Women Entrepreneurs Success Stories

Airbnb started out as a blow-up mattress on the floor, Facebook started up in a college dorm room and Google was born in a garage. We put a spotlight on the wonderful world of start-ups, and show you how to kick-start your own entrepreneurial dream.

\'To get my first job in advertising I placed two ads. The first used all of David Ogilvy’s techniques, and no one replied, and then in desperation I did a wilder ad...\'

From being the youngest ever GM at Bobbi Brown & Origins in Australia to starting an online publishing brand that's a daily destination for 30k+ women, Bahar is a true inspiration to many young entrepreneurs.

Got a big idea and want to turn it into a reality? Are you a natural leader and self-starter? Do you hate the idea of working below someone else? Then you're just the type of person who needs to be their own boss!

Success and its people come in many different shapes and sizes, but what are the common traits that they all share. Is it that successful people put in the extra hours? Do they have a better routine? Or is it just a case of luck ...

\'Do something you\'re really passionate about. You\'re going to need to invest energy and time into it, so make it something you really enjoy.\'

Why do we always see the same crazy professions depicted in the movies? In these fictional worlds everyone\'s a hacker, an investigator or a writer – but how do we get there? Let us show you how you can study for your Hollywood-worthy career online.

‘I have always been passionate about creating tribes of women, communities of like-minded people.’

In an effort to improve opportunities for women in leadership roles in the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Government is expanding its Navy Women’s Leadership Program in 2010.

Some industries are, and always have been, dominated by men. But it\'s time that women stopped limiting their options and got in on the action. If you\'re a woman, here are some careers where you can forge a new path.

The glass ceiling is still present in Australian companies, with a new report showing the number of women in executive positions is in sharp decline.

Women with sales experience take note: the car sales and services sector wants you.

Australia’s businesswomen are more positive about their business prospects and are more likely to be anticipating significant business growth in 2011 than their male counterparts, according to research conducted for the quarterly Sensis Business Index.

It’s no secret that being good-looking is a huge advantage in life. When it comes to work, studies have shown that attractive people get better jobs and better wages.

More than one quarter of young workers either cannot find work or can’t work enough hours, according to newly released Bureau of Statistics figures.

While working in an office environment it’s crucial to meet the dress code. After all, the way colleagues and clients view you can help make or break your professional reputation.

With 30 years experience in the industry, Renee is passionate about her job and feels midwifery is a rewarding profession.

Would changing the way you dress affect your performance – and your boss’ perception of your abilities? The answer is yes – and here’s the science to prove it.

We can often find life advice in the most unconventional of places. Vivien goes digging around the jaw-breaking gaming phenomenon, Candy Crush, to find some hidden career lesson gems (hard rock candied gems, to be precise).

An 80-hour week is pretty standard in Kate\'s world. She\'s the owner of Bondi Vet Hospital, a media vet, founder of online gifting website, Thankly, as well as Director of pet biotechnology company, Cannpal. Read how she juggles it all...

This behavioural-based interview question is quite commonly asked in the application for graduate, vacation or internship programs.

Having chameleon-like adaptability is the key to success, according to a Sydney University study.

The marketing and advertising industries were amongst the hardest hit during the recent economic downturn – but opportunities and openings are still to be found.

What if you found that 70% of employees thought that having mates at work was the “most crucial element to a happy working life”? Or that good working relationships were more important than a higher salary? Check out the infographic for more.

From NIDA director to social worker - read about Tanya\'s inspiring career journey and her 25 years of experience delivering therapeutic services for children, young people and their families.

Ben has been awarded Money Management’s 2018 Financial Planner of the Year Award, Financial Standards Power50 Most Influential Advisers in Australia and was a recent finalist in IFAs Industry Thought Leader of the Year.  Want to know how he got there?

Nothing can be more infuriating than someone younger than you achieving a lot more than you have. To get you in a good mood, Andrea lists seven youngsters who will make you question whether you’re reaching your full potential.

Alison\'s inspiration for a long career is naturopathy is simple, she has a passion for helping people feel better and reclaim good health.

If you’ve always dreamt of becoming a writer or wish you could take your drawing skills further than just doodles on office memos, now is the perfect time to realise your dreams and your potential.

It takes hard work to become a success but it isn't all about the hours you put in. From 1 hour to 10,000, we give you the lowdown on how to improve your performance so you go beyond productive and into the big leagues.

Social media. A proactive tool for personal branding or a one way ticket to self-destruction? Our writers go head-to-head.

