“I aim to be the kind of manager that I would want to work with - available, approachable and supportive - so my team feels comfortable coming to me, as well as trying things on their own.” – Kelly Baker-Jamieson

Banks turned away when Kelly Baker-Jamieson approached them with a business plan for an edible bouquet company. Undeterred, the self-confessed chocaholic invested all her money and wore a strawberry costume on street corners to launch Edible Blooms in 2005. Demand in Brisbane for her chocolate, cookie, and fruit bouquets with next-day delivery Australia wide saw expansion within a year to Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. In 2008, Edible Blooms opened in New Zealand. Originally from country South Australia, Kelly now employs a team of 25 and offers more than 100 products, with a database of 70,000 customers. A new mother, Kelly has mentored younger sister Abbey Baker to co-run the business, which grew revenue by 30 per cent last year. Kelly is currently working on growth plans for the United Kingdom and continues to steer Edible Blooms with the philosophy that finding people with the right attitude is often more important than finding those with the best skill set.

“My success is driven by the passion I share with my team to offer the best tourism business in Australia.” – Kym Brown

Kym Brown owns three successful, award-winning tourism businesses in the Barossa Valley: Getaways Reservation Service; Treasured Memories Accommodation; and Tour Barossa, a bus tour service for small groups. Kym’s passion for tourism began 20 years ago when she experienced bed-and-breakfasts on a trip to Tasmania. In 1992, she and husband Steve established the first Treasured Memories B&B and now run 14 in the Barossa region. Kym expanded into accommodation bookings in 2001, launching South Australia’s first online service, and started winery bus tours in 2008. Total business revenue jumped more than 35 per cent last financial year. Kym attributes the growth to constantly seeking and acting on customer feedback and surrounding herself with a passionate team. Kym has especially learned the value of empowering her team of 23 staff and contractors since becoming a foster mother in 2009. She says she is inspired by her own hard-working mother, who still helps in the office at age 80.

“I am proud of my team and the way in which they have embraced the understanding that we're here for the children, not for ourselves.” – Tanya Cole

Juggling a career in recruitment and two children in the 1990s, Tanya Cole turned to nanny services for help, only to be disappointed that agency operators never visited her home. Thinking she could “do better” Tanya established nannySA in 1998, outsourcing carers from a home office. The business has since flourished into the state’s largest provider of in-home childcare and the nannySA group of companies, with more than 300 employees. The group consists of four divisions – nannySA; Bubble n’ Squeak child care centres; Green Shoes mobile crèche services; and Enhance Training and Recruitment for the childcare industry. Tanya oversees all facets of operations with four senior managers and considers her number one priority to be the happiness and safety of the 500 children in her care each week. Vice President of the National In-Home Care Association and part of the National Child Care Services Forum, Tanya has never forgotten her original inspiration, visiting each family where she places a carer.

“I always knew that to overcome the misconceptions about industrial hemp I would need a lot of patience, good humour and a strategy, not only for my business, but for the industry.” – Teresa McDowell

Teresa McDowell has taken to the steps of State Parliament to fulfil her business vision for hemp products. Since launching a range of natural, organic hemp skin care products under the label, Hemp Hemp Hooray, in 2006, Teresa has pursued her passion to gain legitimacy for industrial hemp as a beneficial product, including a food item. Her Mt Barker-based business creates 11 skin care products made with Australian-grown, organic hemp seed oil, a source of essential fatty acids and protein, plus vitamins and minerals. Products sell globally direct online and through retailers in Ireland, France and the United States. Turnover skyrocketed 60 per cent in the 09/10 financial year, largely due to a social media push, which has helped attract a global market. Teresa’s key challenge has been educating consumers and decision-makers that industrial hemp is not marijuana and has no hallucinogenic side effects. She is now lobbying food authorities to allow hemp foods to be sold in Australia.

“I put as much effort into planning and executing each catering job or function as I would if it were my own event.” – Cindy Westphalen

As owner of Cindy’s Classic Gourmet, caterer Cindy Westphalen has catered and planned hundreds of Adelaide weddings over the past 24 years. Seeing an opportunity to leverage her knowledge, Cindy this year launched the Wedding Girl iPhone app to help busy brides plan. The app allows brides to source and buy from suppliers and includes tools such as an event countdown, an interactive guest list, seating and budget planners and to-do reminders. More than 500 brides-to-be downloaded the app within five days of launch. In 2007, Cindy commenced two years in Byron Bay where she and husband John transformed their property into a holiday and wedding reception venue. With the help of dedicated staff, Cindy still managed to run the catering operations in Adelaide and grow turnover by 20 per cent. She is now extending her Wedding Girl brand with promotional events and an industry e-newsletter.

