After 12 years in the financial industry, Michelle Beakley established a small accredited childcare centre called Care Bears Cottage in 2004. Michelle has overseen rapid growth in the business and now employs 12 staff and cares for 34 children. Creating a ‘home away from home’ is a strong ideal Michelle has carried from her opening days at the Care Bears Cottage centre. Michelle is guided by the practices of childhood philosophers, her passion for research and expanding her staff’s knowledge, all of which has contributed to the success of the centre. Michelle takes genuine responsibility for the protection and safety of children in her daily care and says families are always welcomed personally by friendly staff. In addition to her daily business responsibilities, Michelle provides information for families on early childhood issues, and raises funds for the Cancer Council of Tasmania and Muscular Dystrophy Association of Tasmania.

Angela Lawler’s aspirations to run her own businesses were ever-present during a 19-year career as a registered nurse in acute, community and aged care. After owning a commercial cleaning business and a baby goods shop, Angela left full-time nursing in 2004 to establish a pet grooming business in Hobart that has grown way beyond her expectations. Angela is owner-manager of Woofer’s Dog Grooming, which has grown from a mobile business to opening salons in Rokeby in 2007, Blackmans Bay in 2009 and Moonah in 2010. She is an innovator in dog grooming services in Tasmania, offering grooming by appointment, open-view salons, an all-weather mobile van grooming service and state-of-the-art pet safety equipment during grooming. Angela also opened the State’s first dog boutique. A member of professional pet industry and pet grooming groups, Angela’s long-term aspiration is to continue to pass on her experience by opening Tasmania’s first dog grooming school.

Robyn Lewis is CEO and founder of VisitVineyards.com, a culinary travel guide launched in 2002. The website connects more than 30,000 businesses in regional Australia from the wine, food and tourism industries. Its culinary calendar and information on tours, accommodation and events enables travellers to plan and maximise the benefits of visits to vineyards in all States – targeting a market of five million annual visitors to Australian vineyards. Robyn is an economist and natural life scientist who spent 10 years as a consultant to organisations such as the World and Asian Development Banks and 15 years in the private sector in business development and brand management. She says VisitVineyards.com has 27,000 subscribers and outranks the popularity of four State tourism websites. Robyn is growing her market through business to business alliances such as recent signings with the Royal Automobile Clubs of Victoria and Tasmania which have 2.2 million members combined. VisitVineyards.com has 12 employees across Australia.

Through dance and fitness, Teena O’Keefe unites families in the community and passes on her passion in life. As the owner of Dance Fit, she has grown her business from 60 students in 2006 to more than 400 children and 200 adults in 2010. Teena contracts six instructors to her dance school. Spurred on by the increasing health issues faced by Australians, Teena created an affordable, family-orientated, enjoyable option that allows people of all ages to access a healthy lifestyle. Inspired by a European dance fitness trend, Teena has expanded her business from the local district of Launceston to the East Coast of Tasmania. Teena stays at the forefront of industry dance fitness trends and continues to expand her team’s knowledge and skill. Dance Fit was the first school to bring Zumba classes to Launceston – more than 100 adults participate in the classes each week.

Patricia Reid has led a diverse professional life from hair-dressing in 1975 to government positions in child protection agencies from 1995. With a newly found aspiration to connect the world with Tasmanian’s quality produce, Patricia own and runs the thriving retail business Providore 24. Opening the doors to Providore 24 in 2004, Patricia facilitates access to the outstanding local and state produce and designer goods. Patricia has faced challenges along the way, firstly losing her partner three months after starting their first successful business Ye Olde Chocolate Shop, followed by a personal battle with breast cancer some years later. Since Patricia’s move to Stanley in 1999, she has been an active member of the local community with her business significantly adding to the town’s economic growth and its reputation as a desirable tourist destination. Patricia now plans to build a commercial kitchen to produce signature gourmet foods.

