LH AGENDA > Publisher's Choice - Interviews

Publisher’s Choice – Interviews

As the Managing Director of Dell Australia New Zealand, Angela Fox needs little introduction. After eight years at Dell, Angela returned to Australia last year to head up the tech giant as it builds on its PC roots to capitalise on opportunities in cloud technology, big data, mobile and security.

But there is much more to Angela than a long list of career achievements. A passionate leader and mentor, we chatted to Angela to find out more about her career, how she is leading from the front on diversity and inclusion, and of course, to get her tips on being a Leader in Heels.

When talking to Angela, her passion to make Dell a great place to work is immediately clear. She walks the talk.

It’s really important when leading an organisation that you are creating an environment where you are getting the best from every body in the business. You are creating an environment where, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or sexuality, people are comfortable putting their ideas forward.

Beyond the policies and employee resource groups at Dell, Angela considers that it’s critical she maintains an open door policy, as an important way to get a “pulse check” on the business. As leaders or perspective leaders, Angela recommends demonstrating what we stand for, and setting this expectation and tone across the leadership and business. For Angela, these days, this also includes a commitment to her health and wellbeing and ensuring that she leaves the office in time to have dinner and quality time with her family.

Career sponsors have been critical throughout Angela’s career. In her opinion, sponsorship is more than ensuring that she was considered for roles and opportunities, it was also about giving herself the confidence she needed to move forward in her career, even when she thought that she didn’t have the right skills for a particular role.

Despite a long list of business achievements, Angela’s passion is ensuring that she provides the same opportunities for her staff. When asked about her career highlight, Angela immediately reflects on the pride she feels watching the individuals that she has worked with, or had a part in developing or mentoring, blossom and grow to take on opportunities.

Angela’s understanding of the human element at work was also critical as she worked in Asia Pacific roles, and relocated to Singapore. Angela encourages Leaders in Heels’ readers to grab opportunities to work overseas, and immerse themselves in a different environment. While Angela credits these roles in giving her perspective on the emerging markets in the APAC region, it was her understanding of cultural differences that was critical to her success.

As Australians and Kiwis we tend to be pretty upfront and forthright. It’s the cultural awareness of how you work with the different cultures, and the humility of understanding what works, where you are working, that is key. You can’t just take who you are and apply it directly, you may need to adapt your communication style.

Since returning to Australia, and following the privitisation of Dell in 2014, Angela is focused on realising the potential of Dell to deliver in cloud technology, big data, mobile and security. She is working tirelessly to build channel capabilities, and continuing to adapt and change to the market conditions in Australia and New Zealand. She speaks with pride on the flexible and entrepreneurial environment that is fostered at Dell – with this real innovative and entrepreneurial spirit exactly what attracted Angela to Dell in the first place.

Angela Fox is a true example of a Leader in Heels. Before we finished our conversation, we made sure Angela shared her three tips on how to be a Leader in Heels with us:

Draw on the experience of those around you and trust their experience. The art of delegation is critical.
Build a culture of trust, communication and innovation. Just as importantly, make sure as a leader you are walking the talk.
Lead from the front! Be authentic. Be confident about who you are, what you are, and where you are. Lay the ground rules that work for you and stick to these with conviction.

In 2012, Leaders in Heels interviewed Kate Morris, the founder of Adore Beauty, who shared what she had learned starting her own business.

Two and a half years later, Adore Beauty has tripled its revenue to a turnover of more than $7 million. Now the leading Australian beauty website, Kate has the big international beauty retailers firmly in her sight.

A true cosmetics junkie, Kate’s passion for growing Adore Beauty is immediately apparent. After seeing Adore Beauty’s growth in the last three years, the next question for Kate is: if we can do this, what else can we do?

Are you embarking on the next stage of your business? Kate has shared her tips with Leaders in Heels to help you take your business to the next level:

Keep innovating

For Kate, it’s critical that Adore Beauty is at the cutting edge of retail innovation – which means accepting that the team has to have the courage to fail.

“You see this with a lot of new companies, they try a new thing once and when it doesn’t work they just stop. Of course, you can’t stop”

When something doesn’t go right or doesn’t work the way you had planned, ask yourself: what have I learned from this? Re-engineer the experiment to see how you can give it another go. Do you chuck it out, change it, or try again? The one key lesson that Kate has learned is to just keep going!