“I've learnt that I am human - I can't do it all, and the best results come from shared focus, being open to other ideas, technology and, most importantly, asking for help.” – Theressa Hines

As Global Director for Environment, Health and Safety for appliance giant Electrolux, Theressa Hines wants to ensure each of the 45,000 employees at 32 manufacturing facilities heads home uninjured. Since taking up the role in early 2010, she has driven a 30 per cent reduction in injuries across the global organisation. Previously, as Human Resources for Asia Pacific, Theressa led a drop in injury metrics at the Dudley Park site in South Australia from 69 to three, halving unplanned absenteeism and saving more than $8 million in workers compensation liability. Theressa says her human resources experience, plus qualifications in Business and Management and Occupational Health & Safety, have helped her liaise with government agencies around the world and navigate cultural nuances to deliver best-practice safety outcomes. She is a representative on the South Australian Occupational Health and Safety Board for the Australian Industry Group and sits on the State Government’s Industrial Advisory Committee, while finding time to speak on safety, human resources and industrial relations at national and international business forums.

“I still love the smell of the cellar when the wines are fermenting. It’s this love for what I’m doing that gives me the energy to put so much time and effort into my work.” – Anna Hooper

Anna Hooper’s passion for wine-making began at just age five, when she accompanied her mother to work at Petaluma Winery and fell in love with the pungent aromas and the workers’ grape-stained hands. At 13, work experience at Yalumba cemented her early interest. At 35 she is head winemaker at her husband, Derek’s, family business, Cape Jaffa Wines in the Mount Benson region, which produces and sells premium vintages. Having trained in France and South African vineyards and Harrods, London, and managed the Australian vineyard of French producer M Chapoutier, Anna has helped the business tap into a growing demand for wines with fewer additives. Soon after joining Cape Jaffa in 2003, she spearheaded the vineyard’s biodynamic certification, producing and marketing the exclusive La Lune label. While the Australian wine industry has been combating reduced exports and greater consolidation, Anna has led revenue growth of 56 per cent for La Lune throughout the past two years.

“I enjoy story-telling about ambition and collaborating with leadership teams to agree a plan for achieving success.” – Paula Luethen-Soper

Paula Luethen-Soper is passionate about coaching and developing others. With 17 years leadership experience in customer-facing areas within energy and finance sectors, Paula is currently National Change and Communication Manager for BT Financial Group (BTFG), The Westpac Group’s wealth management arm. Managing a team of 17 in three states, Paula works across divisions to align the group’s vision and business practices and is responsible for building engagement among the Customer Service division’s 1100 employees. In recent years with BTFG she has: improved customer service while reducing costs and turnaround for death, terminal illness and income protection claims; established a single, national operation for four life insurance brands, while exceeding world-best employee engagement scores; and contributed to BT’s win last year of a Customer Service Institute of Australia Best of the Best award. A keen advocate of workplace flexibility, Paula works from home two days a week to balance her career with parenting her 15-year-old daughter and 15-month old son.

“I deal with misconceptions that a female can’t communicate or understand mechanical or electrical concepts by being strong and confident in communication, and honest and open about my knowledge.” – Kristy Megaw

Despite graduating in 2003 with a double degree in Communications and Professional Writing, Kristy Megaw found she had a passion for business and logistics when she took up an analyst role with iconic South Australia retailer Harris Scarfe. Within three years she was Senior Stores Analyst and today, at 29, oversees national operations, encompassing 40 stores and 2000 employees. Managing the annual budget, Kristy stewards national procurement, assets, tendering processes and store fit-outs. Realising Harris Scarfe was hindered by a range of “non-productive, over-priced” and non-compliant contracts, she spent two years auditing and consolidating all contracts and establishing new processes. The operational overhaul has led to cost-savings, greater consistency and efficiency and, most significantly, 100 per cent Australian Code compliance in all essential services, which has also improved safety. Kristy is also Chair Person of Adelaide’s youth-based ActNow Theatre, where she lends her business acumen to help drive social change.