You\'re a uni student or new graduate and you\'ve got the education, but what can you do get your career off the ground when you don\'t have any work experience? Go online, and start networking!

Being the GM of one of Australia’s most popular online retail stores is no easy feat. Read how Justin has worked his way up and become a successful leader and mentor.

The search is on for Australia’s next top businesswoman as the 2010 Telstra Business Women\'s Awards open today for nominations and entries.

It may be the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, but Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that women still earn only 84 per cent of what men earn – and women working part time get an even smaller percentage.

Could you be the next mumpreneur? Julia speaks to successful businesswomen who prove that mums really do make the best multi-taskers.

There\'s a lot to be learnt from the competitors of the Winter Olympic Games. We look at why being the underdog shouldn\'t be underrated.

‘I am passionate about teaching people not so much how to cook but how to eat, how to plan a menu for the week, how to stock up their pantry, how to use seasonal produce.\'

Aspiring student entrepreneurs are being offered an exciting opportunity to kick-start their careers with The CPA Big Break Project 2012.

“Being a midwife is more than just delivering babies.” Read Sabrina’s career story in midwifery, and about her extraordinary experiences and passion for helping new mothers.

If you\'re excited about the thought of breaking into the glamorous beauty industry but aren\'t quite sure where to start, these tips will get you on the right track.

It may be 2014 but there is still a significant gender gap in the job market. Julia takes a look at the industries that are the worst offenders.

\'We can make some wonderful patterns for women in Australia because we know that there are clients here who will buy them. Australian women are lots of fun and very adventurous with their fashion.\'

Now has never been a better time to make the jump into the world of coding, hard drives and USB ports. The IT industry is calling.

If you’re a mum wanting to get back into the workforce after taking years off to care for your kids, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some tips to get you started.

If you love nothing more than to start your day sipping your latte and perusing the morning’s headlines from various free online news sites, you better enjoy it while you still can – because the way you access news online is about to change forever.

Going back to work after having children can be rather daunting, especially for parents who have spent a lot of time out of the workforce.

Jo helps navigate the tricky task of broaching the subject of your new bundle of joy.

This is Lucy. She wants to ask her boss for a promotion. Read more to find out what happens next.

It’s been a bumper year for book publishers and sellers, with book sales going strong this Christmas.

A strong personal brand is the key to personal and professional success. Here’s why - along with 9 great tips to create your own unforgettable brand.

Alex, says that while working as a freelancer is far from easy, the opportunity witness to people’s stories via a camera is what makes his job a true privilege.

\"For the longest time, I dreamed of becoming a nurse. I wanted to one day volunteer in Africa, and to help those who weren’t able to help themselves.\" Read Aziza\'s career story as a nurse and volunteer on the Mercy Ship Mission.

The old-fashioned image of librarians as bespectacled, fusty old women in cardigans bears no resemblance to the librarian of the twenty-first century. Today’s librarians are young and old, male and female, IT savvy, and people oriented.

What would you do if you went into an interview and were asked this question: how many meat pies were eaten in Sydney last week?

Jodie is not only a finance manager but also a coach, writer, keen traveller, and financial freedom advocate. Through her blog, she empowers women to become more financially literate.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have heard of Susan Boyle, the middle-aged Scottish woman, dubbed ‘the hairy angel’, who became a global sensation when her astonishing performance on Britain’s Got Talent was posted on YouTube.

Nic is responsible for developing and managing equity and diversity projects for regional University, CSU. Read his inspiring story and how he overcame his own mental health and identity issues to go on help and inspire many others.

I never ran behind my dreams because my dreams are running behind me. Read Arslan\'s career story and be motivated by his pursuit of success.

The server has crashed, you\'re filling in for colleagues that are sick with the flu, your boss doesn’t seem to have time for your problems and an important deadline is looming. When workplace stress is making you a ticking time bomb, here\'s what to do.

Long considered the domain of the mature-age or postgraduate student, distance education has often been regarded as plan B when it comes to gaining a tertiary education.

To make sure you get off on the right foot this year, we take a look at some work-related New Year’s resolutions that will see you catapulting your way to happiness, health and success.

Spa treatments can get messy and the cleaning is not fun! Read Sammy\'s story as a spa therapist at one of the Gold Coast\'s most popular day spas, Q1 Spa.

Are you fighting fit and achieving your goals, or have you lapsed into professional complacency? Whether you’re on the starting blocks of your career or already well on your way, these helpful tips will ensure you’re on track for professional success.

When you are putting a job application together, make sure you choose your referees carefully because they could make or break your chances of success.