Focus on your culture

Working out your company’s values is key to guiding your strategy and decision-making. In Kate’s experience, life as a business owner will often present you with two paths that both seem okay. Resolve these challenges by having a clear picture in your mind about where you want the business to be in 10 years time. Kate recommends taking time out of the business to work out what values are important to you. What will make the business better? What will make it a place where your staff wants to work? What will make it a place that you want to work? What will make your customers come back?

Don’t be distracted by your competitors

While it is great to keep an eye on the landscape and reviewing the environment that you are doing business in, don’t fall into the trap of focusing on everyone else. Keep focused on how your business relates to your customers and your goals. What value are you driving?

Make sure everything is scalable

Can you get your goods out the door and maintain your customer experience? Make sure you plan to grow at a speed that grows and maintains your customer base.

Focus on your transition from founder to CEO

Be strict with yourself! You need to set up systems and start delegating to take your business forward.

“You have to get past the stage where you think ‘oh, this is easy, I’ll just do it!’ – there comes a point where this attitude holds the business back”

Kate has seen her role change over the last couple of years, and now looks to the key areas of her business where she can add significant value. As a CEO, she recommends hiring, supporting and trusting your staff to do their job, to help you focus on achieving your business goals. Kate also notes that there is a temptation to shy away from critically reviewing yourself and your performance: it is okay not to be good at everything! What is important is identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and considering training or mentoring if you need extra support.

Invest in your systems

Don’t shy away from difficulties updating your systems to the required level to support your growth. While Kate admits that replacing Adore Beauty’s entire ERP system while the business was moving presented a big challenge, it’s critical that your systems can support your growth.

So what’s next for Kate? From a rapidly expanding brand portfolio to spreading the word on Adore Beauty, we can’t wait to see what is in store for this inspiring entrepreneur.

Kate’s final piece of advice for Leaders in Heels readers: While growth is an exciting time for any business, don’t lose your head!

Our third Day in the Life series interview subject is an inspiring woman who wears many, many hats in the business world. Named the 2014 WA Business Woman of the Year winner, Sharon Warburton, is the Executive Director – Strategy & Finance of construction giant Brookfield Multiplex. She also holds other titles including Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), Not-for-profit Director of Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Management Committee Member for arcs, Advisory Board Member for Curtin Business School Asia Business Centre, and most recently founded Steel Heels, a business aimed at mentoring and supporting females in male-dominated industries.

Which begs the question on everyone’s mind – how does she do it?! Here’s a sneak peek into a typical day for Sharon and her tips for other aspiring businesswomen and entrepreneurs:

1. What time do you wake up?

Between 5am and 5.30am – depending on how many times I hit the snooze button and whether the noisy birds that hang out in my garden are in full song. My 4-year-old daughter usually wakes around 7am so I love the free hour of ‘me time’ in the morning. Usually I use this to exercise in my home gym.

2. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

Hydrate – water.

Then I check my Brookfield Multiplex emails – most of my Brookfield Multiplex team are based on the East Coast and I am based in Perth. With the current 3 hour time difference their day is underway when my alarm is going off. So just a quick email check to deal with any super urgent matters (and the rest waits until I get into office).

I find I often do my best thinking when working out in my home gym with my IPod on or ABCNews24 in the background.

3. Breakfast – on the go, work brunch, meal with the family first etc?

Breakfast is with my daughter before she goes to school and I go to the office. I avoid early work meetings and rarely attend brekkie functions. I try very hard to have meals with Chloe every day. This is our special time.

4. How do you get to work and how long does it take?

I drive to work which can take between 20 and 40 minutes depending on traffic. I work from home if possible until after peak hour to minimise driving time but I use that time on the car phone for the entire journey – chatting to mentees, my PA or my staff.

5. Lunch?

Usually a five minute break for a quick soup or salad and I read the online newspapers. For me it’s best I don’t take a lunch break so I can get out of the office earlier at the end of the day. But there is occasionally a business lunch, seminar or networking function in the CBD. Face-to-face meetings with people are really valuable.

6. What are the typical things you do every day?

Exercise, keeps me grounded and provides thinking time. Meal times with my daughter and reading stories at bedtime. Keeping up to date on current affairs and industry news through online newspapers including all press articles on mining and construction industries. Brainstorm ideas for Steel Heels. And my Steel Heels and personal email, Facebook and Twitter accounts are time consuming but rewarding, I love the interaction with people on these.I also catch up on the phone with my boyfriend.Daydream about my next holiday…

All my work related items are structured flexibly, so I can make this all work.

