All Rights Reserved, Top 30 Australian female entrepreneurs 2017. publishes its list of top female entrepreneurs to coincide with International Womens Day on March 8. Its known for offering in-store classes on organisation and successful diary use. SmartCompany is the leading online publication in Australia for free news, information and resources catering to Australias entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners and business managers. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Justin Hemmes (born 27 August 1972) is an Australian businessman, . Milgrom is involved in a number of philanthropic projects and started the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, a not-for-profit with a focus on facilitating public art projects such as Melbournes MPavillion event hub. "What Airtasker is doing is part of a flexible labour movement. Scots mum begs people to stop sharing graphic footage of son's violent attack. Retired civil servant William. Naomi Simson founded experience and rewards company RedBalloon in 2001, and in the time since has become one of the most recognisable Australian entrepreneurs. Here are SmartCompanys top female entrepreneurs for 2017: Company: Harvey Norman owner Kate Armstrong Multi-millionaire owner Kate Armstrong, founder of Confused.com, bought Cassillis House in Ayrshire for 3million back in 2009 and has spent a whopping 6.5million refurbishing it. "I think they don't look that bad," he told 7.30. Kate Armstrong - the Australian founder of price comparison site. I kind of was always dedicated to this path.". However, when you walk into a Harvey Norman store you know you will experience how to live a connected life, she said. Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires rankings tracks the daily ups and downs of the world's richest people. Mecca Brands started out as one cosmetics store in South Yarra in the 1990s, but has since grown into a network of 75 stores in Australia and New Zealand, across four different concepts. Established: 1963 Year Financial Review Rich List Forbes Australia's 50 . And because I guess we had so many lockdowns here (in Melbourne), we got to see it predictably happen. The business now books corporate travel, with a particular focus on SMEs, for clients across Australia and New Zealand. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. But its 42-year-old founder told 7.30 her $400 million company still feels like a start-up. Established: 2000 Gaining a real connection with your customers and being able to give back on a daily business is the most satisfying part of operating a business, she said. Filming with Caroline was great fun. the inspiration for the designs came from speaking to staff on the ground. "It was definitely a struggle for me to get access to funding, and I think there is still a lot of resistance to it now," she said. Its a unique home and commands your attention. Kate explained: The builders uncovered this when they were working to unblock one of the 15 chimneys. It is one of112 rooms on the property, which took Mrs Armstrong four years to restore, Mrs Armstrong spent millions of pounds giving the neglected property a 21st-century makeover, including the kitchen which features wooden cabinets and modern lighting fixtures, The castle has 13 bedrooms, seven of which are luxurious en-suites. Kate Armstrong's (right) mammoth four-year restoration project saw many historical features retained including a 15th century staircase and a two-storey front dating between 1830 and 1832, Rich red curtains and carpets add warmth to this grand room, which features painted exposed beams on the ceiling. now serves more than 65,000 people around Australia after growing 50% year-on-year during its first decade. Controversy came when Kate took legal action to evict a sheep farmer who refused to quit his home of 13 years on the 295-acre estate. Iris Lustig-Moar and Max Moar remain directors of the business, which has recently developed the ORR apartment development in Melbournes Caulfield North. It hadnt been touched for a long time and there were so many issues to tackle. Karlsson says she was driven to start the business because she wanted a job that would allow her to be excited driving to work on a Monday morning. Working closely with over 200 staff allowed me to immerse myself in the brand as well as understand the functionality required for various parts of the business, she said of the creative process. In 2016s season, Allis invested in such projects as dress rental business Your Closet and took a 25% stake in shoewear business Two Shoe, which makes thongs that convert to closed-toe shoes. Like all business owners, Spencer knows what its like to wear many hats, especially when it comes to managing the companys 50 plus staff. Revenue $3.03 billion (with Gerry Harvey). Founded: 2000 Established: 1986 Simon's net worth of $230 Million makes him the