Success Stories

Women are finding me and recommending my services

I have found the member directory on ABN a huge benefit for me. Not only can I find other great businesses that can assist me but other women are finding me and recommending my services to other women and businesses. From this I have gained great new clients and increased the number of individuals who now know about my business and what I do. The beauty of it is that I didn't have to go anywhere, the directory did the walking for me. Thank you ABN!!

Isobel Martin - Izziana Image Consultant

Joining ABN is the best thing I've done this year...

Just wanted to say the resources and support provided through the ABN are wonderful. Joining the ABN has been one of the best things I've done this year - so thank you! Have to go now and sign up for the Sales webinar next week (The webinars are brilliant). Being part of the ABN community has provided new knowledge and terrific support whilst working 'a seul'! I am also referring all my female startup clients. Thanks again.

Anne Sorensen - Marketing is Us

The ABN has a community of amazing women with outstanding skills

Kudos to the Australian Businesswomen's Network for great connections and top talent! Last week I connected with a gal who wrote an article for your most recent issue. Impressed by her article, I explored her web site to learn more about her business. We connected via Skype and as it turns out, now plan to joint venture to add value to each other's subscriber lists. The ABN has a community of AMAZING women with outstanding skills and resources. I encourage every one to make use of this pool of abundance!

Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source

The best value for money networking group has been the Australian Businesswomen's Network

With the current economic climate I have been forced to seriously evaluate my networking dollar. Some of the current groups I belong to are costing up to $800 per year with little return on investment and involve up to two hours one way travel to attend events that I also need to pay a fee to attend. This year these ones will be going.

I have found the best value for money networking group to date has been the Australian Businesswomens Network. For a very small figure of $20 per month I am able to access a monthly webinar with topics that are very relevant to my business situation from the comfort of my office (no travel time, petrol or entry costs). I also am listed on the ABN Members Directory and have access to other member information. Additionally the opportunity exists to advertise or become a featured member in several areas at very reasonable costs. Another bonus has been taking part in the ABN MentorNet program this year. This, to me spells VALUE for money and is something I intend to stay a member of for, I hope, many years to come.

Liz Foulds - Resumes for Results

I've been encouraged and challenged to stretch further than I thought I could dare to dream

Thank You ABN! Since joining I have attended several ABN events. The love, genuine care and motivation of the women who help run this organisation is truly appreciated. They want nothing more than to help me, yes me! to develop my business and my abilities so that I can reach my dreams. I've been inspired, motivated and challenged to stretch further than I thought I could dare to dream - and it's paying off.

My highlight though has to be my Goals Group - setting up a new business is hard enough when you've been used to the corporate world. These women have been my own Executive Board, and have pushed me on, encouraged me, and celebrated with me - I love them all! ABN, you're doing a great job. We can do anything, yes anything we put our minds to.

Jeanette Harris - Strategic Minds Communications

I've made some good connections with people

I went along to an ABN event wanting to find out more about the ABN, and to hopefully make some contacts with other attendees. Both goals were realised: I found out a lot more about what the ABN offers. On top of that, it was great to have some input into what was going to be important for me.

It was also quite a good way to get to know the other businesswomen who were there, without so much of the 'selling yourself' aspect of a normal networking event. I made some good connections with people who I think will be very useful to know.

Linnet Good - goodscribble

ABN propelled me into action

The surge of energy I received after attending an ABN event
was palpable; sharing ideas, reflecting on strategies,
acknowledging benefits and being motivated by others who are actively involved women was an inspiration! It certainly propelled me into action.

Lydia Dyhin - PotatoMagic

The support, respect and encouragement has been a vital tool

The ABN has provided me with access to a network of like-minded professionals and high profile, successful and exceptional entrepreneurs willingly donating their time to speak at functions and share their successes and pitfalls. Armed with their knowledge and experience I am able to examine aspects of my own business, systems and procedures, marketing and planning strategies for growth.

Most inspiring is the number of young businesswomen I have met who are developing successful businesses. I congratulate the ABN for their active encouragement of female entrepreneurs by providing an opportunity to promote their businesses and celebrate their successes. The support, respect and encouragement from the ABN has been a vital tool to sustaining my confidence and passion to strive for my goals.

Lorraine Baker - Finesse Finance Group

Webinars are a great way for me to learn about relevant business trends

Working from home as I do, with my business partner in Brisbane and me in Canberra, webinars are a fantastic way to not only learn about relevant business trends and information, there are always a few tips that I can implement right away without much fuss and therefore, cost!

The social media sphere is still largely unknown for me, but with webinars such as these, it's not so scary and I can start to see a way forward. Thanks for the opportunity. The quality of speakers for free is a wonderful gift!

Anita McLachlan - Sequins & Sand... the spirit of summer

You encourage real conversation at the events

I've found the ABN group to be very diverse, and have met some amazing women. Many run their own businesses some run divisions of large businesses, there are people starting up and people with years of experience, and business representation across a range of industries. I enjoy the informality of the gatherings, and find that most people just want to connect, and genuinely support each other. It is unusual to encounter the business-card dealer types at ABN... which I'm sure is helped by the way the group is positioned and how you encourage real conversation at the events.

I feel fortunate that I have met some truly exceptional women through ABN who I now have the chance to build stronger relationships with.

Kate McCallum - Multiforte Financial Services

Joining the ABN was one of the best moves I made in preparing for the transition from employee to self-employed businesswoman.

