Women in Business Woman of the Month
Woman of the Month - July 2009
Name: Sandra Foote
Business: Relish Gourmet Hampers
Website: http://www.relishgourmet.com.au
Relish Gourmet is Perth’s only Gourmet Gift and Experience Company. They have over 4 years experience delivering amazing gifts to Australian businesses. Not only can you buy a gourmet hamper online but soon they will be adding experiences online. These include:
• Winemaker for a day at a famous Swan Valley winery;
• Flight simulation;
• Cooking classes;
• Pamper packages at Perth’s leading Day Spas.
How are we different to other hamper companies?
• We have a store in Osborne Park where you can purchase items individually, view our hampers or design your own.
• Choose from over 400 product lines on display in store.
• 99% of hamper products and wines are Australian made
• Relish Gourmet offers complimentary branding
• Launching EXPERIENCES on our website in July
End of Financial Year Tip
Do you give your staff and clients gifts at Christmas time? Why not stand out from the crowd and send your client gifts in July. Imagine your clients or staff’s surprise when they receive a gift from you in July with a message such as this one:
‘Thank you for your support and we look forward to another successful year!’
Has your client learnt to expect a gift from you at Christmas? If yes then do something EXTRAORDINARY and say THANKS now. Just remember they probably receive other gifts at Christmas but almost NONE in July. Get noticed with a great gift from Relish Gourmet.
Special Offer for Women In Business WA Members only
Buy any 5 hampers and receive a BONUS hamper. (Bonus Hamper will be of equal or lesser value of the cheapest hamper). We will also deliver FREE to your office when you mention WIB WA. Remember you must be a member to receive this offer. Valid till July 31st.
Woman of the Month - June 2009
Name: Concetta Sultan
Business: Admin Express Book-keeping & Administration Service
Website: http://www.adminexpress.com.au
Now celebrating her 10th year in business, Concetta Sultan founder of Admin Express Book-keeping & Administration Service proudly continues providing small to medium size businesses with useful and accurate financial information through MYOB book-keeping tools, systems and expertise needed to run a successful business.
Through her own vast business experience, book-keeping skills and organisational skills, Concetta and her team now assist her clients reach their full potential by providing accurate, reliable, on time, every time, efficient book-keeping and admin services. Her services and her ability to understand business owners and their needs, helps make running her clients business much easier for them.
Concetta’s working career commenced in the Insurance and Accounting industries and then later in 1990 she began her journey in the world of business ownership. During this period she developed and operated a couple of successful Cafes and a Painting & Decorating business in Perth, WA.
Over those years she obtained a wealth of knowledge and practical know how and with this and additional training, she set out in 1999 to help other business owners to implement efficient procedures and systems that would not only carry out all the book-keeping obligations and requirements of a business, provide accurate reports for business planning and development, but also to set up easy to understand accounting systems.
Woman of the Month - May 2009
Name: Lizzie Skesteris
Business: Bang! Online Marketing
Website: www.bangonline.com.au
Lizzie started at Bang! Online Marketing in January 2008, with no prior experience in online marketing, has flourished into a skilled and knowledgable online marketer. In her time at Bang! Online Lizzie has acquired her Google Advertising Professional qualification and travelled to New York for Ad:Tech, a worldwide online marketing convention.
Bang! Online provides online/digital marketing services and products that help businesses of all industries realise their online objectives and deliver measurable results. Bang! Online does this by using technologies and techniques such as search engine optimisation (SEO), search engine marketing (Google Adwords), email marketing, online marketing consulting, online strategy development, conversion improvement, banner advertising and more.
Renae Lunjevich, Bang! Online Marketing's Managing Director says Lizzie is a "star member of our expanding team" and is "extremely passionate and motivated to learn more in this exciting industry". "Lizzie is one of our longer standing staff members, and has been an integral part of growing Bang! Online into the thriving company that it is today" says Renae.
Lizzie also provides support services to Women in Business WA by assisting with email campaigns on other online marketing activities.
