wilson
Company: Who Ya Gonna Call Bark Busters International
Established: 1989
Revenue: $30 million
Sylvia and Danny Wilson's franchise Bark Busters was born when Slyvia was managing an RSPCA shelter and noticed many dogs being abandoned due to behavioural problems. "My husband and I knew we could help save dogs like these from surrender or abandonment," she says.
The company now has 460 franchises around the world, including franchises in the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Israel and France and soon Belgium. Wilson, who describes herself as a "late bloomer" having started her business in her 40s, believes it has become easier for women to launch a company. "Now when I look around I see more and more women leading the way in business and this is great, they don't let anything stand in their way."
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18. Kristina Karlsson
Company: Kikki K
Established: 2001
Revenue: $30 million*
Kristina Karlsson's stationery and giftwear business Kikki K is one of those companies that can claim to have started a trend by sparking Australia's love of upmarket stationery. The business, which has opened about 10 stores during the last two years to take its network to 40 stores across Australia and New Zealand, made its first foray into Asia in late 2009 when it opened a store in Singapore.
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19. Carla Zampatti
Company: Carla Zampatti
Established: 1965
Revenue: $25 million*
Italian migrant Carla Zampatti is an icon of Australian business, having transformed her fledgling fashion label, launched 45 years ago, into one of the most iconic brands in women's fashion. In addition to her fashion business, which includes 14 stand-alone stores and a distribution deal with David Jones, Zampatti is a prominent company director, having served on the boards of Fairfax, Westfield and SBS.
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20. Carolyn Creswell
Company: Carmen's Fine Foods
Established: 1992
Revenue $24 million*
Carolyn Creswell was just 18 and working part-time making muesli when she heard the owners of the business were thinking of shutting down. She seized the opportunity to buy the business for just $1,000 and began developing a muesli products business that are now in all of Australia's major supermarkets and exports to more than 20 counties. The company, which is based in Melbourne, employs 14 people.
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21. Naomi Simson
Company: Red Balloon
Established: 2001
Revenue: $22.3 million
Naomi Simson started her online gifting business with a big aim. "I wanted to start an online business that was revolutionary, something that had not been done before. RedBalloon brought experience gifts to market... we developed a market and created an industry. We are changing gifting in Australia forever so more people have wonderful experiences with the people that are important to them."
Simson, who started out in a home office, now employs 60 people, is extremely proud of the fact that Red Balloon has won several employer of choice awards and says great staff are always a good investment. "Have amazing professionals around you, every dollar spent on great people is worth 100 fold in return. And make sure you are always having fun... it is never about the money."
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22. Natalie Bloom
Company: Bloom Cosmetics
Established: 1993
Revenue: $20 million*
Natalie Bloom started out selling cards and gifts from her parent's home, but quickly progressed to a full cosmetics range. The company now boats 300 products including colour cosmetics, skincare and a bath and body range. Bloom has developed a strong international distribution network and also sells her products through David Jones and Myer in Australia. Bloom's fortune is valued at $29 billion by BRW magazine.
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23. Karen Corban
Company: Universal Events
Established: 1993
Revenue: $16.56 million
Universal Events specialises in running events with some of the world's best motivational, trainers and personal development experts in area such as Neuro Linguistic Programming , property, wealth building and entrepreneurship. "I had a passion for personal development after seeing results in my own life, and I wanted to share this with people," founder Karen Corban says. She believes it has become easier for women to get a start in business. "Since I started my first business at the age of 21, attitudes towards women in business have changed. There is more education available to women and opportunities for education and mentoring. Working from home is now a widely adopted, low risk way to start a business. There are also many great examples of women who hold key positions in corporations who set a great example of what's possible."
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24. Kate Beaconsfield
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25. Lisa Balakas
Company: Ripe Maternity Wear
Established: 1996
Revenue: $10 million
Kate Beaconsfield and Lisa Balakas had two goals when they started their business in 1996. "We felt that there was a lack of fashionable, affordable maternity clothes. We also started the business as we thought we could run this type of company while raising children," Beaconsfield says.
The company, which now employs 30 people and boasts a turnover of $10 million, has expanded into the retail sector in recent years. Beaconsfield is against the introduction of quota regulations to encourage female participation at the top levels of Australian corporate life, but supports government-funded maternity leave rather than employee- based schemes. "I feel these employer schemes would lead to subtle discrimination against women, which in turn affects their chances of promotion."
