Success: All Wrapped Up in a Little Red Book

When Terrie Anderson first joined the AWO Book Club, it was lovely to have another member on board to discuss our Book of the Month, and share in lively discussion on all things literary. When Terrie revealed she is also a self-published author, things became even more interesting for our Book Club members – what’s better than discussing books with someone that not only loves to read books, but also loves to write them?

Terrie, a proud Australian who currently lives in Europe, is one of a growing number of authors who are self-publishing their work. Her successful little tome – The Little Red Success Book – was first published in January 1994 and went into a second print run six months later. Now 15 years on, Terrie is re-releasing the book, and has also issued an electronic version, in keeping with modern publishing techniques. Read more

Online Diva Hollie Turner on the run from creditors

Founder of OnlineDivas.com.au, Hollie Turner (pictured), is currently ducking creditors and a long line of dissatisfied members who are demanding their money back from the women’s networking site.

Australian Women Online has spoken to several women who say they have been let down, ripped off and in some cases, verbally abused by Hollie Turner, who is reportedly in the United States at present and can’t be reached. When reports surfaced last week that the TV program A Current Affair, were interested in doing a story on the Online Diva, Hollie Turner silenced her critics by promising to pay what she owed. Read more

Female entrepreneurs are flying under the radar

Only six companies founded by women made it into BRW’s Fastest Growing Companies list for 2009. One of the reasons women are so under-represented is that fewer women enter the prestigious business awards. As a group, women tend to downplay their achievements and are reluctant to step forward and claim the credit when they do perform well. But is it just a lack of confidence, or are female entrepreneurs flying under the radar?

According to this year’s youngest and highest ranking female entrepreneur in BRW’s Fast 100, Roberta Faddoul (pictured), female entrepreneurs are achieving much more than we realise, it’s just that many women are accumulating their successes under the radar of the wider business community and the press. Read more

Understanding Public Relations with Melanie King from 303

In my experience, the role of public relations (PR) is still largely misunderstood by the very people who could benefit from it most. I’m not just talking about business owners, but some publishers as well.

So in an attempt to clear up all this confusion in relation to the role of PR in business and the media, I recently spoke to former journalist and Head of PR at 303, Melanie King (pictured). Melanie has managed PR for some of the biggest brands in Australia and she also teaches PR at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Read more

Melbourne Mum Swaps a Career of Crime for the Beauty Business

After spending six years at university earning her degree in Criminology, Joana Calado (pictured), turned her back on crime when she became a mother. Today, the Melbourne mother of three, runs two successful online businesses, Ella Bleau Jewellery and The Beauty Club.

Joana Calado told Australian Women Online, “It took me six years of university to finish that degree and I worked at the Children’s Hospital for a little while before falling pregnant. I was working with children who were severely abused and it was a great job up until I had my first child, then I saw it from a completely different angle. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to work with the same objectivity.” Read more

Women in Business: Bianca Kristallis from Pamper Hamper Gifts

After growing up as a hoarder of Christmas presents, Barbie Dolls, makeup and shoes, Sydney businesswoman, Bianca Kristallis (pictured), made the decision to turn her passion for detail and luxury into a career.

Tired of outdated, tacky and one-dimensional gifting options, Bianca wanted to breathe new life into the gifting service one immaculately tied ribbon at a time. Read more

Women in Business: Kathy Forrest from Dutiful Daughters

Kathy Forrest (pictured) is Managing Director of a Sydney-based organisation called Dutiful Daughters, which provides aged-care to local communities delivering companionship, meal preparation, outings, personal care and 24 hour support for families.

After running a chain of publications and working in publishing for nearly ten years, Kathy became a practice manager at a radiology practice where she gained an interest in the health industry and completed a Diploma in Practice Management for medical business. Kathy now runs a business with heart and spends 24 hours a day thinking about the needs of other people. Read more

Women in Business: Elspeth Radford from Saltbush Clothing

To remain competitive and profitable, the Saltbush Clothing Company has had to change and evolve over the past twenty years. During the recession of the early 1990s, the company ceased production of children’s clothing to concentrate exclusively on women’s wear. When the company hit hard times about five years ago, Elspeth Radford recognised the need for help in key business areas such as book keeping, marketing, business strategy and accounting. But without the finances to employ a team of professionals, Elspeth assembled her own business advisory board, a group of professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to assist her.

Saltbush Clothing Company was established by Elspeth Radford (pictured) and her husband Graham, in early 1988. Unable to purchase hard wearing, smart moleskin trousers with co-ordinating casual shirts for her two young sons, Elspeth set about making the garments herself. Read more

Women in Business: Keran Wicks from Network Video

Keran Wicks (pictured) is the founder and Managing Director of The Network Group, a leading player in Australia’s $1 billion home entertainment industry. As the only woman in the world to run a movie rental group, Keran has spoken at international industry conferences; her unique perspectives and strong work ethic have made her a respected member of the Australian business community.

Without her vision and drive, the Australian home entertainment industry would be vastly different to what it is today. Keran played a vital role in the successful case brought against Warner Bros in the Australian Federal Court in 2001 that stopped two-tier DVD pricing, and has been an active board member of the Australian Video Rental Retailers Association (AVRRA) since 1998. Read more

Commonwealth Bank to Provide Support for Women in Business

The Commonwealth Bank has launched a new program designed specifically to support women in business, called Women in Focus.

The Women in Focus program will offer tailored, flexible business coaching and networking opportunities for women to help achieve their business, career and personal goals. Introductory Sessions for those interested in learning more about the program will commence in late September in each capital city.

Head of Women in Focus, Ms Gail Hackett, said a key feature of Women in Focus is a tailored business coaching program targeted towards business owners or partners, and women in corporate senior executive or management roles. Read more

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