7. What decisions do you make and what is their impact?

I rarely get involved in the day-to-day running of the businesses I work for, however I provide support to my colleagues when requested. I also try to get to site whenever possible – it is both the people and the on-the-ground construction activity that interests me the most about my role. As a Director I make strategic decisions impacting the long term direction of businesses which are significant and far reaching.

8. What do you love most about your job?

I love that no two days are the same, and the variety of my work given the “multiple hats” I wear. I love being able to think across the entire value chain of the businesses. And the people I work with continually inspire and challenge me. I highly value the autonomy I have and the flexibility I have around where and when I work.

9. How do manage all the tasks you need to do including Steel Heels?

I have a positive mindset – ‘yes I can’ attitude. I focus my energy on ways to get things done. I am sympathetic to the view that ‘women can’t have it all’ however I believe we can each have and do a lot more than we think. I constantly prioritise and focus on the important stuff. I have very strong boundaries to help me stay focused. I rely on a very strong and diverse support network to help me. I employ amazing and talented people and I empower them. I spend time in the evenings after my daughter is asleep working on a range of things – including FMG Board and Committee papers or developing my business: www.steelheels.com.au

I challenge myself daily to ensure my own self-confidence levels are maintained and I create space to allow personal growth. I believe self-confidence is the key to anyone’s success – whatever their gender.

10. When is hometime?

This varies. I love being able to pick up my daughter from school and try to do that whenever my diary permits. My PA has a “no meetings after 3pm” policy to give me this flexibility. My preference is to leave the office early then finish my work after my daughter is asleep.

11. How do you relax when you do get home?

Spending quality time with my daughter, hearing about her day at school and we try to go for a walk along the beach and watch the sunset. Storytime with her is lots of fun too. On Wednesday evenings I do yoga, mid-week yoga is essential for me maintaining a healthy body and mind.

I enjoy reading, taking care of my garden and occasionally will watch some trash TV to unwind.

12. How do you manage the balance between work and personal life?

Most importantly, I believe in myself and believe I can balance how I want to. Then I focus on the things that are really important to me. I accept I am not superwoman and I don’t aspire to be. My values are clearly defined; unless things are directly connected with quality time with my daughter I don’t feel the need to do them personally.

I hear myself regularly saying three things to my mentees about work/life balance: empower your team, create strong support networks, work out where you need help and get it – no guilt. And most importantly believe in yourself.

13. How has the work environment/business changed from when you first began?

When I first joined the mining industry it really was very blokey. I am so pleased to see how much it has changed over the last two decades – there is always room for improvement – however we should acknowledge the good work that has been done to date.

I used to often be the only female in the work environment and at times was the only female visiting the mine sites. I was one of the first female managers in Australia. It is so exciting to see women in many site based roles these days.

In the early part of my career it was commonplace for people to think you were promoted for reasons other than hard work. I don’t see or hear this behaviour today.

The construction industry has also changed dramatically. A management meeting ten years ago was full of rough language and all the behaviours you might imagine. There are times I recall chairing meetings where the rest of the people around the table (all male) would almost freeze you out and the meeting would happen as if you were not there. They wouldn’t talk to a female. Thankfully I don’t see that extreme behaviour now. These days the industry nurtures a very respectful environment (certainly in the organisations I work for).

The construction and mining work environments have come a long way. I would certainly recommend them as great career options for females.

14. How did it feel to win WA Business Woman of the Year?

It was a very strange feeling – I was overwhelmed and shocked and surprised. But above all I was so excited. Until the nomination, I did not realise I had such a powerful career story to tell nor did I realise that others would want to acknowledge my successes.

I had many friends, family and colleagues there with me on the night. It was so much fun to be able to celebrate with them. Celebrating success is so fundamental to creating a winning culture. I was surprised about how many women contacted me after the win, seeking mentoring support.

This, as well as the self-confidence boost I got from winning the award, led me to create www.steelheels.com.au.

15. Who and/or what inspires you?

My desire to provide for my daughter and be a role model for younger peers in male dominated industries drives and inspires me. I hope sharing my experiences helps attract and retain women in these industries.

I am motivated and inspired by many. Top of my list at the moment is our Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. I admire her ability to stand tall and outperform on the world stage, shine in a male dominated environment and to maintain her health and fitness. I absolutely love her jewellery collection too!