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26. Nicola Mills
Company: Pacific Retail Managemet
Established: 2007
Revenue: $9.25 million
Nicola Mills started franchise brand manager Pacific Retail Management in 2007, four years after she launched the Kick Juice Bars franchise and just before she started the Love Coffee and Crepes chain. PRM now controls a number of franchise brands, including the Go Sushi chain and the Bearded Papa's chain. Her key lesson for female entrepreneurs is to study hard and be prepared to discuss your plans. "Do lots of research on all the companies that are available to help you, including government groups. Get lots of advice from other female entrepreneurs in your industry, and look for people who are smarter than you to help. Be open, share ideas and be fully transparent about your plans. You will then meet genuine people who will help you grow, and will be open to sharing experiences with you."
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27. Vanessa Garrard
Company: E3 Style
Established: 2006
Revenue: $8.84 million
Vanessa Garrard's electronics accessories business E3 Style is the youngest business on this list, but one of the fastest growing. The company, co-founded with two colleagues Jillbert Mulder and Richard Chen, helps retailers bring electronics accessories directly into the company from China, and provides a complete product development support services for its clients.
Like many of the female entrepreneurs surveyed, Garrard believes it is becoming easier for female entrepreneurs. "There is more acceptance of balancing time between the office and the family. When I had my first child five years ago there was a lot of pressure to be back in the office full-time. Now having just had my third child I find it much more acceptable to alter arrangements if required and there is certainly a lot more understanding of family obligations."
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28. Betty Fong
Company: Pie Face
Established: 2003
Revenue: $8.5 million
Former fashion designers Betty Fong and Wayne Homschek established retail food chain Pie Face seven years ago. The chain's unique product – its pies are literally decorated with faces – have found a strong following and the chain has expanded from its New South Wales base into Victoria, and is planning to move into Queensland and the ACT soon. While the chain includes 20 company-owned stores, it has recently moved into franchising and hopes to double in size in the next 12 months. Fong is against the introduction of a quota system, but does want governments to attack the entrepreneur's curse – payroll tax.
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29. Diane Tompson
Company: The Powercom Group
Established: 1991
Revenue: $8.46 million
Tasmania entrepreneur Diane Tompson started her electronic manufacturing and consulting business The Powercom Group with her husband in 1991. While she initially worked in an administrative support role and taught music on the side, she eventually became the managing director of the company. Despite her own success, Tompson believes it is still difficult for female entrepreneurs to make headway, particularly in male dominated sectors. "As president of Women Chiefs of Enterprise International I see a great many business owners. I think it's still quite difficult for a woman to break into the male dominated business categories. A lot of women go into the 'soft businesses', businesses that only deal with women's needs."
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30. Caroline Treacy
Company: CORE Architecture
Established: 1959
Revenue: $8 million
Caroline Treacy has been managing director of Queensland architect firms CORE Architecture, during which time the company's revenue has increased tenfold. Treacy, who won the property and construction award in Queensland Business Review's Women in Business Awards for 2008, is against the idea of quotas to encourage female participation at board level. "Boards should be based on expertise and diversity not necessarily gender. The awareness of the importance of diversity itself should be raised and this in turn will make females more accepted as a valued addition to any board."
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31. Karen Cariss
Company: PageUp People
Established: 1997
Revenue: $7.75 million
PageUp People, founded by Karen Cariss and her husband Simon, provides talent management software delivered as a software-as-a-service product. While the company focuses on the top end of town (working almost exclusively with large corporate) Cariss built the business with less than $100,000 in start up capital. She believes the internet has helped to make it easier for female entrepreneurs to get their ventures off the ground. "The ability to build a solid internet business allows women more flexibility regarding working hours and location, which is important if they are also mothers. There is also an ever increasing balanced view on women's capabilities, so other than balancing being a mum, I don't see any barriers for women starting a business compared with men. In fact, there are several advantages of being a woman, as there is often an ability to stand out easier, such as through awards like this one!"
