Southern Women in Business

Southern Women in business offer opportunities for business owners, professionals, and their partners to attend informative events in a relaxed setting. The topics reflect contemporary challenges facing women and men in business and a range of functions covering business skills, professional development and networking opportunities have been scheduled for this year.

Coming Up!

In May of this year we will host our first one-day conference on Media and your Business – there is only one thing worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about. This event will be an excellent opportunity for small and medium enterprises to access some of the best media advice in this state, all in the one place at the one time. We will show case some of our members whose business is media and will offer a great networking opportunity over lunch.

In the latter half of the year we will hold our second conference which will focus on an area dear to the heart of the South - Sustainability – not just a fad but a business basic. With the desalination project launch right around the corner, we will explore the impact of sustainability on the small and medium business sector. What we can do better, what we can’t do without and what we need to plan for in the future. This one-day conference will host some excellent case studies on the topic, but we will also hear from small and medium enterprises on how they are meeting the challenge of building for a better tomorrow.

Carrie Buckle and Astrid Varga – We Create Design Solutions

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Carrie Buckle and Astrid Varga are the business partners of We Create Design Solutions; a mobile graphic design consultancy operating from Christies Beach. In 2009, they saw an opportunity to apply their 12 years of extensive industry knowledge and experiences to help businesses reach their full potential through professional brand presence and they have not looked back.

Carrie and Astrid have identified that businesses do not fully understand the benefits and importance of branding and graphic design. Carrie and Astrid help clients embrace graphic design as a successful part of their marketing strategy through logo creation and visual identity, business stationery, brochures, press advertisements, annual reports, photography to email banners and e-newsletters.”

Carrie and Astrid visit their clients and bring back the old-fashioned cu­stomer service. “This allows us to 'get to know them' and gain a greater understanding of their business requirements to create innovative personalised design solutions,” said Carrie.

While many businesses are cautious about these tough economic times We Create Design Solutions offer innovative ways to help businesses create, re-energise and grow their identity to successfully reach their market and remain sustainable.

Carrie and Astrid believe “The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and we miss it, but we aim to low and reach it.”

Deirdre Albrighton - Albrighton Consulting

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Deirdre Albrighton is the National Manager of Albrighton Consulting, and in conjunction with a range of professionals from both the education, training and psychological arenas. Deirdre provides a specialised and personal service to clients and individuals who are looking for a true trusted advisor for their business.

With over 25 years experience in the management field, there isn’t much Deirdre has not experienced.

Linda Sanders - OzFeathers Pty Ltd

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I cut my working teeth 1972 in money – as a bank teller. Counting it, doling it out, and recommending higher interest accounts for those with plenty of it.

I’d discovered Marketing… and the rewards were fantastic!

Time management and organisation came next as a by-product of having three children in 4 years. Since I was now house-based, why not be a day-care provider and run my own business? No computer in 1984, so hand-written ledgers, receipts neatly filed, depreciation and wear-and-tear, mileage records.

The urge to communicate in words of more than one syllable prompted me to start Party Plan selling – Marketing in its purest form. I was enlightening other Mums about educational products (the ones already transforming my brood into Einsteins) and making 32% commission on my sales. In control of my own destiny, I could earn as much as I was prepared to work. And, because I was enjoying it, why not share it so other Mums could earn 32% also? I was now a staff recruiter & trainer, a team builder, and again, the rewards were fantastic! – Florida, Hawaii, Fiji. Oh those “hard” days at work!

Suddenly, after 7 years, I was State Manager, our team was #1 in sales Australia-wide, and Australia was the #1 country worldwide. Where to from here?

A new enterprise – I bought a kite shop in Glenelg. NOW the steep learning curve – Accountant, Suppliers, Landlord, Traders Association, customers with complaints!

Each new step is a new challenge to be met head-on.

My children are now 22, 24, 26, I have 1.5 grandchildren, a growing manufacturing business, and I still love getting out of bed each day to “go to work”.

As Henry Ford once said, “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.”

Marianna Stafford - Resumé Results

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“Marianne Stafford is co partner with husband Bernie in their successful Pre Employment business “Resumé Results”. Resumé Results has been operating from Flagstaff Hill for 10 years and enjoys a reputation as a friendly, personalised and professional organization which offers help in all areas of job search services. This includes, career counseling, interview skilling, resumé preparation, application letters and addressing government selection criteria. By her own admission she works “crazy hours” to provide assistance to job seekers of all ages, many of whom have sent their families and friends along or become ongoing clients, returning for updates or advice as their circumstances change.

Marianne who is an accredited professional member of the Australian Career Development of Australia previously worked diversely in HR, administrative and customer service roles prior to leaving the public service to fulfill her ambition to start a new business enterprise in conjunction with her husband. Although specializing in the health sector, Marianne assists people at all levels and particularly likes to help young job seekers, people facing unexpected redundancies and women coming back into the work force.

On a more personal note, Marianne is passionate about good health and nutrition, preserving the environment and doing the right thing by the planet for future generations. Interests include property renovations, fishing and boating. She is also a keen cook and loves to entertain mostly appreciative family and friends, often warning them as they arrive: “Well I haven’t tried this recipe before, but I knew you wouldn’t mind being guinea pigs……..”