“In a field of law where clients are often vulnerable, it is particularly satisfying to provide outcomes that can deliver emotional and financial comfort.” – Jane Miller

Growing up in a blended family, Jane Miller was inspired to pursue a career in Family Law and help those in broken relationships find their way through the “legal minefield.” After a decade with Adelaide firm Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers (TGB), Jane, 33, was promoted last year – while on maternity leave – to Partner and head of the company’s Family Law division, the largest in South Australia. Over the past three years, she has led marketing, recruitment and training initiatives to improve productivity and outcomes within the division of 12 lawyers and five personal assistants, doubling its contribution to total company billings from eight to 16 per cent. Jane became one of the first and youngest in the state to receive Specialist Accreditation in Family Law from the Law Society in 2005 and now represents South Australia on the National Steering Committee for Specialist Accreditation for Family Lawyers. She also volunteers advice as a contributor to The Advertiser newspaper’s Family Forum section.

“I never stop learning - new technology, new trends in business, economic developments, leadership styles, different cultures, all excite me.” – Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk

An aeronautical engineer, 30-year-old Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk has found a path in a diverse range of manufacturing industries, including automotive, food and household appliances. She is currently the Asia Pacific Regional Manager for Product Continuous Improvement with Electrolux, the first role of its kind in the organisation globally. Michelle says she embraces the challenges of leading more than 2000 engineers and manufacturing staff to produce world-class appliances and implementing change programs across different cultures. Having delivered more than $5 million in production savings in her previous role at Ford Motor Company by reducing “last-minute, band-aid solutions” and waste, Michelle is now managing and already seeing results on long-term projects to drive quality improvement at Electrolux through problem-solving and capability-building. Passionate about supporting women and innovation in her field, she is National Chair of Women in Engineering and was last year appointed to the Federal Government’s Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council.

“I strive to highlight my ambition, passion and personal pride in an effort to inspire and motivate staff and attract prospective families to the school.” – Fiona Godfrey

When Fiona Godfrey became Principal at St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School in 2008, Reception-to-Year-12 enrolments were 25 per cent less than they are today. In order for the School to rebuild numbers in an increasingly competitive market in Adelaide for girls’ education, one of Fiona’s first priorities was to mount a publicity campaign to quell community concerns. She then set about boosting enrolments through a multi-faceted growth program. Fiona introduced more dynamic curriculum offerings, such as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, increased staff accountability, restructured the senior management team and established a foundation to help upgrade facilities. Enrolments for Reception to Year 12 have leapt from 481 to more than 600 in three years, while the ELC has grown from 90 to 130 students. Significantly, the budgeted surplus has catapulted by more than three quarters of a million dollars since 2008, while the school’s foundation has also raised more than $1.2 million.

“I called for Council to be bold when planning the new library and secure the gains that could be made, unwavering in my belief that libraries are the building blocks of a strong community.” – Cathryn Harris

Library Manager Cathryn Harris believes Mount Gambier has one of the best libraries in the world and now receives enquiries from other librarians to help them design and revamp their facilities. Determined to change the traditional perception of libraries, Cathryn convinced Mount Gambier City Council in 2005 to invest $10 million in transforming what was a small, information outlet into a vibrant cultural, social and technology hub. She then travelled Australia and New Zealand to borrow and build on the best concepts for Mount Gambier. Cathryn advocated for a community lounge, coffee shop, the latest technology to alleviate youth boredom, more exciting children’s programs and a self-checkout system so librarians could focus on engaging visitors and running activities. The new library now attracts more than 40,000 visitors a month, up 400 per cent from 2005, and non-fiction loans have increased 300 per cent, despite most libraries seeing a decline due to e-books.

“I developed the Green Shoes concept after attending a training seminar with many empty seats, because part-time staff hadn't been able to find childcare.” – Tanya Cole

Already running three businesses in the childcare industry as part of her NannySA Group, Tanya Cole saw an opening for a fourth. Last year, she launched Green Shoes, a mobile crèche service for corporate, government and private events. Having offered nanny services for 13 years, she had observed many working parents wrestling with how they could attend events, such as weddings, or make training sessions and workshops outside their normal work schedule. Although weddings provided the launch platform, Tanya says Green Shoes has gained popularity with employers, who benefit from having all staff present at key events, while employees know their children are being cared for professionally and without time restraints. The business dovetails nicely with Tanya’s other childcare services under the NannySA banner, allowing her to leverage existing staff and skills. Tanya is making plans to franchise Green Shoes, with more employers seeking ways to gain the most from employees while recognising the importance of family.