Woman of the Month - April 2009
Name: Ava Lucanus
Business: Edge Telephone Training
Website: www.edgetelephone.com.au
Ava has always felt a strong passion for customer service and people skills and was naturally drawn to training, after three decades of working in customer service roles in the banking, retail and travel industries, as well as her own business in direct marketing and promotions.
Ava started training in 1999 to service the telecommunications industry, and by 2006, recognising the vast need for businesses to up-skill their staff in communicating effectively with their customers, had evolved the business to its current form.
Edge Telephone Training specialises in training businesses around people skills, whether it be over the phone or face to face. Ava has helped many Perth businesses to achieve their customer service standards, developing more profitable and rewarding businesses.
Edge is continually evolving, as good communication skills benefit so many areas in business - not only reception, but will enhance sales, despatch, accounts and the list goes on. Anyone who deals with customers in any area of the business will benefit from improving their skills, to maintain consistency, ensuring that every customer gets treated with the same positive attitude. Customer service is measured entirely by the customer's own experience and it's of no benefit having your Receptionist answer the call politely when the accounts or despatch person ends up offending them and losing their business.
Studies have shown that businesses that actively train their staff in communication skills attract and retain more customers and experience a higher level of staff satisfaction.
Ava's favourite quote is from Albert Einstein and sums up our changing times...
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity".
Ava realises the value in networking in small business and will be delighted to offer her services free of charge, as a guest speaker for your next event.
Ava can be contacted on 9200 2290 or 0412 135 855.
Woman of the Month - March 2009
Name: Karen Kotze
Business: The Bodhi Tree
Website: www.bodhitree.net.au
The seeds of The Bodhi Tree were planted in Karen's mind in 2003, and the last five years have seen the business grow slowly and steadily, from a glass cabinet full of books on the office wall in 2006, to an online bookstore in 2008, and finally maturing into a magnificent book café to open in Mt Hawthorn on 1st April this year.
Karen is passionate about the philosophy of The Bodhi Tree, with her core focus being to fill a need that exists in our community for a more purposeful and conscious way of life.
So the book café is all about becoming more mindful of why we do things the way we do and questioning whether there is a better way - a way that can help others at the same time, care for the planet and contribute to our overall wellbeing.
In our current situation of changing climate and unstable economies it is essential that we remember what it is to care for each other, as this is what keeps our own spirit strong and healthy. With this philosophy at heart, the Bodhi Tree book café will be a place of refuge, enlightenment and inspiration - in short, a great place to hang out!
The bookstore will provide books and products related to personal and professional development. The café will offer food and drinks that are Fair Trade, organic as possible, low fat and utterly chemical-free. There will be a special corner for local musicians, poets and philosophers to share their mojo. Talks, book-signings and workshops will also be scheduled.
Karen previously owned and ran an African art retail and export business in Zambia for 14 years, from 1983 to 1997. The business began as a small retail store on the outskirts of the city centre and expanded rapidly to become Zambia's largest exporter of African ethnic art and craft, with a large retail store in the heart of the city.
Woman of the Month - February 2009
Name: Debra Webb
Business: Dictatum Transcription Services
Website: www.dictatum.com.au
Debra Webb operates Dictatum Transcriptions Services from her home in the northern suburbs. Deb started the business as she wanted the flexibility to work and to be available to care for her twin sons. What started as a small secretarial service, servicing local clients in 2007, has now blossomed into a national transcription service. Clients range from government departments, barristers and solicitors, authors, researchers and local businesses.
Dictatum offers an outsourcing solution to save businesses time and money as outsourcing your typing is a cost effective alternative to hiring permanent or temporary staff. We assist with small one off jobs, overflow typing or regular transcription services. Clients then only pay for our time, there are no costly staff fees or overheads.
We offer tape and digital file transcription and audio files can be delivered electronically, therefore no courier or postage fees. Most of the work is personally typed by Debra but Debra has access to a capable and experienced team of typists if the need arises. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offer excellent turnaround times. Confidentiality is also assured with all client information and an agreement can be signed to assure clients of their complete privacy.