Since joining in 2002 I have participated in many seminars, workshops and events that the ABN has hosted. Being profiled and having an article published in The Networker helped spread the word about my business. I have formed business relationships and developed friendships as a result of my participation in the Network. My advice is to take advantage of everything the ABN has to offer: get listed in the online directory, be profiled as a member, and submit an article for publication. Most importantly, attend the events and be an active member. Your business will benefit!

Kerrie Scott - Communication & Image Specialist

I have been a member of the ABN for more years than I can remember.

I cannot put a price on the invaluable opportunity this membership has given my business and me. From practical hands-on workshops and seminars through to networking opportunities, the ABN is something that every woman should experience no matter what her field of work. I have met many wonderful and inspiring women, some of whom have become clients and some who have become friends. With every event I am inspired and enjoy the benefit of taking away useful information that I can immediately apply to my business. I would highly recommend the ABN to all women in business as a must-have tool for success.

Cecelia Haddad - Director, Marketing Elements

I joined the ABN when I first started my business 5 years ago.

The ABN has been extremely helpful to me in that time. Like most women in their own small business, I was under-resourced and found it very isolating. Through the ABN I have built a network of women I can call on for advice in my business in all areas as well as making some fantastic friends in the process! I've learned heaps from the many seminars and talks I've been to, and these have helped provide the inspiration and motivation needed to keep going and realise I'm on the right track. I believe it is critically important for women in business to have a support structure such as the ABN as no woman is an island!

Amy Lyden - Director, Bow Wow Meow

Bow Wow Meow is the leading producer of high quality "fun" identification tags for pets with personality. After launching in 1995, we won "Best New Product" at the annual pet industry trade show Pet Expo. Bow Wow Meow now distributes to over 1000 vets and pet stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and was selected as a finalist in the Telstra NSW Small Business Awards 1998.

The ABN is an important organisation for women for several reasons.

Firstly, it provides women with the opportunity to network with other women in business to further their own. Secondly, it provides women with the opportunity to listen and learn from other women running an array of different businesses. Lastly, whenever you hear someone talk about their successful business you realise they made a courageous decision to go out on their own... and that personally inspires me to keep going when the going gets tuff!

In 1998, advertising veteran Katrina Allen decided to take on Johnson & Johnson, Sancella and other multinationals with the launch of her own range of tampons. Using her creative flair and marketing knowledge, the 32-year-old former Art Director of M&C Saatchi Sydney designed a product that was more relevant to today's woman. The result was De jour tampons that come in discreet zip lock bags. Katrina is currently developing new lines for De jour Sanitary Products and has spent the beginning of this year campaigning to have the GST removed from sanitary products.

Katrina Allen - Founder, De jour Sanitary Products

Through my involvement with the Australian Businesswomen's Network over the last four years,

I have been exposed to a cross section of business ideas and opportunities through a forum of informative speakers and seminars, particularly at the Annual Seminar and Expo Days. These opportunities have enabled me to not only learn from other businesses, but to also feel connected and in contact with the marketplace. I have felt supported by the level of camaraderie from other members - they are interested in what you are doing!

Being a member, I know I am part of a valuable resource for women, and to have this available, should you need them, is a very comforting thought." Louise has been involved with small business since 1992. Her first business was serviced offices and current business venture is Quantum Dynamics. What sets Louise Woodbury apart from most other consultants is her practical hands on experience in implementing systems. As a teacher and coach Louise has the uncanny ability to be straight, simple and communicative in an easy to understand language.

Louise Woodbury - General Manager, Quantum Dynamics

From 1996 the ABN supported me with information and support to grow my business (Gifted), before I sold it to wishlist.com.au in 2000.

After launching my new coaching and presenting business in 2002, I felt drawn again to the ABN. Within one month of resuming my membership my presence on the ABN website led to an interstate speaking engagement, which paid for my yearly membership ten-fold. Thank you ABN.

Rachel Pickworth - Business Coach, Paramount Coaching

The ABN has been a motivating resource for my business

The ABN has always been a motivating resource for my business. The Goals Group, the Events that I attend, the women that I connect with have all been inspiring, educational, supportive and have allowed my business to strategically grow in ways I couldn't have done so as the only employee of the business. The ROI from joining the ABN has definitely exceeded my expectations.

Sonia Magliocchi

Qantas Inflight channel - thanks to an ABN article

Being on the Qantas Inflight channel was on my publicity wish list and my wish came true in July 2004. When I received a phone call out of the blue asking me if I wanted to be on the program, I asked 'How did you hear about me?'

I expected the answer to be: 'We've seen your book, Promote Your Business.' or 'We've heard about your business, The M Factor (writing and training).'

Instead the reply was: 'We read an article you wrote for the Australian Businesswomen's Network on how to write an e-newsletter.'

I wrote that article three years ago!

Mary Morel - The 'M' Factor, Author of 'Promote Your Business'

Writing articles is great PR for my business

Writing articles for the ABN Newsletter is great PR for my business. Immediately I receive a number of emails signing up for my E newsletter plus I've had calls and set up meetings with potential clients and business alliances. It's a valuable resource that I'd encourage others to try if they are interested in spreading the word about their businesses. Thanks for the opportunity.

Sue Currie - Shine Communications Consultancy

I love being part of a sisterhood

I love ABN events. As a small business owner, I find it so easy to get stuck in the office and as everyone gets busier this results in more and more business done over telephone and email. I find going to ABN events is a great opportunity for me to get out of my bubble and feel part of something bigger. The inspiration and motivation from these events lasts for a long time, at least until the next event! I love being part of a sisterhood and being amongst successful women that want to share without a hint of arrogance.

Noelle Sadinsky - Fridge to Go