That is part of what Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) will be celebrating this Friday at the 10th Illawarra business women’s awards.

The first awards were held in March 2009 and have become a highly sought after badge of honour for businesswomen in the region.

Mrs Papac said the feedback from entrants over the years was that win, lose or draw the process was a great exercise in self analysis of their business and a good exercise in personal development.

She said it had also been a great to unearth new businesses and others who had been flying under the radar for years without seeking recongition. In the proces she has discovered some amazing stories. 

“We have many businesswomen in our community with viable, sustainable businesses who are going beyond in many ways,” she said. 

“Part of IWIB’s ethos is about community, giving back to the community and this has been encouraged for the past 12 years at IWIB.”

“We encourage business people to be actively involved in the community as part of our corporate social responsibility. Many of our members have taken this on board and are out there being actively involved, giving back to the community.”

Mrs Papac said her favourite memory from the last 12 years at IWIB though was having guest speaker Turia Pitt as a speaker twice.

“And I am looking forward to her coming back again as speaker at our last lunch for the year in November with a different story to tell now she is a mother,” she said.

“Turia is probably the most inspiring and motivating person I have met, and take on board her daily mentoring on social media.” 

Asked about her favourite memory from the past 10 years of awards was every awards day.

Her other favourite thing about the awards is “when the judges phone through their category winners and highly commended to me, every year I look forward to receiving the results”.

A highlight this year has been going to each sponsor and head judge and interviewing them on what they thought about the finalists this year.

“Every judge this year had a very difficult time with the calibre of finalists and all commented that it was the most difficult year they have experienced for judging,” she said.

Mrs Papac said it was uplifting to receive an email from Katrina Rowland, of Mortgage Success, who was the inaugural IWIB Business Woman of the Year in 2009.  

Ms Rowland said winning an award brought real rewards of recognition and a noted level of excellence to your current and future customers. It also brings pride and self satisfaction.

Story from the 10^th anniversary of IWIB in 2016. 

Illawarra Women in Business director Glenda Papac took over running of the peak women's networking group in 2006 after IWIB started in 2004.

Under the direction of Mrs Papac and her friend Delyse Del Turco for seven of the 10 years the peak businesswomen’s networking group has grown from strength to strength.

So much so it is now one of the biggest and most active networking bodies in the state.

It originally met every six weeks at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant in Wollongong with up to 250 women on its database by 2007 when more than 100 women attended meetings.

At the outset Mrs Papac said the aim of IWIB was to help the women of the Illawarra grow their business by active interaction with others in the best possible networking environment.

That was achieved by her strong leadership, her interest in every business involved and he continued support and encouragement.

Mrs Papac said it was a particularly good environment for women just starting out in their businesses, as well as for women established in their businesses and looking to build their business.

Over the last decade IWIB has provided women with the opportunity to develop business relationships, refer work to each other, access joint marketing initiatives, seek advice from other women in business and build friendships.

The meetings are attended by a cross-section of women of all ages from a broad range of businesses.

A growing number of men have become involved over the years as well and are encouraged to contribute.

Mrs Papac has always ensured IWIB is Illawarra-run for businesses in the Illawarra and that all money raises for charity stays in the region. 

Every meeting supports a nominated charity and has featured an interesting guest speaker.

Mrs Papac is always one to step out and try new things and during the last decade there have been many innovations.

One of her goals has been to help more women become actively involved in prominent leadership roles in the community.

She also encouraged them to continually enter awards. And says that is as much about what you learn in the process as anything else.

To date everything she had tried has worked. And many in business circles think it is a pity Mrs Papac is not able to enter the awards herself.

The IWIB awards are only one of her successes. 

Others have been the informal IWIB Coffee Club networking events and large lunches with high profile speakers such as Turia Pitt, Dawn Fraser and Mark Bouris.

 IWIB now hosts two big lunches a year that are attended by up to 450 people.

The Ian Thorpe lunch in September is the next one. It is timed for just after the Rio Olympics.

When Mrs Del Turco decided she needed to stand down as a director to focus on other things in 2014 an advisory board was established to help Mrs Papac run what has become a dynamic peak networking group for businesswomen.

Those board members are the Disability Trust’s Margaret Biggs, Hillross Fairy Meadow’s Dianne Chalk and Illawarra ITeC business development manager Virginia Wren.

Looking ahead to the next decade of IWIB one thing is for sure. Mrs Papac and her advisory board will continue to innovate and grow the networking group for the good of everyone involved and the region.

