Last week , we were invited to attend the Australian Women’s Network Business Summit held at Pullman Hotel in Melbourne for a day of inspiration and networking. We spent our time hearing motivational talks from some amazing Australian women in business and speaking with some of the most influential women of our country about their journeys, life challenges and overall achievements in business.
We’ve collected just a few of the memorable quotes heard at the AWN Business Summit from various females we would consider to be role-model leaders of our time. We hope these quotes inspire you as much as they inspire us!
Melissa Lewis
Melissa Lewis speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Your wardrobe is your powerful marketing tool.
Melissa is a Personal Brand/Image Specialist who helps women in business refine their style to suit their occupation, personality, body type and budget. She stresses the importance of ‘branding’ yourself with your very own image and style; after all, you are the face of your own brand. Dressing right ensues confidence and an undoubted sense of empowerment, which is why what you wear and how you wear it is so imperative to succeeding in business.
Janine Kirk
Janine Kirk speaking at AWN Business Summit.
In business, always think; ‘How can I help?‘ not, ‘What can I get?‘
Janine Kirk is currently CEO of The Princes Charities Australia and has a wealth of experience in governance, management consulting and strategic planning behind her. Having also worked as a partner of Ernst & Young and Chief Executive of The Committee of Melbourne, Janine is one of the most knowledgeable women in the Australian corporate sector.
Holly Kramer
Holly Kramer speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Make genuine connections.
Holly has worked at some of the best known companies in Australia, having played a key role in the astounding turnaround of retailer Best & Less. Holly Kramer knows how to attain success in business, and her story shows that building relationships, empowering teams and understanding customers and their needs is a key part of succeeding in the business world.
Sadhana Smiles
Sadhana Smiles speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Women that put down other women deserve a special place in hell.
Currently CEO of Harcourts Victoria, Sadhana is always out to achieve her career goals and has previously won the prestigious ‘Telstra Award’. Sadhana has a personality so bright it could light up the whole room – and it clearly did at the AWN Business Summit. Her witty, sometimes dark humour and ability to make light of difficult situations makes her the ultimate motivational speaker, and her speech was just phenomenal. She speaks highly on the importance of women supporting other women in business as opposed to beating them down, which is often a situation many women in business find themselves in.
Elaine Jacobs
Elaine Jacobs speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Try to talk yourself up and surround yourself with people who will talk you up, too.
Elaine also discusses the importance of women supporting women, pinpointing the way in which women can succeed through surrounding themselves with those who seek to bring them up not tear them down. Working in the male-dominated field of finance, Elaine has really experienced it all, but has never let anything steer her away from achieving goals. She has worked in the field for over 22 years now and currently stands as the Vice President of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
Briony Kennedy
Brionny Kennedy speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Don’t worry too much about what people say about you.
Briony is Founder and CEO of Adorn Cosmetics, which is a luxe, cruelty free cosmetics brand. Briony speaks about how she started the company and how people would often ask her, ‘Why are you starting a cosmetics company when there’s already so many out there?’. Being able to look past this negativity allowed her to create one of the most sought out, cruelty-free cosmetic labels in Australia, and she bids those experiencing similar attitudes to do the same.
Gina Liano
Gina Liano speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Women must support women. Don’t compete too hard – the platform is big enough for everybody.
Many of you may know Gina from popular TV show Housewives of Melbourne, but what you might not realise is that she is actually one of the most intelligible business women around. Not only is Gina a successful Barrister, she has also been in business working with her sisters running chain boutique, Bettina Liano. Gina makes a point of dressing bold and standing out, which is something we deeply admire; however, she has certainly experienced judgement for doing so, most commonly coming from other women. Much like Sadhana and Elaine, Gina believes women should never undermine one another, especially out of jealousy or spite. Helping each other will only lead to great things for all women in business.
Catherine Cervasio
Catherine Cervasio speaking at AWN Business Summit.
Keep your integrity.
Catherine Cervasio is CEO of Aromababy and is a respected public speaker, having presented for MBS, CEDA, MJCC, Asia Connect, ANZ, Austrade, Vecci and more. She offers advice in the realm of export and business growth, empowering women all over the nation. To be successful, Catherine believes one must remain real and true to themselves, which will ultimately lead to stronger career connections and overall a growth in business.
Images: Jim Lee Photography