Debra has over 25 years experience in secretarial and administrative roles and runs her business with passion and excitement. "There is nothing better than working at home and being able to work around my family. Something I should have done long ago".
Woman of the Month - January 2009
Name: Sharon Brown
Business: The International House of Feng Shui
Website: www.completefengshui.com
Sharon Brown was first introduced to Feng Shui in the mid 1990's, and after winning a trip to Singapore through a radio show, made the decision to take on Feng Shui as a career. Sharon's formal education into Feng Shui commenced with Master Raymond Lo of Hong Kong at the beginning of 2001.
Feng Shui is about improving and enhancing different aspects of a home or business, such as health, wealth and prosperity and to weaken negative influences; creating balance and harmony within the living and working environments.
Sharon's passion is Feng Shui and making a difference in other people's lives, homes and businesses. Her down-to-earth approach to Feng Shui is very realistic and practical, with the natural ability to simplify and bring about optimum results for her clients.
The International House of Feng Shui has grown enormously since its humble beginnings and continues to thrive, at the same time being creative and diverse. Sharon conducts seminars, courses and consultations with residential, business, commercial and corporate clients Australia wide with enormous success; 95% of her work comes from referrals.
Sharon has been a guest speaker on many radio stations, television and for many groups. She is an author, has been a contributor writer for Annym magazine and recently for the luxury lifestyle, BOX Magazine.
Sharon is a Platinum Member of the Association of Feng Shui Consultants, a Member of National Speakers Association of Australia and has won many business awards.
P.O. Box 1096, Joondalup DC WA 6919
Ph: (08) 9300 1891
Mobile: 042 111 6799
Email: Sharon@completefengshui.com
Woman of the Month - December 2008
Name: Toni Richards
Business: Imagine You
Website: www.imagineyou.com.au
Toni's passion is helping women blossom to their full potential. Image is so important today professionally and socially since people make value judgements in less then 30 seconds. We have all learned to do this through the electronic media.
Some women seem to know instinctively what colours suit them and how to combine them. They also have a good sense of style for their body shape and have a flair for accessorising, but these individuals are rare. Most people Toni believes need the gentle guiding hand of a professional to show them the basic principles. "Looking good is easy when you know how".
Staring her working career as a hairdresser and setting up her own salon by the age of 19, Toni jokes she has also earned a "Clayton's degree" in psychology as women really open up to their hairdresser sharing their most intimate secrets. Some years later, feeling the need to grow, she went to study at Murdoch University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. A real one!
She also went on to become a beauty therapist and a makeup artist following her passion, helping women feel good about themselves, as image plays a huge part in people's confidence and self-esteem. Toni had thoughts of opening another salon or beauty spa but a new awareness of the hazardous and toxic chemicals used in the beauty industry stemmed her desire to expand. She has since discovered safe alternates which she uses and markets as well.
Deep down she always had a love and a keen eye for fashion. This came from an early age watching her mother fitting clients with meticulous care and flair. Her mother was a dressmaker and tailorless who worked and lived with European royalty for years prior to her marriage, constructing the most exquisite garments for them. As a child, listening to her mother advising clients on colour, style, accessorising etc. set the path for Toni's eventual career. She trained as a Colour and Image consultant 15 years ago.
Her services include Total Makeover, Colour Analysis, Figure and Style assessment, Makeup application, Antiageing programme, Wardrobe audit, Personal shopping, Seminars and Workshops.
Helping her clients develop their own unique style, that suits their face, body shape and lifestyle is what Toni loves to do with a passion. Her greatest pleasure is hearing them say, "I wish I had this done years ago!"
Woman of the Month - November 2008
Name: Christina Cabrera
Business: Blue Edge Financial Planning
Website: www.blueedge.net.au
Christina has been involved in investment planning since 1985 having worked as co-administrator of an international estate, where she was responsible for the management of estate funds for some years involving the analysis and evaluation of optimal investment options and taxation considerations spanning several countries.