Property entrepreneur Kristi Seymour is owner and managing director of 41 Degrees Real Estate, a niche-market agency focusing on residential property sales within 10 kms of Launceston’s CBD. Between 1996, when Kristi was aged 19, and 2003, she bought, renovated and sold 18 houses. Kristi obtained her real estate sales licence in 2003 and three years later established 41 Degrees Real Estate. The business won the Real Estate Institute’s awards as Tasmania’s Best Small Residential Agency from 2007-09. Kristi says she consciously created a culture among the all-women sales team that promotes teamwork to compete with other agencies rather than internal rivalries. She says 41 Degrees Real Estate is well placed to target property buyers among professional women and emerging market segments such as Generation Y. Kristi recently diversified into commercial development by building a four-shop, two-apartment complex next to her East Launceston real estate agency.

Jane Bennett’s career in cheese making began in 1988 when she studied dairy technology followed by two years making Farmhouse Cheese in the UK. In 1992, Jane returned to Tasmania and started work on the development of Ashgrove Cheese, which has grown to become a popular Australian cheddar cheese producer. As Managing Director, Jane is focused on growth and business management and is responsible for sales and marketing. The business has grown rapidly in the past three years with cheese sales doubling and turnover increasing by more than 220 per cent. In addition to her work in the family business, Jane acts as a mentor for food businesses in the community and has undertaken work with the Government including involvement in Food Industry Councils, Trade Policy development, Community Consultation and Telecommunications Inquiries. Her vision is to continue to grow the business as an innovative dairy manufacturer focused on creating products that meet changing consumer demands.

During her past 12 years with KPMG Tasmania, Shona Ollington has risen from a graduate accountant to a manager, and for the last three years to Senior Manager. KPMG Tasmania is a regional practice of the KPMG global firm that provides accounting, audit and advisory services. Contributing to the management of 60 employees statewide within the Private Enterprise division in Hobart and Launceston, Shona’s role includes advisory services, workflow management, monitoring financial targets, mentoring, training, and performance management. During her time with KPMG she has been a key driver in the development of the Business Valuations division which has brought significant growth to high-value services within KPMG Tasmania. She has also instigated high school recruitment practices to secure staff before the competition. Shona has a Bachelor of Commerce, is a chartered accountant and is currently completing a Masters of Applied Finance.

Beginning her professional life as a police officer, Julia Fassina was determined to be part of the community and for the past 12 years has held project management and senior positions for a wide range of community groups. This has seen her receive a Churchill Fellowship and be selected to deliver drug education in Indonesia. Working for organisations including The Smith Family, Drug Education Network, Lead On Australia and Mental Health, she now holds the position of Statewide General Manager for the commercial and community arms of Royal Life Saving Tasmania. Julia has played an integral role in the implementation of the First Aid in a Box, a flexible training program that allows individuals to gain a first aid qualification, a product that has proven particularly popular in rural and remote areas. Julia is responsible for the overall delivery of services to meet community needs and is committed to promoting water education.

As the Business Development Manager for the not-for-profit organisation Fruit Growers Tasmania (FGT), Lucy Gregg is responsible for local, national and international market expansion for Tasmanian fruit growers. As a conduit between industry, the organisation and government departments, she has assisted in opening new export markets for the growers. Lucy’s success has already resulted in new markets in Japan, South Korea and China. This has helped the industry forge multi-million dollars projects that support the future of the Tasmanian fruit industry. FGT is now nationally recognised as a highly successful industry organisation, which has also seen a significant increase in memberships and sponsorships. Lucy’s involvement in agriculture began after receiving an award of excellence in the Study of Horticulture (B Ap Sc). Lucy’s dedication and result driven achievements with FGT have earned her respect within the fruit industry.

