Suzi Dafnis

I am an entrepreneur. In 1994 I co-founded Pow Wow Events, a multi-million dollar seminar company (which I have since sold) that produced hundreds of events and served over 250,000 Australians and New Zealanders.

My partner and I also started a boutique publishing company, which, over 10 years, sold more than 1.2 million books (including the long-time bestseller, Rich Dad Poor Dad). In 2000 I opened my first business in the USA, an events company that for over six years presented events all over the USA including in New York, San Francisco, and Dallas.

I have invested in a number of start-ups, a passion that was very much in line with my decision to be on the judging panel of Channel 7’s business TV show “The Dragons’ Den” in 2005.

Supporting women in business
Since 1995 I have headed up the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, which supports thousands of women business-owners to increase their skills and their networks. ABN is the peak body representative for businesswomen in Australia. With over 20,000 community members, ABN caters to the largest community of women business-owners in Australia.

ABN provides inspiration, education and networking opportunities for women business-owners and entrepreneurs.

“The goal is to help women build, sustain and grow successful businesses. ABN provides a voice for business-owners and entrepreneurs in the community. We lobby for good public policy and legislation across a range of key issues impacting business women.”

ABN harnesses the latest technology and innovation to educate women business-owners and entrepreneurs, offering a comprehensive range of online business management tools including webinars and a national mentoring program that uses social media to give women all across the country access to mentoring (from both local and international mentors) and business skills training.

“I didn’t have any formal business training when I started my first business. Mentors have played a big part in my success. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others find mentors, resources and the information they need to grow and learn”.

Achievements

  • Finalist in the 2001 Telstra Business Women’s Awards
  • 2003 finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Eastern Region awards in the category: Services – including Financial, Business and Property.
  • Appearances in the prestigious BRW Young Rich List in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, and 2007, profiled amongst the country’s great talents in business and entertainment.
  • Featured in many national publications including: The Australian, the Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times, My Business Magazine, Virgin’s in-flight magazine Voyeur, The Australian Financial Review, Daily Telegraph, New Woman magazine, BRW Magazine and on numerous radio programs.
  • Often asked to comment in the media on issues related to women in business. My passion for marketing continues and I travel regularly to attend educational events in Australia and overseas.
  • Early adopter in Australia of innovative marketing techniques such as pay-per-view and web-based seminars and Internet marketing. My expertise is in the direct response marketing area and my company was one of the first in its industry to use the power of email marketing and the web to do business.

Feel free to contact me here.