Since 1991 Christina has worked as financial planner for the Challenge Bank and eventually TrustWest (BankWest), where she was responsible for giving comprehensive advice on all financial matters for clients of both banks and is now managing director of her on practice - Blue Edge Financial Planning.
She has been a regular speaker of public and industry seminars and workshops including the Australian Navy and has lectured on financial planning at the Securities Institute of Australia.
Christina has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and holds a Diploma in Financial Planning from Deakin University. In 1991, Christina became one of the first 100 financial planners in Australia to be granted the designation of "CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM" by the Financial Planning Association of Australia, which is the highest professional designation in financial planning, recognized world wide. The CFP certification is based on independently established standards designed to benefit the public.
Woman of the Month - September 2008
Name: Sara Hall
Business: Finer Details Personal Concierge Services
Website: www.finerdetails.com.au
Sara went into business in February 2007. "I started Finer Details Personal Concierge Services (Finer Details) because my own life/work balance was out of sync. I never had enough time to manage my personal affairs - what I call ‘life admin'. I realised there were many others like me out there and there was a real need for support and assistance. People are working longer hours nowadays, making it harder to successfully manage day-to-day living and still have a social life."
With the help of her Life Coach, Susie Ascott from Present Perfect, Sara started researching alternative career opportunities and discovered the Personal Concierge industry. "It was ideal," she says. "I've always enjoyed working with people and I realised that, as a personal concierge, I would be able to use my organisational and administrative skills to help others. It was daunting though - I'd never even considered starting my own business and I didn't have a clue how to go about it."
Not to be put off, Sara completed a Small Business Management Course and enlisted the assistance of ECU students in preparing a marketing plan for the business.
Since the personal concierge concept was new in Western Australia, there were other hurdles such as low awareness and no networking opportunities with similar Perth-based businesses. So, wanting to learn more from those who had first-hand knowledge and experience in the industry, Sara travelled to San Diego in California to attend an International Concierge and Errands Association (ICEA) annual conference; becoming the first Australian personal concierge service to do so.
"My sights are set high for this business. I wanted to network with other personal concierge businesses and this was the perfect opportunity. It was fantastic to hear keynote speakers on topical subjects and to make international contacts."
On returning, Sara organised a local Perth "networking circle" for fellow ICEA concierge businesses. "We all started our businesses around the same time and now meet regularly to discuss marketing strategies, current issues in the marketplace and to support each other in our business ventures". Through the Australian ICEA chapter, Sara has built relationships and alliances with other concierge businesses around Australia. Realising the importance of networking, Sara also attends various different networking events: "There are so many benefits to networking - learning from others, the amazing support and friendships created, building working relationships with clients, potential clients and providers. In this industry we need a comprehensive database of reliable competent providers for our clients."
When Sara started Finer Details, she anticipated the majority of her clients would be Fly In Fly Out workers and busy individuals needing help to reduce their domestic workload. However, she has found the demand in today's marketplace to be much higher from businesses. Most of Finer Details' clients are small to medium sized businesses wanting help in their business and personal arenas. "Amongst other things," Sara says, "we've helped with organising events and marketing material, purchasing gifts (in December we helped several clients to source, gift wrap and deliver Christmas presents for their clients in and around Perth) we've organised gifts for new mothers, booking and waiting for trades people, customised house-sitting while clients have gone away on business or holidays, and we ran personal and business-related errands for another business client who had undergone an operation which left her immobile for several weeks."
Sara is now working with business coach Anthea Moffat from Business Fusion to redefine her business and concentrate on the needs of small to medium sized businesses. You can help this process by filling in the Finer Details business survey - Finer Details Survey.