Carolyn Pillans, who joined Hobart Water in January 2006 as Board Secretary and Executive Manager Governance, now operates as Corporate Secretary of the four Tasmanian Water and Sewerage Corporations. Carolyn has played an integral role in building the new Tasmanian water and sewerage industry, by developing its corporate governance framework and providing high level advice on the industry governance model, annual insurance portfolio, legislative compliance and legal services to the four Boards, Committees and management teams. Her success at Tasmanian Water and Sewerage Corporations is one of a string of business achievements. She also helped turn a fledgling local training business, into one that grew to three states with a turnover of $1 million per annum. Earlier in her career at the age of 23, Carolyn became the first woman to be appointed to manage a bank branch in Tasmania.

For the past 20 years Amanda Quealy has committed to the development of the health and human services sector with a goal of improving people’s quality of life. Describing herself as a change agent within the health industry, Amanda has worked in the public and corporate health sector, including managing aged care and retirement village developments in Australia and China and founding a community care business. In 2008, Amanda moved her family to Tasmania to take on the position of CEO within the Hobart Clinic – a private, not-for-profit mental health service. As CEO Amanda reports directly to the Board of Directors and is involved in all aspects of the organisation from finance and admin through to clinical care. Along with a Bachelor in Economics and a degree in Social Work, Amanda is an Associate Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Executives and has recently completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in corporate governance.

Gail Wilson had worked her way up from an entry level role to a branch manager at a bank, before being head hunted to take a role at a local community recruitment organisation, O group. A decade later, O group has become the state’s largest not-for-profit, with an annual turnover of more than $28 million. As Executive Manager of Corporate Services, Gail’s primary objective is to develop and implement HR policies and procedures, with a key focus in culture development. Gail’s leadership in this area and the organisation’s family-friendly work practices contributed to O group being named on the honour roll of the Tasmanian Government’s Employer of Choice Award in 2009. In 2003 annual staff turnover at O group was 38 per cent leading to loss of productivity and corporate knowledge. Gail drove a cultural action plan within the organisation that resulted in a substantial reduction in staff turnover to 18 per cent within 12 months.

When Ashgrove Cheese first began, Jane Bennett was involved in all aspects of the family business from packing the cheese to managing the retail shop. Now Managing Director, with a team of 60 people, Jane is also behind the development of new product innovations to present Ashgrove Cheese as an industry market leader. In 2002 Jane pioneered wasabi flavoured cheese, despite existing market research advising it would not sell, within six months it was their most popular selling cheese. Jane also introduced a new packaging for retail cheese products - sample sizes in a mixed pack. The selection packs allow customers to trial unfamiliar cheeses which contributed to a 30 per cent growth in sales of the full sized retail cheese. Jane has also initiated the development of a new product line of fresh bottled milk with an extended shelf life of 13 to 45 days, enabling sales of fresh milk to interstate markets and significantly expanding sales opportunities.

For five years Lucy Gregg worked voluntarily as an Executive member of the not-for-profit organisation Fruit Growers Tasmania, before attaining her current fulltime position of Business Development Manager. In this role, Lucy drove the development of the Farm Gate Guide for Tasmanian fresh fruit, which helped consumers connect with small fruit growers. Since its launch in 2008, farm gate sales have increased by approximately 10 per cent of state production. By 2009, participation and the print run of Farm Gate Guide had increased by 50 per cent. Lucy says initiatives such as the Guide are critical to helping the organisation maximise profits and opportunities for all Tasmanian fruit growers. Sharing her knowledge beyond agriculture, Lucy now is developing a business plan for an afterschool/vocational care learning program. In a fun welcoming environment, the program is to develop an aptitude in science, language and other skills for gifted students aged 7-12 years.

Robyn Lewis, CEO and Founder of VisitVineyards.com from 2002, created the first aggregated online portal for the culinary tourism industry. Providing financial advantage to regional business, Robyn united more than 30,000 regional growers, wine and food producers, and accommodation hosts. This portal enables travellers to plan and maximise their visits across states boundaries. It also enhances international awareness of regional Australia and provides exclusive culinary travel experiences. Having recognised the demands from approximately 5 million visitors to Australian vineyards each year, Robyn now plans to expand her market to an additional 2.2 million motorists through her newly established alliances with the Royal Automobile Clubs of Victoria and Tasmania. The thriving business has also seen an expression of interest from Qantas Frequent Flyers. VisitVineyards.com used its brand awareness to raise $25,000 in one month for the Victorian Bushfires Appeal in 2009.