second richest Aussie in the technology market for 2012. Established: 1980 The list is published annually in January in an online format and updated daily, also online. The restoration project also unearthed a secret room that had been bricked up. Retired detective Allan Jones claims Sinclair should have been tried for the murders Anna Kenny, Hilda McAuley and Agnes Cooney. Revenue: $33 million. Two words showed something was wrong with the system, After centuries of Murdaugh rule in the Deep South, the family's power ends with a life sentence for murder, Flooding in southern Malaysia forces 40,000 people to flee homes, Rare sighting of bird 'like Beyonce, Prince and Elvis all turning up at once', When Daniel picked up a dropped box on a busy road, he had no idea it would lead to the 'best present ever', Labor's pledge for mega koala park in south-west Sydney welcomed by conservation groups. From a typing school with just nine students, Sarina Russo has grown her business to one of Australias largest provider of employment and apprenticeship services. Despite her success at Adore Beauty, Ms Morris told 7.30 she still faces hurdles as a female founder in Australia. Company: Hancock Prospecting We spent our budget and much more but the most expensive room was the kitchen, which flooded because it is in the basement. Needless to say, the results weren't entirely surprising. Since then, the Heat Group has gone from strength to strength, pulling in upwards of $130 million revenue each year, and selling 20 units of product every minute. 15 Under 40: The Youngest Billionaires On The 2021 Forbes 400 Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Hershey's Canada releases HER for SHE bars featuring a trans activist, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Do not sell or share my personal information. "It was just me in my garage, with my cat, hoping that I would get an order and packing it up myself, and putting it in the little cart and taking it up to the post office every day. At the time of the acquisition, Franklin told. One tenant has now accused Armstrong and her husband Malcolm of instigating a "new Highland clearance" on the estate they bought for an estimated 2.5 million. Revenue: $320.6 million*. In addition to making more money each day, Kate Armstrong is becoming more well-known. I was a 22-year-old girl trying to break into the financial services sector, which is still dominated by men today, she said. Mining magnate Gina Rinehart slips to third place on SmartCompanys list in 2017, having been ranked second in 2016 and holding first place between 2012 and 2015. Top 30 Australian female entrepreneurs 2017 - SmartCompany Gina Rinehart. Her success has not gone unnoticed either, with Creswell winning the Telstra Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2012, and making SmartCompanys Top Female Entrepreneurs list three years running. Katie Page Company: Harvey Norman Established: 1982 Revenue $3.03 billion (with Gerry Harvey) Since 1999, Katie Page has been chief executive of electronics retailer Harvey Norman Holdings, which includes the stores and franchises of Harvey Norman as well as furniture brands Domayne and Joyce Mayne. Russos business has also secured a number of contracts with state and federal governments through both the Jobactive program and the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, although these contracts were the subject of controversy earlier this year after it emerged former federal Health Minister Sussan Ley made expenses claims for travel associated with attending functions hosted by Russo. You can opt-out at any time. Revenue: over $100 million* Penny Spencer is the managing director of successful travel booking business Spencer Travel, which she founded in 1998. "And when you're moving quickly and innovating and doing new things and building teams, it does still feel very much like a start-up.". "Following university, I was involved in various problem solving and some of those things turned into businesses.". Revenue: $2.38 billion (with David Teoh). Australia's richest 20% of households - about two million of them - have an average net worth . Recently, Simson revealed the one thing she wished she had, Established: 2010 (12 Week Body Transformation), After kick-starting her career with a television spot she secured by hounding down Channel Nine presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Bridges has gone on to star in Channel Tens, In 2016 Bridges sat down for an in-depth interview at a Business Chicks event, where she spoke of the importance of. While still a majority shareholder in TPG, Mining magnate Gina Rinehart slips to third place on. Mr Fogarty rejects the fashion crime label. Airtasker CEO Tim Fung said Australia should shout its successes "from the rooftops" and acknowledge the role of home-grown entrepreneurs and innovators. An opportunistic acquisition of competing