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.
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. |
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“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 include:
- 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.
- 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.
Media
- 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, Dynamic Business,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 and online news channels
- 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.”
- Panelist on Channel 7′s The Dragons’ Den
- Host – In Her Shoes channel on CBS Interactive’s bnet.com.au
- Host – HerBusiness Podcast on iTunes
- Recent media
Speaking Engagements
Suzi is often asked to comment in the media on issues related to women in business. Her passion for marketing continues and she travels regularly to attend educational events in Australia and overseas – learning of new technology and business practices that are then shared with her 10,000 strong community through the use of innovative learning technologies.
Her expertise is in the social media and direct response marketing area and her company was one of the first in its industry to use the power of email marketing and the web to do business. Today she’s asked to speak on Social Media and the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s use of new media to provide education and mentoring to women in small business.
Suzi ranks as one of Australia’s top users of social media to engage community, to network and to do business. Recent presentations include:
- Twitter for Business
- Facebook for Business
- Blogging for Beginners
- How Small Businesses are Using Technology to Drive Business
- 30 Days of Social Media (e-course)
- Collaborating in the Cloud
- How to Build Your Online Community
- Social Media for Small Business
- Sydney Blogger’s Festival – Building Your Online Community
- How to use social media to build your profile
- Technology ideas to streamline your business.
- Live UStream presentation in New York City on Social Media and Your Brand
“Suzi’s presentation skills are excellent. She has no trouble establishing rapport with the audience and communicating her ideas in clear, concise language that is both easy to understand and compelling.”
Michael Barnes, VP of Software & Asia Pacific Research, Springboard Research
“Energy, insights and lots of business savvy is what you’ll get from a Suzi Dafnis presentation. Suzi is absolutely engaging as a speaker and delivers practical business know-how with an entertaining style. As a key presenter on our Webinars like ‘Facebook for Business’ and ‘Ask the Expert: Roundtable on Webinar Production, Promotion and Presentation’, Suzi always gets rave reviews from our audiences. Why? Because she knows her stuff, tells great stories and can always make you chuckle – a fantastic recipe!”
Todd Lewis, Marketing Manager – Asia Pacific, Citrix Online
“Suzi spoke at the Sydney Bloggers Festival 2010 (Her-Story Day on 11th November).
Suzi is a great public speaker. She is confident, dynamic and really understands her subject matter. Suzi spoke on the topic of Building your online business, monetizing your website/blog, and how to engage sponsors and advertisers; topics for which Suzi is eminently qualified to speak about. Suzi understands the business requirements of the digital world, and she also understands why people are engaged in online publishing, because they have a love for their topic. Suzi is not afraid to challenge people to think differently about online opportunities, and she brings a truly independent position to any discussion.
Delegate feedback for Suzi was great and I would recommend her to anyone looking for a dynamic and intelligent speaker.”
Glen Frost, Founder & Organiser - Sydney Bloggers Festival
“The common response after Suzi’s social media presentation at Filex 2010 was ‘Wow!’ Participants walked with a knowledge and examples of what is possible in social media.
More importantly, Suzi’s delivery method made a complex topic as simple as ABC, so that the attendees walked away with the tools needed to implement.
Suzi was a delight to prep for the event and stayed after her presentation to answer questions one to one with people. As an event organiser, you cannot expect any more, so I have no hesitation in recommending Suzi as a social media expert and a wonderful presenter.”
Justin Tamsett – Active Management, Speaker Coordinator for FILEX – Fitness Industry Conference
CONTACT SUZI
Feel free to contact me here. |
