I wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day by sharing my own path as a woman running a small business in Australia. I also want to highlight some of the incredible business women around me by sharing the wise words they’ve passed on.
The reality of running a small business in Australia
I like to keep things real, so I’ll start by saying being a businesswoman is hard. It’s really hard. But it’s also rewarding, exciting, and it keeps me on my toes.
Is it harder than it is for a man running a small business? I can’t say for sure. But I can speak from experience. Last year, my husband was made redundant suddenly. So we’ve swapped roles, and I’m working full-time in the business, and he’s joined me in the business on a part-time basis while also keeping his finger in some external casual work.
Being able to focus on my business 100% without watching the clock is a game-changer. I don’t have to worry about:
- School pickups
- Juggling sick kids (though we usually take turns)
- School uniforms
- Cooking and cleaning
- After school activities
- Doctors appointments
The mental load is somewhat released.
Focused and productive
It’s amazing how much I achieve when I’m completely focused on the business. I’ve even scheduled in a CEO day once a week while I finish getting everything off my “gunna” list.
I’ve realised that the more time I have to finish a task, the more I procrastinate. When procrastination creeps in, or I feel overwhelmed by a long list, I find that setting a timer and working through things one by one is a great way to stay on track.
How can women succeed in business?
You have to set yourself up for success from day one. Start by deciding if this is a hobby or a business. There’s nothing wrong with a hobby or a side hustle, but making that distinction early helps you get in the right mindset.
I’ve been in business since I was 18. I’ve done full-time, part-time, and side hustles. I’ve even run a bricks and mortar giftware store before moving into e-commerce. I’ve seen it all.
Prioritise a wage
I can't stress this enough: pay yourself from the start. It’s a vital part of setting yourself and your small business up for long-term success in Australia. I prioritised a wage with She Rocks Digital in a way I never did with my previous businesses, and it’s the best move I’ve made.
Even if you’re reinvesting most of your profits, taking a small percentage gets you into the habit. Plus, making money is a great motivator to keep driving forward.
How I set up my small business financials
The best thing I did was follow a system similar to the Profit First Method. I break up my income based on percentages for:
- GST
- Tax
- My wage
- Everyday bills
- Annual bills
- Super
- Profit
Support for women in business around Australia
There’s plenty of support out there for female entrepreneurs. Most states have Enterprise Centres with advisors or specific programs for women in business. When I started out nearly 30 years ago, the advice was very general, but today’s business coaching and mentoring options have evolved significantly.
Where to find your people
Business is lonely if you’re just staring at your own four walls. I’m a big believer in getting out of the home office to connect with people who get it. Whether you're looking for business mentoring and coaching or just a chat, these are my go-to spots.
In person: Hobart and beyond.
If you're in Tassie, you'll likely spot me at these women in business networking events:
- Connect + Learn: Perfect for a morning hot chocolate and real conversation with no pressure to be "on."
- Women’s Network Australia (Hobart): This is full of creative energy and always gives me a fresh perspective on my goals.
- Business Greater Hobart: A relaxed monthly vibe where great networking happens over drinks.
- TCCI Business Connect: Refined bi-monthly evenings that skip the usual corporate awkwardness.
Online: Australia wide
If you need a business mentor and coach vibe online, my favourite corner of the internet is She Mentors. It’s a solid community for real talk where you can book sessions with mentors or offer your own expertise. It’s perfect for brainstorming or getting a second opinion.
Celebrating the women around me
To celebrate International Women’s Day, I’m featuring some of the incredible women rocking their businesses across the country.
I asked sent each lovely woman in business to share an honest piece of advice that they would give someone starting out right now. The unflitered truth.
Rebecca Christiansen, Absolute Baby
"I feel like every second person started a brand or business in the last 5 years, and unfortunately, they are realising the enormous amount of time, money and hard work that is needed and are closing.
So my unfiltered truth - don't think your brand is different/better than other online retailers. It is a lot of hard work running your own business. No one is there to really appreciate all your efforts (like a boss who gives you a 'thatta girl" when you complete a project).
I need to remind myself that I don't need a boss to witness and validate my efforts. They are reflected in repeat customers, positive reviews and word of mouth referrals."
Gillian Southwell, Tasmanian Occasion Hampers
"You need to have a passion for what you do. I love creating hampers, and I love supporting Tasmanian producers. So having this passion certainly helps me want to work on my business.