16. Why do you do what you do?

I do things because they make me happy. I do things that are fun and which I enjoy. If something is not fun for me then I stop doing it. I am passionate about supporting others in their quest to find success in what have been traditionally male dominated environments. These days I get just as much of a kick out of this work as I do closing a big deal or locking away another strategic plan.

I am inspired to connect with kids in the bush who dare to dream. As a country kid myself, I know what it takes to work hard and succeed around the world. I will encourage them to think big and to go after their dreams.

I have done the hard yards particularly around having self-confidence in the work environment. I am inspired to share my learnings with the next generation with the aim of helping to achieve greater gender diversity in the workplace. This is my vision for www.steelheels.com.au.

17. Tips for aspiring businesswomen?

My lessons for success:

Act with confidence. “Focus on why you can do things, rather than why you can’t.”
Learn from your peers. “Don’t underestimate the power of what you can learn from those around you in your current work environment.”
Be authentic and open. “Show your emotions, communicate openly and always be approachable and supporting”.
Identify good leaders in the community and follow them. “You can follow a leader and learn so much from the way they’re doing things.”
Expand your skills and knowledge. “As early as you can in your career, look for roles to broaden your experience.”
Develop experience in strategy. “Great leaders have the ability to think strategically. Get some experience in strategy, whether that’s through reading or study or coat-tailing someone in leadership roles in your organisation.”

18. How do you define success?

Success is anything that gives me the feelings of contentment and happiness.

19. What challenges have you faced in the business and how do you overcome them?

There have been many challenges over the years. Some that come to mind are:

(1) In the early part of my career it was commonplace for people to think I was promoted for reasons other than hard work. I was ill-equipped to deal with such feedback and I responded by putting my head down and working even harder.

(2) These days I am a ‘reformed workaholic’. I found the transition from globetrotting workaholic to flexible working Mum very challenging. Dealing with feelings of guilt was really challenging – guilt that I was not home with my daughter 24/7, guilt that I wasn’t working the hours I used to, incorrectly assessing what was required to support my work colleagues! I relied heavy on my friends, family and my mentors during this period. I spoke openly of my thoughts and found comfort from sharing my feelings regularly. I found that people did not judge me, and the productivity of both myself and my team increased because we were in a positive open environment.

(3) I was announced 2014 Telstra WA Business Woman of the Year but did not achieve success at the National awards. Through not achieving this goal, I realised why winning is so important to me. To succeed in the male dominated industries of construction/mining I have had to outperform to feel accepted and I always ‘won’. Acknowledging success without winning has been a challenge and I congratulate the winners again – these women deserve huge accolades for the work they do. I overcame this sense of failure by sharing my thoughts via my blog post Why winning isn’t everything. I truly believe this has been a defining moment of personal growth and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

What challenges have you faced in the workplace and how have you overcome them? Tell us in the comments below!

Photo credit: Shaun Patterson

Arianna Huffington said, “The difference between failure and success is perseverance”.

Whilst Huffington’s humble beginnings are now well known, there are others, who, even here in Australia, have overcome adversity to finally make it in the chosen career, and have not just survived, but thrived.

Meet Eleni Zaphir, who, at just 15 years old, found herself pregnant and scared for her future. She now runs her own fashion boutique, Vigari Fashion, in Brisbane. “I have been designing, and now manufacturing my own line of clothing and jewellery”, Eleni says. “I am selling to the Australian market and will soon be hitting the USA”.

Eleni talks about how she felt, how she rose above her fear and what other women can do conquer persevere in their business, careers and lives.

I was a 15-year-old girl with a 15-year-old mindset

Finding out I was pregnant at 15 was the most terrifying emotion I had ever come across. Not sure what to do or who to talk to, I decided it be best if I left home with my then boyfriend. I felt it would be the ultimate humiliation to my family to have a child at my age, and a boyfriend alone who was 4 years older than me. I was a 15-year-old girl with a 15-year-old mindset.

Dark days came

It came soon after settling to our new home that I experienced physical and emotional abuse from my child’s father. It was such a horrific time in my life, but I was raised with the mindset of marrying once and having children with that one man.

Get resources and educate yourself

I delved into pregnancy books at a local library, learning everything I could about my baby at every stage she was developing to keep myself busy. At that point in my life, becoming a mother was all dreamed of. Because I was in an abusive relationship, the only thing that kept my hopes up and bringing any kind of happiness was having a child that I could love and adore, and she too would love me.

