City of Greater Dandenong’s economic development coordinator Paula Brennan, Sarina Russo, and South East Networks manager Sandra George.By Shaun Inguanzo
THE first in a series of South East Networks’ (SEN) Showcasing Women in Business breakfasts took place at Sandown Racecourse last week.
Prominent recruitment agency spearhead Sarina Russo was guest speaker for 2007’s first breakfast.
Ms Russo spoke to a record crowd of about 160 people, mainly local businesswomen, about her rise from emotionally ‘divorcing’ her Italian father, to becoming one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs.
Her collection of companies includes a skills training college and recruitment agency, and she has a combined annual turnover of $75 million.
“I hope your $44 breakfast can become a $4 million investment,” she told the audience.
Ms Russo told of how she was fired as a legal secretary early in her working life, and suffered from low self-esteem as a result.
She said that as a child of Italian migrants she found living at home and her family’s expectations too much to bear, and she moved out despite her father’s wishes.
“It was like there was a death in the family,” she said.
“I only lived around the corner, but he couldn’t come to terms with the fact I moved out, and didn’t tell relatives or the (Italian) community about it.”
Ms Russo said after ‘divorcing’ her father she gained independence and the will to succeed.
After first setting up shop in 1979, Ms Russo’s business has rocketed, and she has along the way met other high achievers, such as former US president Bill Clinton, who inspired her further successes.
The next Showcasing Women in Business Breakfast will be held on 13 June at Sandown Racecourse.
Contact South East Networks on 9238 1576 for more information.