Dynamic duo share in business success

KATRINA Rowlands and Angela Saville are today celebrating the honour of being the first Illawarra Business Women of the Year.

The two female role models received the honour at yesterday's first Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) awards at the Lagoon Restaurant.

IWIB directors Delyse Del Turco and Glenda Papac said there had been a great response to the inaugural awards, designed to celebrate and encourage achievement and promote positive role models for other women.

Mrs Papac said many had used the awards experience to help build their business profiles.

In entering, they had to demonstrate ambition, energy, skill, vision and tangible business success. And that is exactly what the judges saw in 2009 IWIB Illawarra Business Woman of the Year Katrina Rowlands.

They described her as a vivacious, multi-award-winning entrepreneur driven by a passion to be the first and best-choice financial services provider. They said she was well known and highly respected by her peers in a male-dominated industry.

As one of a select few high-profile women in the mortgage business she had become an important role model for diversity. What also impressed the judges was Ms Rowlands' mentoring of younger women entering the profession.

The citation read: "Katrina's remarkable integrity, dedication and warmth, combined with a down-to-earth business savvy, is evidenced by all who meet her. She is both humbled and honoured by the accolades she receives from her peers, her team (who nominated her for this award) and her many satisfied clients."

Ms Rowlands wrote in her submission that her inspiration came from a deep-seated wish to be happy.

And no-one was more proud of her yesterday than her partner in business and in life, John, and her four children.

Ms Rowlands said the recognition was appreciated because she knew what she did was the best that she could do.

To be acknowledged for that locally meant people in this region recognised her hard work. She said it was a long, hard road to succeed in any business but even harder for a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Ms Rowlands said she was happy for IWIB to use her as a role model.

"I encourage others to really work to their full potential, especially women. I think the world is open to all of you to really do the best and be the best you can be. There is no marker to achieve that. It is just the satisfaction to know you have done the best you can. And the more you can share that with others is fantastic."

Illawarra Young Business Woman of the Year Angela Saville was recognised for her decision to transform a hobby into a very successful business that had reaped enormous benefits for the Illawarra.

The judges were impressed by the way she took the gamble to leave her secure employment in the education system to set up a business that now employs many other Illawarra people. They said along the way she had developed skills in all aspects of her business, from management and marketing to financial matters.

Her citation read: "Savvy Fitness is enhancing the health and well-being of growing numbers of both young and more mature Illawarra citizens and is complemented by the many charitable initiatives that she runs."

Mrs Saville said the win was very unexpected, much appreciated and a real privilege to receive in front of so many impressive women.

"We are all passionate in what we do which, I think, is the secret ingredient to being successful," she said.

BEST IN BUSINESS

2009 IWIB Illawarra Business Woman of the Year:

2009 Young Business Woman of the year:

Sisterhood savours achievers

LAST year was an incredible year for Angela Saville, and 2010 is shaping up the same way.

She was acknowledged at yesterday's Illawarra Women In Business (IWIB) awards as a wonderful role model and inspiration to other women business leaders in the Illawarra.

The Savvy Health and Fitness proprietor was widely applauded when she was announced as Illawarra Business Woman of the Year.

Mrs Saville started 2009 by being named IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year and ended it by being named Illawarra Young Business Person of the Year.

Around that, she supported husband Glen Saville as he backed Mat Campbell in the quest to save the Wollongong Hawks and helped the team reach the NBL grand finals.

The Illawarra Grammar School deputy headmaster Monica Watt was highly commended in the Business Woman of the Year category.

The judges said Mrs Saville took a positive approach to business and through her passion for her work had helped thousands of people improve their health and well-being: "Angela has achieved strong growth, with a clever and innovative brand strategy leading to an iconic business profile.

"Her business culture and approach is overwhelming positive and she has taken a leadership role to work collaboratively with her competitors for the benefit of the fitness industry.

"She also makes a positive contribution to the community through charity fundraising and contribution to schools and sporting teams."

Amy Harper of Kells the Lawyers was named IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year, and Carrie Baldwin of Streamlined Bookkeeping was highly commended.

The judges said Mrs Harper showed great leadership, commitment and pride in her community.

They described her as quiet and unassuming with great personal values, commitment and professionalism when dealing with clients, mentoring junior staff or working in the general community.

The IWIB Best Business Award went to Angel Recruitment & Consultancy Group, and Domina Insurance, run by Karen Ferguson, was highly commended.