Surround yourself with good people

I didn’t have much of a support system when I first left home. But after several occasions of dealing with the physical abuse, the hospital advised I seek assistance from a homeless woman’s shelter. It was so terrifying to not only encounter being a runaway with a false identity, but missing my family so, so much, to then be dealing with the abuse most days. I stayed at the shelter several times to then always go back to my child’s father, believing he had sought help for his temper. And of course, this was never the case.

Recognise your worth

I decided to open my own store at the age of 27. I was over building up other people’s businesses and not being recognised for my hard work. I decided fashion was something I admired. I knew a few people in the wholesale fashion industry so I had the right contacts for the right products. I decided to invest in what little I had in my bank account at the time, and just went for gold. And I have been happily in business for over 8 years now.

Invest time in yourself and your growth

As I wanted to start well with my first retail store, I had to invest a lot of time to find the most ideal position to set up shop in. As well as doing all the regular background research, I would actually go to the area and sit there for hours, just observing everyone and every thing. Just some things I remember thinking were:

Are these people my customers?
Will people come to my store?
If I have the right products, can I make this store a destination boutique?

Thanks to my research, I was really able have a jump start. VIGARI was something Brisbane needed, not only for its exceptional service and styling advice but having the products women wanted – at a fraction of the price. The VIGARI brand has been continuing successfully ever since.

Rewards come through great perseverance

There was literally no time to think about my busy schedule. I had a routine I wanted to follow: preparation with meals at home, and making sure I made room for family time. I remember being so tired. I didn’t hire staff until 11 months into my business, even if my store was open 7 days. By some miracle, however, it worked out, and I now have a fantastic business and an even more fantastic relationship with my kids.

I look back at it all sometimes and think, “Wow, how did I do it?”

Preparation and being organised are key to juggling career and family life

It doesn’t take much to sit down on a Sunday for 15 minutes and plan what foods to cook that week – this helps with what groceries to then buy. Planning your calendar with weekend events and/or play dates with family & friends is a must, too, and I personally like effortless events. Just pack some rolls for a sausage sizzle at your local park and let the kids run wild. I loved things that tired the kids out so they were in bed early!

Think good thoughts, speak good words and take good actions

My children know how much I value good, positive behaviours. When you have the mind to be focused and positive, anything and everything you want can prevail. Being lazy is my pet hate. But it all starts with the mindset.

Our motto is, “Think good thoughts, speak good words and take good actions.” When you have all 3, you can conquer the world. My daughter has a sensational job in dentistry, and my son has developed an amazing career is producing music.

Featured image courtesy of Eleni Zaphir

Erica Enriquez
Erica is a Sydney-based writer and digital marketer, and can often be found pounding away on a keyboard, writing about everything from travel, lifestyle, well-being and anything in between. When she is not writing, she is STILL writing, developing copy and content for websites and marketing collateral. Erica is passionate about film, literature and culture (high brow and low brow), as well as pro-social causes supporting cultural engagement (counting travelling as one of them). In her spare time, she loves nothing more than to curl up with a good book, go for a nice dinner with friends or spend time with her partner.

Interview with Kate Burleigh, Managing Director, Intel Australia New Zealand

I recently interviewed Kate Burleigh, Managing Director of Intel Australia New Zealand. Kate is one of Leaders in Heels’ key panel members in the upcoming 50|50 Future Leaders event (September 2nd, Swissotel Sydney).

Initially I was to write a quick profile piece about her career path, but what struck me was that regardless of the path she had travelled to get to where she was, underlying it all seemed to be some outstanding qualities.

Kate has a remarkable blend of confidence and determination.

Both of these qualities seem effortless, and both seem to have been pivotal in carving out her career path.

She is a confident communicator, which is something she admits she had to work on when she was starting out.

“Earlier on in my career, I think my voice wasn’t heard as strongly as it should have been. I learnt pretty quickly that I have to re-articulate my message in order for it to get through.”

Her determination is evident in her track record of taking on and mastering new challenges.

It’s the nature of the fast-moving tech industry that has allowed Kate to work her way through various roles at Intel. The company often takes on new projects and moves in new directions. Kate has always stepped up to meet new challenges and learn unfamiliar parts of the business.

“I would say I identify pretty quickly where I need to work harder to improve my skills and what’s needed to get to the next level. There have been times in my career where I dedicated myself to that. I’d put myself on a steep learning curve and then at other times it would flattened out as I settled in and focused on excelling in that role.”

Her innate confidence and determination to grow has her perfectly positioned as a Managing Director with a deep understanding of many parts of the business. Kate is certainly suited to working in the tech-sector.