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32. Suzanne Pearson
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33. Shannon Trueman
Company: Pearson Trueman & Associates
Established: 2007
Revenue: $6.59 million
It's the sort of story that should inspire every start up entrepreneur. In less than three years, and with less than $30,000 in start up capital, Suzanne Pearson and Shannon Trueman have built a thriving communications, change management and business analysis consultancy, with 53 staff and number of blue chip clients, including ANZ and Port of Melbourne Corporation. Pearson says the best nuggets of advice she has received is to believe in yourself, trust your skills and instincts, stick to your core business and be proud of what you've accomplished. Pearson is a supporter of quotas for boards. "It amazes me when I meet successful and inspiring women and they are passed over for more senior roles and board memberships. Without government quotas or ratios we will never see any traction on this issue."
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34. Francesca Webster
Company: Brazilian Beauty
Established: 2004
Revenue: $6 million
Francesca Webster's business built her business around the idea of nurturing successful women. "I wanted to bring my corporate skill set to a corner store industry with a twist, the twist being Brazilian waxing," she says. "And I wanted a business that focused on women achieving their goals whether they be our clients, our team members or our franchisees."
The company, which is headquartered in Queensland, now has 12 franchisees. Webster has some straightforward advice for female entrepreneurs: "Stay focused, be passionate and don't let anyone tell you that it can't be done."
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35. Jo Burston
Company: Job Capital
Established: 2006
Revenue: $4.74 million
Jo Burston launched Job Capital in response to the growing skill shortages in Australia in 2006 and 2007, and the need for highly-paid contactors to manage their own financial and tax structures without the need to be permanently employed. Burston has also established a private network of female business leaders, who come together to enjoy each other's company and offer support and advice. She sees gender as a tool to learn about others, rather than a barrier. "From my own experience, I don't believe it's about gender, rather your strength as a business person and your passion and determination to build industry credibility and respect by simply being reliable, consistent, innovative and always on your game."
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36. Margaret Lomas
Company: Destiny Financial Solutions
Established: 1994
Revenue: $4.5 million
Husband and wife team Margaret and Reuben Lomas started their property and wealth management advisory business in 1994, but struck a rough patch when they moved from Perth to the NSW Central Coast. With their cash down to $20,000 they approached a local radio station to develop an advertising campaign that cost $18,000. The campaign was such a success they had worked booked solid for three months. "We were totally underprepared, and it required us to sit down and organise a plan for the business to stop it from speeding out of control," Margaret says. "Most businesses owners, particularly women, don't understand the way the finances of their company work, and they need to put in planning and make the business go where they decide it to go, not where it's going on its own volition."
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37. Katie May
Company: Kidspot
Established: 2005
Revenue: $4.2 million
Like many great businesses, Katie May conceived online business Kidspot out of need. "While I was the marketing director at SEEK, I tried to find a jumping castle and a gymnastics class online in the same week for my two young daughters. It was 2004 and it was a terrible, futile experience. I could not understand why this was not easier to do online." The original vision of a directory of children's businesses was quickly expanded to include parenting content and the business recently acquired birth.com.au to add to its network. The two sites have over 900,000 unique visitors each month.
May's best advice is to get a partner to share the journey. "Every major step the business has taken since has been alongside someone with confidence and skills that I didn't have. I found that having a partner or just someone to share the risk was enormously helpful. Women tend to work well as part of a team - and I've certainly found that to be true."
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38. Cristina Re
Company: Cristina Re
Established: 1997
Revenue: $4.2 million*
It's doubtful that many Australian brides wouldn't have come across Cristina Re's stationery, which has become a staple for wedding invitations, place cards and thank-yous in the last decade. Re started the company after photographing weddings to support her design business; the invitations she made to complement clients' photos became so popular she realised she had the makings of a business.
Re says female entrepreneurs must remain passionate and positive, should work to build a strong support network and should get every bit of help possible, such as government grants. She also says women must not forget their big strength. "Always trust women's intuition rather than logic when creating opportunities and solving difficult problems."
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39. Tammy May
Company: MyBudget
Established: 2000
Revenue: $3.9 million
Tammy May's business tackles one of Australia's great problems – debt. The company, established 10 years ago, specialises in helping people manage their finances by analysing their income, debts and expenses and developing a budget to help them stay out of trouble. In the current economic environment, it's no surprise to learn May's business is booming, with a revenue target of $7.5 million for 2009-10. Her best advice is to build a business you are passionate about. "Having a clear passion for something that helps others gives you many advantages. It means you can create a unique culture and it makes your business strategy and business plan much easier to write. The strategy then becomes about delivering on your passion."