Senior Manager Shona Ollington has brought significant improvement to KPMG Tasmania operations, including the development of new services offered to the global consulting firm’s clients. In 2006 Shona identified a niche business opportunity for the provision of expert business valuation services within Tasmania. With the development of a valuations team, KPMG is now the leading business valuations service provider in Tasmania and the first recognised regional KPMG practice to provide valuation advice and services. Shona, who has been with KPMG for 12 years, has also introduced a new recruitment strategy to KPMG targeting high school students, enabling KPMG to lock-in talent earlier than competitors. Shona is currently completing a Masters of Applied Finance and in her spare time volunteers with the Make a Wish Foundation.

Abyilene McGuire, 28, became the youngest Senior Environmental Health Officer in Tasmania, when she was appointed to the role by Kingborough Council just three years after gaining her qualifications. During 2007-2008, Abyilene co-ordinated the development of the Bruny Island Water Supply. Her innovative approach provided an outcome that has now been used as a showpiece for other communities with similar water supply issues. Within the Kingborough Council, Abyilene also oversees projects in food safety regulation, waste-water, pandemic preparedness, air and water quality, and immunisations. She has served eight years on the State Board of Environmental Health Australia and co-convened the organisation’s 2009 national conference. Abyilene’s achievements have been recognised by being Tasmania’s National Ambassador for the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government. She was also a 2009 finalist in the Young Australian of the Year Award and won the Local Government Managers ‘Aspiring Young Manager’ Excellence Award.

Tackling growing obesity among Australians, Teena O’Keefe united the concept of dance, fitness and family fun. As owner of Dance Fit since 2006, she employs six instructors and has more than 400 children enrolled and 200 adults attending classes. After abruptly closing the doors to Dance Fit in late 2009 while she overcame serious personal illness, Teena found that 95 per cent of her students returned when she reopened for business in 2010. Teena, 34, is an inspiring mentor to her instructors and students and says she strongly believes in promoting a healthy lifestyle with fun and flair. A qualified fitness instructor and winner of the Tasmanian and Australian Young Secretary of the Year in 1996-97, Teena has a keen interest in fundraising for the Cancer Council. She holds an annual event for the Relay for Life, called Teena’s Fight Club.

At 33 years of age, Shona Ollington has progressed through the ranks of professional accountancy services business KPMG to Senior Manager and is the most senior woman within the Private Enterprises division which has a turnover of $6 million. Throughout her period of management, Shona has overseen significant improvement in personal and professional staff development including the implementation of a culture programme called ‘Investment in Excellence’. As a result of this program, staff turnover has decreased significantly and personal accountability, drive and staff utilisation has increased to record levels for the company. Over the last three years she has developed a business valuation division which has enabled KPMG to provide a high level of specialist advice to clients. KPMG Tasmania has become the first regional KPMG practice to attain business valuation accreditation by the national KPMG practice. Shona aims to grow this part of the advisory business and continue to outsource to other KPMG practices.

Kristi Seymour, 33, says the values and interests of her team at 41 Degrees Real Estate drive the business’s support for community and philanthropic projects and its encouragement of wider business and community support for these causes. In October 2007 the all-woman business decided to support breast cancer awareness by raising funds for research into the disease. 41 Degrees Real Estate donated a total of $17,000 based on $1000 from every commission earned that month. The initiative was broadened by initiating and sponsoring an annual 41 Degrees Five Kilometre Fun Run in 2009 – bringing positive brand awareness for the business as well as working with customers and the community on an issue of shared concern. In June 2010, Kristi led a team of 24 friends and family on a working holiday to Cambodia to build houses for poor families through the Tabitha Foundation. More than $30,000 was raised to fund 15 houses, wells and cottage industries.