“I have a natural inquisitiveness around technology and invention. You have to in this industry.”

She is passionate about the future of technology. She encourages her children to not only use technology, but understand it deeply.

“We want our children to understand how technology works – to not just be consumers, but creators. That’s really prudent, otherwise they will be at the mercy of what’s being pushed down at them.”

She is amazed at how creative kids can be with technology and encourages all ages to be fearless when it comes to trying new things.

“The main thing to remember with most technology is that you can’t really break it. There’s always a reset button or start again. Just go and do it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Kate will be one of the panel members at the 50|50 Future Leaders event on September 2nd. Secure your tickets here.

What qualities do you believe you need to carve out your own career path? Share your comments below.

Sally Miles – Sally is the Women’s Editor at Leaders in Heels. She is a Sydney-based mum to two children, wife to one husband, renovator to half a house and squeezes in full-time work as a publisher amid the chaos.

Did you know Australians spent about $1 billion on cosmetic surgery and treatments in 2011 driven by an ageing population? An Australian survey conducted by Bella Media in March/April 2013 found face and neck lift surgery were amongst the top surgical procedures readers felt they were likely to undergo in future while almost 60% of respondents refer to magazines for information on cosmetic procedures.

15 years ago, Michelle Kearney, a pharmacist living in Italy, saw the lack of information available in the market to those considering cosmetic enhancements or surgery. This gap led her to introduce Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty magazine which is currently celebrating it’s 60th issue since launching in May 1998.

Leaders in Heels talks to Editor in Chief and Founder Michelle about this milestone.

1. You have a background in Pharmacy, what sparked your interest in cosmetic surgery?
As a pharmacist I know the importance of research and factual information and, while I was living in Italy in the late 90s, a prominent Italian news anchor underwent a facelift and breast augmentation procedure after her public and very messy divorce. ‘New face, new body, new life’ was emblazoned across the media and the cosmetic surgeons I had become acquainted with socially, bemoaned the fact that the coming months would see hordes of women visiting them for all the wrong reasons.

There was no trustworthy information available on cosmetic surgery procedures and the biggest problem was with patients who had unrealistic expectations of their outcomes. I realised there was a need for an authoritative source of information on cosmetic procedures, devices and emerging technologies, and my interest was sparked. In Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine we do not feature celebrity surgeries and avoid words such as ‘perfect’ or ‘normal’ – the role of the magazine is to arm prospective patients with reliable and balanced information that will enable them to make an informed decision.the role of the magazine is to arm prospective patients with reliable and balanced information that will enable them to make an informed decision

2. What was the cosmetic landscape like when you first launched the magazine 15 years ago?
15 years ago, cosmetic surgery was still largely seen as the domain of the rich and famous. Whilst an increasing number of people were interested in cosmetic enhancement, the procedures available then were nothing like what they are today – non-surgical procedures such as cosmetic injectables and laser resurfacing, for example, were yet to be popularised.

3. What are some of the challenges you faced when trying to establish and manage the magazine?
When I launched the magazine in 1998, cosmetic surgery wasn’t part of mainstream medicine and wasn’t ‘socially acceptable’. Cosmetic enhancement still had a stigma attached to it and many people associated it with vanity. The biggest challenge we faced was having to change the culture of Australia, and I’m proud to have played a role in altering the way cosmetic surgery is viewed today.

Of course, as an independent publisher, we also had to overcome the obstacles that presented. One of the achievements I’m most proud of is the fact we have weathered many of the storms other less targeted titles haven’t, and have come out bigger and better than ever, this year marking our 15th year and 60th issue of Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine.

4. What is your life’s motto?
It may not be very ladylike but I’ve always lived by the motto, ‘No guts no glory’. I suppose another way of saying this would be, ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway!’

5. What is your definition of beauty?
I’m a firm believer that inner confidence exudes outer beauty.

6. What is the one thing that women considering cosmetic surgery need to know?
Both men and women should acknowledge that cosmetic surgery, whilst elective, is still surgery, and therefore carries the risks and potential complications inherent to any surgical procedure. It’s therefore important people do their research before hand in order to make an informed decision.

7. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
To never wait for things to happen – make them happen yourself through hard work and never giving up.

8. Name 3 skills/traits that women in business need to have in order to achieve their goals.
Believe in yourself; believe in your vision; and never take things personally.

Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty Magazine is a quarterly publication published by Bella Media, RRP $14.95.

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