Woman of the Month - August 2008
Name: Sherryn McBride
Business: Marketing Talk
Website: http://www.marketingtalk.com.au/
Sherryn loves the variety of freelancing and the flexibility of working as a soloist. Since establishing
her consultancy Marketing Talk in 2001, she enjoys reviewing how a business presents and tailoring marketing mater
ials to create or better promote a c
ompany image. As a copywriter she finds that a peak and tweak of marketing materials will
instantly sorts the jewels from the junk, and often just planning a brainstorming session will get an owner's creative
juices flowing again.
As proof that not all marketing is rocket science and not all marketing ideas are expensive, she conducts workshops and marketing tips presentations for industry groups. To help small biz owners promote themselves, she prepares a free monthly newsletter packed with simple practical and proven ideas that any business owner can replicate; and for the time poor business owner she is creating a series of marketing e-books, CD's and a DIY marketing tips book.
Her background is drawn from 25 years managing state branches for national and multinational corporations and
consultancies across a variety of sectors from electrical consumer goods, mining equipment, philanthropic marketing, market research, part
nership brokering to arts administration. She does some lecturing in small biz marketing and serves on the committee of the Melville-Cockburn Chamber of Commerce.
Sherryn is a firm believer that joining business networks is the secret to success. The launch of Women in Business W
A was a terrific evening and it creates an excellent opportunity for women entrepreneurs to meet and mix. As a member of 5 networks her feelings were expressed earlier this year when interviewed by WA Business News. "To form alliances with like-minded business
owners, Ms McBride recommends looking within your own circle of influence as well as attending networking clubs. Then you have a group of like-minded business people you're happy to refer work to and receive referrals from. As a sole operator, she said working in isolation could be de-motivating, so it was important to be part of peer networking groups".
If you live near the Shelley foreshore, look out for Sherryn cycling or walking around the river, or just playing hookie on a weekday swapping her home office for the laptop and the park bench. Don't you love having your own business and making your own rules!
Woman of the Month - July 2008
Name: Anthea Moffat
Business: Business Fusion
Website: www.businessfusion.com.au
Anthea is the founder of Business Fusion, a training, coaching and coaching business that specialises in the needs of small to medium sized businesses.
Through workshops, coaching and consulting service she has helped hundreds of business owners to improve the performance and profits of their business and she won't be satisfied until she has helped thousands more.
Anthea started her career as a Chartered Accountant in the UK before migrating to Perth in 1993. She spent her first few years in Perth working with the Miss Maud organisation, as the Company Accountant and then the Business Development Manager. At the same time she studied part-time at UWA for her MBA. After completing her studies Anthea then went on to work with two local accounting practices, heading up their business development consulting divisions. In 2001 she established her own business consultancy, Business Fusion.
"I wanted to help business owners who typically could not afford the St Georges Terrace consulting fees. I also wanted the flexibility to create a business that was fun and inspiring for me and which would allow me to develop new and unique tools and resources for business owners."
Since then the business has grown with Business Fusion developing and delivering truly innovative products and services for business owners.
In 2007 Business Fusion launched The Business Masters Club, a learning and networking club designed for motivated and passionate business owners who want to take their business to the next level. The club has been a huge success which Anthea attributes to a number of factors.
"First of all, I think if you are going to do anything you should have fun, so our workshops are fun, practical and very hands-on. Secondly, our members are a very special group of people and everyone who visits the club comments on how unique the culture is. I am so proud of the members and what the club is becoming. It is the most rewarding job in the world to watch these businesses grow and help each other along the way."
The Business Masters Club is growing fast, as is The Business Masters Program - a series of six one day workshops specifically designed to teach business owners how to take their business to the next level of success.
Her passion means Anthea sets herself a punishing schedule, presenting new workshops every month. In addition she also sits on the board of the Stirling Business Centre and is an active mentor to start up businesses.
"I love my business - it is the best job in the world. I have the best team and our clients are second to none. We are always looking to the future and developing new products and services because we want our clients to have the success they deserve."
For more information about upcoming Business Fusion workshops and events visit www.businessfusion.com.au. Whilst you are there join their mailing list and receive a complimentary invitation to the next Business Masters Club workshop. 