Internet provider iiNet in late 2015 has seen TPGs revenue skyrocket, with an increase of 88% and iiNets contributing to $248.9 million in TPGs EBITDA. Cassillis House Kate Armstrong Now, Mrs Armstrong has been forced to slash the price of the Scottish castle to3.9 million (A$7m), which is 2.6 million (A$4.8m) less than what it cost to buy and renovate it. Id also say to keep learning. The comments below have not been moderated. Wrote 'The Storyteller' (2016; @PrizeRofC longlisted). Property develop Lustig and Moar was founded by Iris Lustig-Moars late father Ted Lustig and her husband, Max Moar. Taeed is also founder of New Day Box, a project to create boxes of treats and essentials to deliver to women in crisis. I used to make deliveries next to Linfox semi-trailers out the back of my little Daewoo hatchback, she says. Kate said: The production company heard I had bought the castle and was renovating it. "It was kind of really just in the very, very early days where online shopping was a bit of an idea. Meet The 11 Billionaires Cashing In On Bitcoin's Wild Rise - Forbes Revenue: $50 million* (with Tom Haikin). The company has also developed luxury apartments in St Kilda Roads Lucient tower complex and the Grand Hyatt Hotel. "If you look at e-commerce in Australia versus other more advanced markets, there's still so far to go . Sue Hollis worked for British Airways and Qantas before striking out on her own to co-found Australias largest privately-owned corporate management provider, TravelEdge. The principles with which we established the business all those years ago remain as important today as they did back then.. The rise was largely driven by higher prices of new homes, increased costs of transport and long-deferred holidays. Company: RedBalloon . Additionally, Appliance Retailer reported last year the company landed its first major sports sponsorship since 2010 with Netball NSW. At the top level, founding Managing Director Kate Armstrong, an IT consultant originally from Sydney, retired from the business in 2005, following the successful flotation of the Admiral Group. An Australian entrepreneur has been forced to slash the asking price of her Scottish castle for2.6 million (A$4.8m) less than it cost her to buy and refurbish. Heres the fix, Five ways businesses can beat the scourge of busyness and boost productivity, My Biggest Mistake: Martin Karafilis, CEO of Fishburners. Burston is a renown advocate for inspiring young and girls and women to pursue entrepreneurship and has launched a range of initiatives to drive this effort, includingRare Birdsdigital funding platform. Founded: 2005 Glasgow bakery Mortons Rolls 'ceases all trading' in huge blow to city. Established: 1939 For us, running a sales team is very much about integrity, its about the integrity of the proposition, the integrity of our people and the integrity of our fulfilment,, Revenue: $189 million* (with Bill Clarkson). But Nads is now a global company turning over $42 million, and which has even considered undertaking an initial public offering. We resisted the temptation to take on everyone. "People are starting to wear them down the street. I wish I had told my younger self that it is okay to take your time and do a job properly, Simson said in a LinkedIn video. Yenda Lee and her son Lionel Lee are at the helm of Australian electronics retail giant Bing Lee, which was founded in 1957 by her late husband Ken Lee, and his father Bing Lee. Its been close to 17 years since Lilly and Tom Haikin brought the Israeli-founded Max Brenner chocolate bars to Australia, and there are now more than 30 of the brands outlets across the country, as well as an online store for chocoholics. You then discover your true capacity and potential What you perceive, you can achieve, Russo previously told SmartCompany. Youve got 40 odd staff, and youve got direct reports, and the clients are a lot more demanding, Spencer told SmartCompany. Her success has not gone unnoticed either, with Creswell winning the, Consumers can buy Carmans in over 3000 locations nationwide, and the business currently exports to 32 different countries. One of my favourites is the ballroom. Company: Carmans Fine Foods In 2016, Williams spoke to Bloomberg about the value of integrating technology, like body scanners, into Fernwood gyms to motivate the companys clients to work towards their goals. We redesigned it and fitted a beautiful bespoke kitchen, which matches the style of the castle.. Company: MyBudget She said: I wanted to paint the outside of the castle grey but I was told it had to be yellow because thats the colour it would have been originally. Revenue: $50 million*. Established: 2000 The rise was largely driven by higher prices of new homes, increased costs of transport and long-deferred holidays. WHEN multi-millionaire internet tycoon Kate Armstrong bought a medieval Scottish castle, it wasnt just the fabric of