The 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards have announced the winners of their prestigious program, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of female entrepreneurs across the country. The awards, which were held on Saturday 23 September at a gala event in Sydney, recognised 62 outstanding women who are leading the way in various fields and sectors, from construction and agriculture to online retail and disability support.
A pioneer of the construction industry
The most coveted award of the night, the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion ICON, was awarded to Mel Gholami of Planix Projects, a project-management company that specialises in delivering complex and challenging construction projects. Mel is one of the first female founders of a project-management company in Australia, and still one of the very few women in such a role. She has successfully completed projects for clients such as Google, Facebook, Netflix, and Spotify, as well as government agencies and educational institutions.
Mel is also passionate about giving back to the community and supporting causes that address Australia’s housing crisis. She is a board member of Habitat for Humanity Australia, a non-profit organisation that builds affordable homes for low-income families. She also sponsors several charities that provide shelter and education for children in need, such as The Smith Family and The Salvation Army.
Mel said she was honoured and humbled to receive the award, and thanked her team, clients, and mentors for their support. She also encouraged other women to pursue their dreams and aspirations in the male-dominated construction industry.
“I hope that by winning this award, I can inspire more women to enter this exciting and rewarding field, and to challenge the stereotypes and barriers that still exist. There is so much potential and opportunity for women in construction, and I believe we can make a positive difference in shaping our built environment,” she said.
Influential women in business
Another major award of the night was the 2023 Small Business Champion Influential Woman category, which was won by Jacine Greenwood of Roccoco Botanicals, a Queensland-based skincare company that uses natural ingredients to treat skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and pigmentation. Jacine is a qualified cosmetic chemist and beauty therapist who has developed her own formulations and products that are clinically proven to improve skin health and appearance.
Jacine has also been recognised internationally for her achievements and innovations in the beauty industry. Earlier this year, she was named the inaugural Women Changing the World Awards in the Women in Business category in London. She has also been featured in several media outlets such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan.
Jacine said she was thrilled to win the award and thanked her customers, staff, and family for their loyalty and trust. She also shared her vision of empowering women through skincare and education.
“I believe that beauty is more than skin deep, and that every woman deserves to feel confident and beautiful in her own skin. That’s why I created Roccoco Botanicals, to provide effective and safe solutions for women who struggle with skin issues. I also want to educate women about the science behind skincare, and how they can make informed choices about what they put on their skin,” she said.
Young entrepreneurs making waves
The 2023 Young Small Business Champion Entrepreneur category was won by Erin Criticos of Moving Mountains Therapy, a New South Wales-based company that provides occupational therapy services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. Erin is a qualified occupational therapist who has over 10 years of experience working with children and families. She founded Moving Mountains Therapy in 2022 with the aim of providing personalised and holistic care for children who need extra support to reach their full potential.
Erin said she was grateful for the award and thanked her clients, colleagues, and mentors for their encouragement and feedback. She also expressed her passion for helping children overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.
“I love what I do because I get to see the amazing progress that children make when they receive the right intervention and support. I believe that every child has unique strengths and abilities, and that with the right guidance and motivation, they can move mountains,” she said.
Other winners from various sectors
The awards also honoured women from various sectors such as agriculture, environmentalism, Indigenous business leadership, IT, retail, beauty, mechanics, and more. Some of the notable winners include:
- Pippa Hanson of The Sports Injury Clinic (VIC), who won the 2023 Small Business Champion Entrepreneur category. Pippa is a physiotherapist who has established a multidisciplinary clinic that offers a range of services such as sports medicine, podiatry, massage therapy, pilates, yoga, nutrition, psychology, and more.
- Sarah Sammon of Simply Rose Petals (VIC), who won the 2023 Agriculture Small Business category. Sarah is a rose farmer who has created a niche market for edible rose petals that are used for weddings, events, cooking, cocktails, tea, skincare, and more.
- Jody Currie of Deadly Choices (QLD), who won the 2023 Indigenous Business Leadership category. Jody is the CEO of Deadly Choices, an initiative that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to make healthy choices and access health services.
- Lisa Sweeney of Business in Heels (VIC), who won the 2023 IT Small Business category. Lisa is the co-owner and CEO of Business in Heels, a global online platform that connects and supports women in business through events, mentoring, coaching, education, and networking.
- Michelle Nazzari of Fonzarelli (NSW), who won the 2023 Automotive Small Business category. Michelle is the founder and CEO of Fonzarelli, Australia’s first electric scooter company that designs and manufactures eco-friendly and stylish scooters.
Celebrating female small business trailblazers
The awards were founded by Steve Loe, the managing director of Precedent Productions, a company that organises various small business awards programs across Australia. Steve said he was impressed by the quality and diversity of the entrants and finalists, and praised their achievements and contributions to the economy and society.
“It’s high-time we better recognise the massive economic, social and cultural contributions of Australia’s female small business trailblazers. Just as the Matildas shone during this year’s World Cup, attracting the nation’s admiration and highlighting the positive contribution of women in sport, this comprehensive awards program celebrates the outstanding calibre of our country’s female entrepreneurs and those who are inspiring future generations of leaders,” he said.
He also thanked the sponsors, judges, media partners, and supporters of the awards for their involvement and commitment. He said he was looking forward to receiving more entries for the 2024 program, which will open in the first half of next year.