Woman of the Month - June 2008
Name: Helen Potter
Business: In Touch Physiotherapy
Website: http://www.intouchphysio.com/ (Under Construction)
Helen Potter is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and owner of In Touch Physiotherapy in West Leederville. The business was launched formally in 2001 - having grown from a small part time clinic opened several years earlier to complement Helen's teaching and research commitments. Helen has advanced knowledge, extra qualifications and extensive experience.
In Touch Physiotherapy is now a dynamic centre of excellence for the diagnosis, treatment and management of complex and persistent spinal pain and headaches.
In Touch Physiotherapy is known in WA for its high level of specific diagnosis, quality hands on treatment, information provision and consistent individual care. Longer consultation times and a friendly empathetic approach empower clients to become active partners in their recovery - reflecting Helen's passion to provide "more ways to help clients move well faster and stay well longer".
With her continuous drive for excellence Helen has acquired a Degree in Physiotherapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Manipulative Physiotherapy (sponsored by a Kellogg Scholarship) and a Master of Science by research. In 2007 Helen became one of the first two women in WA to pass her specialisation examination and therefore accepted as a Fellow of the prestigious Australian College of Physiotherapists.
No referral is needed to attend In Touch Physiotherapy . Flexible and urgent appointment times are available to suit your other commitments. Fees are in line with Australian Physiotherapy Association Guidelines with higher fees charged by Specialist Physiotherapists for comprehensive consultations and extended appointment times. Health Rebates for ancillary services apply.
Helen specialises in providing effective solutions for neck and back pain, headaches, whiplash associated disorders, osteoarthritis and post operative rehabilitation. Become a partner in your health recovery and learn to care for your body.
Woman of the Month - May 2008
Name: Anna Zammit
Business: Xsell
Website: www.xsell.net.au
Anna Zammit is a recognised Sales Trainer and Master Coach, with over 20 years of sales experience in direct marketing and sales, retail and corporate sales. Anna consults to local and national organisations including Tupperware Australia, Shell, Deutsche Bank Private Banking, MLC, Sensis, Water Corporation, Patersons Securities Limited, Alinta Gas, ABN AMRO, Ernst and Young, Godfrey Pembroke and Wesfarmers.
Anna is the Managing Director of Xsell, a company that provides training and coaching. Xsell employs a team of sales specialists, coaches and trainers who cater for the corporate market. Over the past 8 years Anna has assisted many organisations grow their business by working with Management in the area of Persuasion and Influence to increase sales. Her excellent communication skills have allowed her to bring out the best in people. Anna is currently utilising these skills via a regular segment on breakfast TV in WA, which reaches in excess of 65,000 viewers daily.
In her search for excellence Anna's acquired many prestigious qualifications include; MBTI (Myers Briggs - International Accreditation), Mastery University (Anthony Robbins), NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming- International), META Master Practitioner - International, NLP Trainer, Neuro Semantics Trainer, Certificate IV Train the Trainer and completed studies in Project Management.
"Anna Zammit has earned her position as one of Australia's top trainers and coach and continues to excel in sales, developing people to be high performers and achievers"
Woman of the Month - April 2008
Name: Catherine Groppoli
Business: mini eco
Website: www.minieco.com.au
Launched in March 2008, mini eco takes organic fashion beyond its traditional hippy cliché of saggy, itchy and boring and finally brings to Australia gorgeously colourful and beautifully designed organic and fair trade baby and children's fashion from France, London, New York and more.
Spend some time talking to the founder of mini eco, Catherine Groppoli, and you will find someone who has finally found her passion in life! After 18 years working as a corporate lawyer in Melbourne and Perth, in 2007 she decided to take the plunge, follow her heart and start something she knew was lacking in Australia's retail scene, launching mini eco in March 2008.
Tired of trawling the internet for organic clothing for her 3 children and always coming up with only boring, beige basics Catherine knew that it could be done better, especially because her research had made her aware of the funky, fun and colourful organic brands of clothing available overseas.