“It is my desire to continue to build the best school in Adelaide, not only in terms of student results but in the sort of young women it develops.” – Fiona Godfrey

When St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School Principal Fiona Godfrey first took the job at the beginning of 2008, she was driven to implement new initiatives for long term growth and sustainability. Last year, the School opened a $4.8 million Arts Centre at the school and is poised to launch the St Peter’s Girls’ School Arts Academy (SPAA), one of the only excellence programs of its kind in the region. Having revitalised the Stonyfell school through a rigorous growth program, Fiona saw the opportunity to create a unique drawcard and further bolster enrolments by building on the school’s already-extensive performing arts expertise. Set to open in next school year, the academy will offer high-quality dance, drama and music programs as part of its curriculum to St Peter’s Girls’ students, and extend tutoring to students at other schools. Fiona is currently exploring opportunities for academy students to complete units of practice towards a Theatrical Studies qualification.

“No longer places where everyone has to be quiet, libraries are busy information centres that focus on customers and offer a place to meet friends for coffee, use the Internet and, of course, find the latest thriller.” – Cathryn Harris

Believing a library is much more than books in a building, Mount Gambier Library Manager Cathryn Harris has created an exciting community hub that invites discovery. After convincing the Council in 2005 that it needed to invest $10 million in a complete library revamp, Cathryn set about gathering ideas and inspiration for programs to draw, involve and enthral her community. The Mount Gambier Library is now designed on the latest book retailing trends, with a fully integrated cafe, giving it the look and feel of a social bookstore. Its community offerings include: mentoring workshops where at-risk youth meet local business people; reading and play sessions for children and babies; IT lessons; family history programs; and Sunday farmers markets. A self checkout system was also installed to free staff for community activities. Cathryn says employees have embraced the changes through retraining and increased job satisfaction. Most importantly, library visits have increased four-fold since Cathryn’s changes were implemented.

“It can be challenging to find time and capital resources to develop new products in a small business, so passion and determination become crucial to making it happen.” – Anna Hooper

When Anna Hooper joined her husband’s family winery, Cape Jaffa, in 2003, she brought with her specialist skills and an eye for opportunity. Having worked in France and managed the Australian vineyard for prestigious French producer M Chapoutier, Anna had trained in biodynamic techniques, where a more organic approach is used to produce the grapes and wine. She saw the growth potential for this method among more discerning and health-conscious Australian wine consumers and produced Cape Jaffa’s La Lune range, one of the first biodynamic certified wines in South Australia. The wine is treated carefully in the cellar to maintain very low levels of sulphur -dioxide preservative, making them more suitable for sulphur-sensitive consumers. The La Lune label is also one of the few that vegans can enjoy, with no animal-derived agents. Maintaining a unique, environmental approach throughout, La Lune wines feature an unbleached cotton label that has helped distinguish them among high-end retailers and their customers.

“I want to provide long term employment to the dedicated team who have supported me and I want to see Edible Blooms as a global player, not just next year, but in ten years time.” – Kelly Baker-Jamieson

Kelly Baker-Jamieson did not just start a business when she began creating fresh fruit bouquets in 2005, she spawned an entirely new gift category. She launched Edible Blooms in Brisbane while also leading the marketing team at a large legal firm. Within a year, Kelly had also opened stores in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, expanding her product range to chocolate bouquets and next day delivery all over Australia. New Zealand expansion followed in 2008. The next logical step for many businesses might have been franchising but Kelly opted for less saturation and more sustainable growth via an extensive delivery service and a small network of company-owned stores. At 33, Kelly employs a team of 25, all of whom benefit from a bonus structure that she introduced to drive and recognise performance and help manage business costs. With revenue growth averaging around 35 per cent per annum over the past three years, is Kelly is now planning her expansion to the United Kingdom.

“As a leader, I think the most important factor is to lead by example. My own approach to work is consistent with the standards I expect from the team.” – Anna Hooper

Anna Hooper did work experience at Yalumba winery five years before she was legally able to take a sip. The 35-year-old has since trained in Australia, France, England and South Africa, joining husband Derek in 2003 at Cape Jaffa Wines in Mount Benson, where she manages a portfolio of 19 premium wines. Anna became one of the youngest makers in Australia to be certified in biodynamic techniques – the making of wine with minimal interference – which she believes is the industry’s future. Her 2007 La Lune Cabernet recently won a gold medal. She has developed a robust business strategy, which includes an environmental plan, renewed focus on profitable lines and the removal of unprofitable sales channels, so Cape Jaffa can fend off threats posed by a high Australian dollar and retail conglomeration. A keen educator, Anna presented on biodynamics at a Wine Industry Sector Agreement on Climate Change conference, is Treasurer of the Mt Benson Vigneron’s Association and sits on the South East Natural Resource Management Board.