Also, having a mentor has been very beneficial, someone to guide you and keep you inspired and accountable. Having this encouragement is invaluable. Making sure all your systems are running properly and that record keeping is up to date is really important. Otherwise, things will get out of hand and make record keeping difficult.
I also think having a great website is an asset to your business. Having it professionally done from the beginning is definitely worth the time and money.
I love networking. It's great to learn about other businesses and also get your name out there. This is a really good support, also having other people who are in the same situation to be able to talk to and get advice from."
Karen Dess, Life Path Therapy & Readings
"I think that there are two guiding principles of business - "Knowledge is power" and "Everything takes longer than you think it will". As such, the one thing that I think women who are starting a business need to know about is all the free help and advice there is available to them. The truth is you’re not as alone as you think. There is an enormous amount of support available, starting with the federal government and state government programs that can help you with any aspect of business. These government organisations exist simply to provide you with step-by-step training on everything from ABNs to marketing strategy. They are largely free and also often include workshops, mentoring networks, templates, and grant guidance. Add to that YouTube, Google, and AI tools, and you have access to a global knowledge base that previous generations of women could only have dreamed of.
You no longer need to know everything before you begin your business. You just need to be willing to look things up, ask questions, and use what’s there across the local and global villages already available to you. You can start learning how to be in business now, or how to expand your business, even before you feel completely ready."
Gemma Merrick, Regular Jane's Fitness & Nutrition
"Starting up and running a business to be successful and profitable is hard - probably the hardest thing I have ever done (harder than motherhood), and still doing it.
There are days I feel like packing it in; the imposter syndrome, the profit margins, the emotional roller coaster and it's not just about doing the actual bits that I love about my business.
Yet, I'm here, choosing to be here because I love it; the empowerment, how I serve my wonderful clients and the impact I make on them and the community, the job satisfaction, the learning and growing and the creativity and flexibility I have makes it all worth it.
Knowing what I know now, only 6 years in, so still my business is still 'young' is to get as much professional support as you can, such as financial, marketing, a business coach, etc. Having those skills and knowledge in your toolkit is invaluable - we can't expect to know it all, nor do you have to. Afterall, that's why people choose us to help or provide for them."
Rebecca Tilley, Reach Gymnastics
"Building a sustainable, profitable business is not for the faint-hearted — but it also doesn’t have to cost you everything.
In the early years, yes, there are long days. There are seasons where you carry more than you thought possible. But I’ve learnt that building something that it is less about working 14 hours a day forever, and more about building systems, culture and people that can carry the vision with you.
Some of the biggest lessons I've learnt along the way are:
Know your numbers — intimately.
Confidence in business doesn’t come from hope, it comes from data. Understand where your revenue is coming from, where your expenses are going, and what actually drives profit. When you know your numbers, you can make bold decisions with clarity instead of fear.
Build a strong culture and protect it fiercely.
Your team will either multiply your impact or drain your energy. I’ve learnt to invest deeply in great people — paying fairly, creating career pathways and celebrating wins — while also being brave enough to address toxic behaviour quickly. Protecting culture protects momentum.
Take calculated risks, not reckless ones.
Some of our biggest growth moments came from stepping forward when others were hesitant. Expanding during uncertain times was intimidating, but it was backed by research, financial modelling and belief in our community. Courage paired with strategy is powerful.
Leadership evolves. So should you.
In the beginning, you do everything. Over time, you must learn to delegate, trust and empower others. Burnout is not a badge of honour. Sustainable success means building a business that can operate without you in every room.
And most importantly — enjoy it.
Celebrate the small wins. Mark the milestones. Surround yourself with other business owners who understand the pressure and the privilege of what you’re building. We have the opportunity to create employment, build confidence in others and shape our communities. That is something worth being proud of.
Being a female business owner isn’t just about proving we can do it — it’s about doing it well, doing it sustainably, and lifting others up along the way."
How do you celebrate your wins?
There are so many awards for business and for women in business, but sometimes the biggest win is just navigating the daily juggle with confidence. If you’re in Hobart, Business Greater Hobart is holding its inaugural business awards this August, with applications open later this month. And excitedly we’re sponsoring one of the award categories. Which means I’ll also be on the judging panel.
What’s your small business journey been like?
I love hearing how other women are building their brands. If you're ready to grow your digital presence but aren't sure where to start, let's chat about your goals.
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