Kate O’Leary is the founder of Urban Thirst, a company which creates delicious cocktail mixes for you to make fabulous cocktails at home. Kate started Urban Thirst in 2004 after having successful careers as a corporate finance lawyer in New York and a management consultant with McKinsey & Company.

In this interview we discuss:

• How a personal need turned into an innovative business idea
• How she differentiates her product through packaging
• How she switched from law to the food and beverage industry
• Why success can take longer than you initially think
• How selling online and dealing direct with customers gives them an advantage
• Her tips for those starting out in business

Enjoy this interview with Kate O’Leary.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Nikki Steadman, CEO of Loci Solutions, specialises in helping businesses find effective and practical solutions to their property management accounting and reporting systems.

Loci Solutions grew out of the desire to enhance the customer experience and system utilisation of current and potential clients in the property industry, primarily in the areas of property management and finance.

In this interview we discuss:

• How establishing a niche business has meant big wins for Nikki’s business
• Why the technology industry is a great career path for women
• How to get corporate doors to open up to your small business
• Nikki’s business success tips

Enjoy this interview with Nikki Steadman

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Flavia Abbate is the CEO of Bolster Trading, manufacturers and distributors of a range of exercise tools and educational resources for allied health professionals and end users, including the BodyBolster.

In this In Her Shoes interview, Flavia discusses:

• the impact of her previous careers on her current focus
• her strategy for taking an Australian product and making it international
• promotion and strategy tips for launching a new product
• how to use marketing in the digital age
• business tips for other entrepreneurs

Enjoy this interview with Flavia Abbate!

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website now.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Gillian Corban is Managing Director of Corban & Blair, a design firm specialising in stationery and lifestyle related products. Since its establishment in 1988 Corban & Blair has seen local and international success with retail lines and cleverly-translated marketing concepts.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Penny Spencer is the owner of award-winning corporate travel agency Spencer Travel. For 60% of her staff, Spencer Travel has been their only job – and, this team dynamic, Penny tells us, is part of the reason for her success.

In this video interview we discuss:

• How starting off stuffing envelopes was her foot in the door of the travel industry
• Why she focuses on staff training as a way to build business culture
• How also how taking the time to believe in your staff pays off and
• The importance of mentoring

Enjoy this interview with Penny Spencer.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website now.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Leona Watson, owner of Cheeky Food Group, a company that uses the fun and interaction of cooking together to provide team building, conference and client entertaining activities across Australia and New Zealand.

In this video interview we discuss:

• How Cheeky Food Group makes team building fun
• How her large-company experience helped her start her business with almost no budget
• How to leverage in business, step back and delegate
• How to manage the mood in your business by managing yourself and more

Enjoy this interview with Leona Watson.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website now.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Jacqueline Arias is founder of República, Australia’s only 100% Fairtrade and Organic Coffee Company. Her mission is to make Fairtrade an every day choice at supermarket checkouts all over Australia.

In this video interview we discuss:

• What inspired her to quit her job and get involved with the Fairtrade movement
• Her experience breaking into a close-knit, male-dominated industry, where her goal of finding quality, Fair Trade coffee was considered an impossible feat
• How she has ensured growth by enrolling Australia’s biggest chains in her vision, in an environment were success relies on partnerships and distribution.
• How she found the courage to take the plunge, mortgage her house and risk everything, in pursuit of her mission
• Plus, Jacqueline passes on the lessons she has learned to others considering to take the risk and start a new business.

Enjoy this interview with Jacqueline Arias.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website now.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Catherine Saxelby runs Foodwatch.com.au, a web community designed to help busy women eat well, stay slim and stay energised. Catherine and her team are accredited nutritionists who understand the modern food supply and make it easy and practical to eat right.

In this interview, we discuss how a healthy lifestyle ensures working women always put their best foot forward.

In this video interview we discuss:

• The mistakes working women make when it comes to eating a balanced diet
• How to enjoy caffeine wisely, without overdoing it
• The most common energy drainers
• The steps you can take to ensure you get a good night’s sleep
• Plus, Catherine shares her experiences using new media to raise her public profile

Enjoy this interview with Catherine Saxelby.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Carden Calder is the co-founder of Australia’s largest specialist financial services communication and public relations, BlueChip Communications. In this interview we discuss the key element of effective reputation management, regardless of what industry you are in.

As a founding partner Carden grew the business from start up to become Australia’s largest specialist financial services communication and public relations firm within two years. Clients include banking providers, fund managers, government, industry associations, insurers, researchers and consultants to the industry.

In this video interview we discuss:

• The key elements to managing your business reputation
• Warren Buffet’s philosophy on reputation management
• How social media can impact your reputation
• The role that citizenship, governance and leadership play in your brand management
• Why the product your delivery needs to hit the right buttons with your audience

Enjoy this interview with Carden Calder.

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.

Angela Vithoulkas is the multi-award-winning CEO of VIVO cafe, one of Sydney CBD’s most recognisable cafe brands. She has forged a strong reputation for the cafe through clever marketing techniques and a belief that customer service excellence forms the basis of every successful business. She is passionate about small business, women in business, and social responsibility.

In this video interview we discuss:

• How Angela balances working IN her business (spending hours on the shop floor) and working strategically on business growth
• Why small business is a power behind Australia’s economy
• Why she doesn’t believe in “balance”
• How she has successfully used social media (Four Square specifically) to drive customers to her stores
• Plus, Angela shares your top strategies for making your small business work.

Enjoy this interview with Angela Vithoulkas

Watch this interview on the Australian Businesswomen’s Network website now.

About the In Her Shoes series In Her Shoes is a regular video series presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and BNet.com.au. Each interview features an inspiring businesswoman and her strategies for success. New episodes are released regularly. Become a Community Member for regular updates. StartUp and Growth Members get updates automatically. Become a Community Member with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.