Illawarra Business Woman of the Year Helen Duckham is in control her own destiny

Having operated a small business out of her garage for years she wanted to own a space where she could expand her gumboot business, Pipduck Wellies.

"There are a lot of large, empty industrial spaces in the Wollongong area," says Duckham. "I drove around and looked at many of them. Renting just didn't sit well with me. I like to be in control of my investments."

Eventually Duckham settled on an empty warehouse on Port Kembla's Wentworth Street.

The 1940s building, that had been used to repair life rafts, was in good condition. Not only did it have a small shop front, but it also had the necessary space needed to allow Pipduck to thrive.

"I liked the idea that there were other small businesses on the street and that it was close to cafes," says Duckham. "I didn't want to be isolated in a large industrial estate."

Duckham designs high-fashion gumboots, from high-heeled cowboy boots to conservative twill and toile, and has them made in China, using the same high-end manufacturers as top European gumboot brand Hunter.

This year she was awarded the Illawarra Business Woman of the Year, a title that recognises her vision of creating a business that is flexible for employees in regards to their study and home commitments.

It was the reason why she began Pipduck 10 years ago, so she could be her own boss, be financially independent and be at home for her family when she needed. She is now in a position where she can offer a more pliable working environment for her three staff members.

"The award is great recognition for me," she says. "I guess because when you're in business, success is hard to gauge. You can see a monetary value in that you are paying staff and making money. But to be recognised and told that you are doing something valuable. That you are setting standards for work behaviour is just great."

Having finished a law degree at the age of 31 and working for the Equal Opportunity Commission in Victoria, Duckham realised a nine to five full-time position would not fit with her life plans.

"I wrote my honours thesis on the discrimination of women in the workforce and realised I had made a mistake," she says. "I'd spent seven years studying a double degree in order to obtain a vocation, but I was at a stage in my life when I wanted a family. Despite all the breakthroughs for women I did not think I could have children and an income that would allow me to be financially independent. It was a blow but from that position I was like a mad woman looking for a new career."

With no funds to create a family home, Duckham decided to risk everything and become an entrepreneur.

"I wanted a viable business but I also wanted to be able to completely control my time. So that if I was never available it wouldn't matter, I could get to people when I was ready. I also wanted arm's length communication.

"I wanted to be able to choose not to come into work for the next week, or if I wanted to work hard for three months straight I could. I work in different rhythms, sometimes I'm best at 2 o'clock in the morning."

She first had to decide on a niche product that would operate within a wholesale business model. One not available on the Australian market.

"For me it was about a formulae. I also needed to be able to lift and store the product," she says. "I had seen these high-end gumboots overseas. So I went with that."

At first Duckham began to import the gumboots made by Tamara Henriques and resell them in Australia - a trend that had already proved successful.

"I then realised that in order to grow the business I needed my own designs," she says.

She then also added raincoats and umbrellas to her collection. She has recently expanded the business overseas to South Africa and Japan.

Duckham moved to the Illawarra in 2006 with her former partner. She now has two children Astrid 7 and Odette 5.

"It's very exciting to see the extension of the business," she says. "To see it come of its own without me. I was there in the beginning and guided it, but now it has the energy that my staff bring to it. Other people now make it a popular and viable business. I own it, but it's not just me that makes it a success. It's my employees, the retailers who on-sell the product and the customers who look forward to the next range. The business now has a personality beyond me."

She says she has created a position in the market that makes it tough for any competitor.

"I'm the largest in designer gumboots for sure," she says.

"Nobody touches me. They wouldn't be crazy enough. I have over 150 styles and I need to hold seven pairs of each gumboot. Gumboots are bulky. They need a lot of space. If I had my time over again I don't think this would be the best business model, but having said that, it's worked very well for me."

As for the seedier side of Port Kembla, Duckham says it's improving.

"When I first moved here in 2013 there was a greater presence, but I think the street has really shifted. There are other businesses here now. But I'm not here to make money on-selling in retail, I'm here because of the warehouse. It suits me."

In the future Duckham would like to run courses teaching people on how to set up their own import or manufacturing business.

"We're very fortunate in Australia to be so close to China," she says. "We also have many Chinese people living here so we have greater access to intel. It's a unique position to be in."