Like any Hollywood love story, an office romance has its dramatic highs and lows. Just make sure it doesn’t get out of control.

With the success of shows such as MasterChef and My Restaurant Rules, the hospitality industry has been put under the spotlight – and it seems that people like what they see.

There are many lessons – good and bad – that we can take from the rich and the famous, including a wholesome reminder that success doesn\'t always come easy.

Phanthira and her husband, Rory, run a family daycare business from their home and have experienced phenomenal success, reaching capacity after just two weeks of opening!

Riley loves the evolving world of social media ... But she says \"it\'s not as easy as you think\". See her story working for one of Australia\'s largest e-commerce groups.

Recently enrolled in an online course or considering studying online? Check out our top tips on how to keep motivated, juggle your time and achieve success with your studies.

Think about a time you have come up against a challenge that you successfully resolved. Don\'t dredge up a catastrophe that resulted in personal or professional failure – stick to a story with a happy ending.

Graphic designer and aspiring blogger, Atieh always knew she wanted to do something creative and loves telling a story visually.

Amanda is the founder of BLOGS X BANTER, as well as a professional writer for online media specialising in creating content that clicks.

Whether you're in between jobs, looking for a side hustle, on maternity leave or want to make an entire career out of freelancing, we've got top tips to ensure you succeed as a freelancer.

The ‘mad scientist’ archetype has long fuelled wild misconceptions about what goes on behind closed laboratory doors. We put some of the most common industry myths under the microscope, to help you decide whether a career in science is right for you.

Save money, make money and share stuff. From home cooked meals to designer heels and gardening tools, these 12 sharing economy apps have got you covered!

Didn’t go to uni? Don’t have a degree? Don’t let that hold you back. Vivien takes a closer look at 10 career paths that will have you swimming in dough, not drowning in HECS debt.

Not negotiating your salary at every opportunity means that you could be robbing yourself of over $600,000 over the course of your working life. Here are 11 scientifically backed negotiation strategies to help you get the raise you deserve.

The Deloitte Millennial Survey is out and the message is clear: business is below expectations when it comes to social impact. We speak to some social enterprisers who are successfully driving profits with purpose.

Before they were famous Harrison Ford worked as a carpenter, Vera Wang was an ice skater, Martha Stewart worked on Wall St and the Pope was a bouncer! See what other celebrity career changes will surprise you

Bek makes her place in the world, she has never waited for a space to open for her. Read how she overcame adversity to become the director in three companies and a global professional mentor.

Are you one of those people who’s always known what you want to do when you grow up – like become a doctor, policeman or vet?

Money is important but it shouldn't be the only reason you take a job or choose a career path. From getting into the 'flow state' to finding friendship, here are 6 reasons to choose a job that have nothing to do with the size of your salary!

Whether you are starting a brand spanking new job or you’ve been with the same company for the past 10 years, what you wear to work each day is important.

In recent years, social media has been revolutionising the way people find jobs. Social media is now becoming a job in itself, with many people turning their blog or website into a viable moneymaker.

There\'s no more valuable skill in the workplace than the ability to write professionally, and well. Find out why everyone needs to hone their writing skills.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin. Rediscover learning and make a commitment to invest in your mind and in your future today, and everyday!

Getting your CV and cover letter right is a crucial step in applying for any job. Have a look at our retail (fashion) entry-level resume example written to industry standards that will help you write a winning job application.

There are two sides to being a business owner and working for yourself can have its fair share of perks and downers. Perhaps being your own boss may not be all it's cracked up to be after all ...

Read about Renee's career change and inspirational work helping her community as part of First Impressions Clothing Exchange - an initiative by women, for women to help put together a look that'll get them the job!

After thirteen years of playground politics, study and discipline, the time has come to put your pen down in the final exam and stare down the barrel at the rest of your life. It’s scary, exhilarating and very confusing.

If you’re an ideas person with a flair for writing, you can’t go past a career in communications for diversity and creative stimulation.

With their practical approach, network of Fortune 500 CEOs and no-exam policy, this new kid on the block is making waves.

Is our future going to be Jetsons-like with attentive and charming Rosies, or are we headed down a dark Blade Runner-esque path where androids revolt and rebel?

It’s the question we all want the answer to: What’s next? Which industry is going to be the next big thing? By reading forecasts and various reports, we\'ve compiled the most comprehensive guide to the 12 industries of the future.

The communication industry is all about telling stories. Learn strategies to build your career as a professional in communications and ensure your stories get seen, heard or read.

\'The stroke of the pen to a piece of legislation can affect peoples lives for the better or, sometimes, for the worse.\'