the building she was fighting to preserve but its incredible history, too. Revenue: $250 million* The plumbing was antiquated and there was no electricity. Now a further 1.1 million has been knocked off the asking price in a bid to find a house hunter to take it off her hands. EXCLUSIVE: Yousaf, one of three candidates in the SNP leadership race, told the Record his daughter would attend a state school. Net Worth: $5.8 Billion. An asterisk shows where revenue has been estimated. Revenue: over $100 million*. Established: 1999 You need to be able to turn away people who arent going to be worthwhile, she said of the days after the global financial crisis, which First Click Consulting survived. When the business expanded to WA, Haikin reflected that Australia is full of chocoholics, according to Perth Now. "I think showcasing these [success stories]is really important, because it normalises it, and it lets people know, hey, this is something that I could do. Australian entrepreneur Kate Armstrong bought Cassillis House in Scotland back in 2009 for 3 million (A$5.6m) It took four years and 3.5 million to renovate and restore the neglected. Justin Hemmes - Wikipedia Cassillis House sold for cut-price 3.9m - The Times Revenue: $1.72 billion. Established: 1979 Australias 50 Richest 2023: Combined Wealth Surges To $213 Billion As A Dozen New Faces Join The List, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information. Along with my son Lionel and a wonderful team of dedicated people, we continue to run Bing Lee as a family business, she says. In 2014, Hollis told SmartCompanythe business model was built on ensuring honesty in the sales process. Simson is a regular motivational speaker, and was one of SmartCompanys first contributors 10 years ago. The company later pivoted to begin providing internet and mobile telephone services. Michael Read Reporter. The Lorna Jane activewear brand, launched by Lorna Jane Clarkson and her husband Bill Clarkson close to 27 years ago, has a presence of more than 200 stores across 14 countries. In 2016 Burston launched an online program with innovation expert Dr Richard Seymour to teach young children the values of entrepreneurship, telling StartupSmart its important that young people across the world get the chance to build the skills and knowledge needed to pursue things they cared about. The former Manchester United midfielder was looking to get back into the game in 2021 after leaving the Premier League club where he was working as a coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The accessory solves a daily problem encountered by owners of Frank Greens 34oz/1 litre ceramic drink bottles but the story of its design is a quirky one that involves TikTok, Bunnings and painted PVC pipes. Kate Armstrong Net Worth | Age, Height, Weight, Dating And More Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 31% to $66.1 million in the same period. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Regan's plan for Scotland to win its independence did not go down well with all attendees. Revenue: $595 million*(with Roger Gillespie). The 112 room property, which is set in 300 acres of the Ayrshire countryside, was in a state of disrepair when Mrs Armstrong bought it and she spent four years and 3.5 million (A$6.5m) renovating it. Both the Lorna Jane business and Clarkson herself have built immense social media followings and the brand is renown for its social media presence. Kate Armstrong, the Australian founder of the website, bought Cassillis House for 3 million before spending another 3.5 million restoring it. We decided to keep it open and use it as part of our new home.. The company, based in Drumchapel, has reportedly ceased all trading with its annual results currently overdue by more than two months. Twenty-three years on from launching her business, Barb de Cortis environmentally-friendly ENJO cleaning products continue to be distributed by thousands of consultants, known as ENJOpreneurs. In the business early days, Creswells mothers marketing tactic involved loudly exclaiming this is the most amazing muesli to anyone in earshot at the supermarket. Australian stand-up comic, radio show presenter, and TV personality David Hughes is a multi-millionaire. So hopefullyit'll soon be sensible office attire and our mission will be done.". With the help of architectural expert Kieran Long and social historian Dr Kate Williams, the series delves into the history of these incredible buildings, revealing past secrets and finding clues in the buildings themselves to unearth the astonishing lives of the properties. I think she thought we were nuts to buy a Scottish castle. Like other companies in the gig economy, Airtasker has faced criticism for its business model, where those who complete tasks are independent contractors who simply use the platform to connect with customers, and are not employed on a wage by the company.