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40. Bec Brideson
Company: Venus Advertising
Established: 2004
Revenue: $3.5 million
Bec Brideson's livelihood depends on her ability to understand women – after all, her advertising firm Venus Advertising specialises in communicating with the female market. Brideson says it is an area that has been largely ignored by advertising firms. "When Venus began, only 6% of women ever achieved the position of creative director in advertising. Less than 1% actually started their own business. The lack of women in top positions is totally disproportionate to their role in the home as the core decision-maker of household spend. There is an 'empathy gap', with 85% of women missing communication created by the men writing the ideas." Her message to other female entrepreneurs is simple. "You can have it all. Women can be mothers too, and this change in life stage forces one to become remarkably organised, resourceful and time-efficient. You can do both and be successful in both roles."
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41. Ryll Burgin
Company: 10X Limited
Established: 2007
Revenue: $3.43 million
Ryll Burgin founded 10X Limited with Nic Clark, Michael Sheargold and Rob Nixon three years ago. The business focuses on providing business coaching through franchise arrangements with accounting firms. Like many of the female entrepreneurs on this list, Burgin believes there are no barriers for female entrepreneurs. "As a young business woman, it never even occurred to me that I might experience any resistance or limiting factors by being a woman in business. In fact, from a young age, I didn't just believe in equal opportunity, I expected nothing less, and this has always been my personal experience."
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42. Kirsten Roberts
Company: Spudbar
Established: 2002
Revenue: $3.2 million
When Kirsten Roberts became co-owner and chief executive of Spudbar she set about transforming the business from a loose collection of businesses operating under the same name to a robust franchise network. The company's niche - baked potatoes stuffed with flavours that people don't expect – is largely untapped and Roberts says there is no branded competition that does what Spudbar does.
While Roberts says it is getting slightly easier for women to start a business, she says much depends on an entrepreneur's home situation. "I think the biggest impact on how hard or easy it is for males versus females, is the personal situation at home. How much support is there from spouses, compromises on duties, pickup times, parental responsibilities, etc? To me, that is the biggest driver on the differences between males and females in starting or running a business."
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43. Susan Williams
Company: The Finishing Touch
Established: 1994
Revenue: $3 million*
Susan Williams helps customers with one of the most painful things in life – moving house. "I was working as a consultant for a national removals business and saw that clients were looking for additional levels of service that was not being met by the industry, which tended to be transport and storage focussed. Our business has expanded from initially providing unpacking services to now providing packing, unpacking and moving advice."
Her advice for female entrepreneurs is to do your research, understand your strengths and weaknesses and hire well. "Our staff are everything, they will work for you not for money but because they share your passion, energy and direction."
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44. Carmelina Pascoe
Company: My Coffee Shop
Established: 2003
Revenue: $2.56 million
Carmelina and Mark Pascoe founded the My Coffee Shop franchise and provided business and domestic clients with automatic coffee machines, coffee and tea supplies and premium services. The company is Australia-wide, with a focus on Melbourne and Sydney.
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45. Ariana Hendry
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46. Anthea Hendry
Company: Hypoxi Australia
Established: 2006
Revenue: $2.4 million
Sisters Ariana Hendry and Anthea Hendry's health and weight loss business is based around exercise equipment that helps improve circulation and kick start the body into metabolising fat. The sisters hold the licences for Australia and now have a network of 40 locations nationally.
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47. Sophie Macdonald
Company: Skye Recruitment
Established: 2006
Revenue: $2.27 million
Sophie and Kye Macdonald's recruitment company focuses on the civil construction, building, civil engineering, mining, and oil and gas markets. Sophie says the firm has tried to build an edge over its competition by using two in-house software developers to keep Skye on the cutting edge of back-office technologies.
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48. Annette Sym
Company: Symply Too Good
Established: 1997
Revenue: $1.21 million
Annette Sym's Symply Too Good To Be True cookbooks, which feature healthy, low-fat recipes, have sold more than three million copies in Australia. Her sixth self-published book will launch in late April.
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