Disenchanted by the demands of working as a lawyer while trying to manage her family commitments, she also knew that a job where she could have some control of where and when she worked would, in a field where she had a deep personal interest, would be the best of all worlds. And so it has proved!
mini eco is an online retailer of high quality products that are made from organic fibres or other ecologically friendly fibres such as bamboo and hemp; and/or using fair trade principles. mini eco stocks baby and children's clothing (newborn upto size 12), bedding, toiletries and toys, as well as fantastic gift ideas and products for ladies (and even a few for guys).
mini eco is different to other organic online retailers in that it is unapologetically up market and stocks only the best brands from Australia, plus international organic designer brands, many of which have not been available in Australia before.
mini eco invites you to challenge your perceptions about organic products. You will be amazed by the softness of the fabrics, their long lasting, easy washing nature and the range of fashionable, fun and funky designs available. To the already converted, you will enjoy discovering some new brands of organic products that you may have not seen before.
Woman of the Month - February 2008
Name: Sarah O'Leary 
Business: The Brilliant Gift Box Company
Website: www.brilliantgiftbox.com.au
Launched in August 2007, the Brilliant Gift Box Company was created by Sarah O'Leary to provide online gift solutions for busy parents and professionals. Sarah recognised that many people like herself, due to work and family commitments, preferred to shop online rather than endure a mad dash to shops with kids in tow. She was, however disappointed with the quality and range of gifts available on line. Sarah has a passion to offer premium quality gifts designed to surprise and impress both the recipient and the buyer.
The Brilliant Gift Box offers a great range of gifts for new babies, children, women and men and all occasions. A fantastic bonus on the website is the free date reminder service that emails you when an important date is coming up. It's quick and easy to set up so you'll never forget those important dates again.
The Brilliant Gift Box is also gaining a keen corporate following looking to reward their own clients with great gift boxes as an alternative to hampers, baskets and flowers that tend to include a lot of ‘filler' products. Corporate clients also have the opportunity to personalise their gifts with cards and trim incorporating their own logo. A fantastic range of Christmas gift boxes will be showcased on the site shortly.
Gifts include traditional toys, designer baby gifts, fragrant herbal body products, champagne, wine, gourmet delights and a great selection of books for children, women and men. West Australian products are a major highlight. Sarah is adamant that her business will remain focused on providing a great service and expanding the impressive product range.
Woman of the Month - December 2007
Name: Renae Lunjevich
Business: Bang! Online Marketing
Website: www.bangonline.com.au
Comments:
At the age of 20, Renae had already taken the leap into small business ownership. After being asked to provide services for MBA students she met while working at the Unversity of Auckland in New Zealand, she started Polygon Marketing. Fresh out of a Dreamweaver course, she dabbled in website design and database systems part time, while holding down a full time job as Manager of Execnet, the Universities first online teaching resource. Not content with her expanding work load, she also completed a post-graduate Diploma in Business Marketing.
She spent her next 2 years as an Account Manager for an Advertising Agency, with an internal role at Hewlett-Packard. At the age of 24, Renae decided it was time to do the big "OE" and headed overseas to London. She started work as an IT consultant at the House of Parliament and worked part time designing New Zealand inspired Jewellery and selling online. It was in her next role as the Online Marketing Manager for Encyclopaedia Britannica that Renae rekindled her passion for everything online, and began to see the incredible potential of this dynamic industry.
When her and her husband decided to immigrate to Perth, she went back into traditional marketing as the Marketing Manager for Perth IT firm, Stott + Hoare. It was through this role that she met Ross Gerring from Itomic, and shared both his enthusiasm and drive for the online industry. Itomic realised that the online marketing arm of their business needed further developing, and required a focused individual to grow this as a separate entity. In May 2007 Bang! Online Marketing was formed, and now services an rapidly growing client base providing search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and e-mail services to both locally based and global clients.