Left: Sue McDonald from Perform Business Solutions tells the crowd about how her company has risen to become a reputable human resources business.By Shaun Inguanzo
BUSINESSWOMEN from across the South-East received an early Christmas present in the form of South East Networks’ Showcasing Women in Business breakfast last week.
The Friday morning event at the Sandown Regency Motor Inn Pastels reception centre began with an invaluable run down on business dos and don’ts from Westpac business banking specialist Tim Mason.
Mr Mason’s speech set the tone for the morning which consisted of a panel of three successful businesswomen who had each ventured out on their own to conceive, build and then grow a company.
The panel comprised Michelle Vogrinec, owner of Gaia Skin Naturals; Shelley Lisson, owner of Precision Joinery Makers in Dandenong South; and Sue McDonald; owner of human resources company Perform Business Solutions.
Each spoke about their rise to success and hurdles they encountered along the way.
The audience of fellow businesswomen – and some men – then fired questions at the panel asking about how they each handled their growth.
In an example of managing growth, Ms Vogrinec spoke about how Gaia had refused to enter the United States market until it felt ready to take the financial risks.
Despite the lure of significant dollars, Ms Vogrinec said Gaia wanted to be sure it could manage the individual requirements of each state, and afford to take risks such as covering costs if a client did not pick up container shipments from a port.
Ms McDonald spoke about creating a point of difference for her human resources company while it competes in Victoria with up to 3000 other agents.
Ms Lisson enthralled the crowd with her tale of how she bought out her cabinet-making company and, without any experience, began building cabinets quicker than her male employees.