Angel Recruitment was recognised for the way Beti Krsteski developed a one-person concept into a growing recruitment group.

Like an angel who is there when people need her, she broke into an established marketplace by valuing each candidate individually.

In the process, Angel Recruitment initiated a youth employment strategy in the region, and has been heavily involved in International Women's Day Illawarra, Women on Boards and JCI Illawarra.

Rossi Simicic Lawyers was named Best Small Business and Phytness Physiotherapy's Nicole Frost and Angela Rodwell were highly commended.

The judges said Luciana Rossi and Tiana Simicic's success was driven by their passion and motivation for providing high-quality legal services and their enthusiasm for mentoring and providing training and development opportunities for young lawyers, ongoing community support and promotion of green work practices.

Love Being Woman won the Best Home Based Business Award, with Anne and Nicole Floral Designers highly commended.

The judges said Love Being Woman directors Kris Morgan and Lisa Hughes demonstrated a clear business vision, had a well-researched, clearly defined business plan and had shown how a small home-based business could be successfully developed.

Rudd, Viselli top women's awards

Carmen Rudd and Natalie Viselli have been named as the Illawarra Business Woman of the Year and Illawarra Young Business Woman of the Year.

The prestigious awards were announced when Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) directors Glenda Papac and Delyse Del Turco yesterday hosted the third annual IWIB Illawarra Business Women's Awards.

Mrs Rudd was recognised for her role in developing Wollongong Serviced Apartments into a leading accommodation venue, developing an innovative new business called Illawarra Concierge and using her business successes to make a difference to many people in the Wollongong community and around the world.

She was chosen from 20 finalists for making many significant contributions with her time, talents and resources.

This year's awards had double the number of entries from 2010.

In accepting her award, Mrs Rudd acknowledged her late father Paul Gauci for inspiring her in business.

Ms Viselli, a senior research manager with IRIS Research, was hailed as a great role model for all young women in the region.

She was recognised for her outstanding leadership at work and with organisations such as JCI lllawarra, her enthusiasm, her energy and the tireless way she has inspired others to do well.

However, Ms Viselli surprised everyone when she revealed she had recently made a very difficult decision to move to Canberra, to be with her partner.

The judges said the standard of entries this year was a testament to how many outstanding young business women there were in the Illawarra.

A highly commended award in the IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year category went to Alita Ashcroft, of Contours Woonona and Dapto.

It was a great day for Ms Ashcroft and her business partner Alexandra Blake.

Contours Dapto was named IWIB Best Business and Contours Woonona the best small business.

The judges said the two young business women stood out for creating systemised processes to ensure business continuity.

They also gave back to the community through health education for children, the mentally ill, middle aged and elderly women, mentored and motivated their staff and created social, educational and healthy communities within their business.

Shortly after Contours Woonona was established in October 2006 it was ranked the number one Contours franchisee in NSW and number two in Australia.

More than 80 per cent of all new members at Contours Woonona and Dapto are women who have never exercised before.

Ann + Nicole Floral Designers, owned by Ann Crasti and Nicole Goodyer, was recognised as the best home-based business.

The judges said the small enterprise had carefully planned its growth and development, clearly understood and capitalised upon its strengths and had implemented well defined strategies to overcome the challenges of being a home-based business.

The Best New Business was Renewable Recyclers.

Since the start of trading last March the business owned by Alison Perizi has seen its team grow from five to 14, diverted over 180 tonnes of toxic e-waste from landfill, provided 122 refurbished computers for the community, planted 360 trees through its customer loyalty program and worked tirelessly towards building a sustainable Illawarra.

It has also created job opportunities for people who face barriers with mainstream employment.

Margaret Biggs, of The Illawarra Grammar School, was named IWIB Networking Champion of the Year and was described as an outstanding member of the business community.

"Margaret is the person you go to when you need to know something or someone," IWIB director Glenda Papac said.

"These awards showcase outstanding examples of how women in the Illawarra are driving forward the local economy.

"These awards are recognised as a highlight for women in the Illawarra business community and as a highlight in the annual business calendar," she said.

"The number of applicants received this year has doubled."

BEST OF THE BEST

■ ILLAWARRA BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR:

■ YOUNG BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR:

■ BEST BUSINESS:

■ BEST SMALL BUSINESS:

■ HOME-BASED BUSINESS:

■ BEST NEW BUSINESS:

■ NETWORKING CHAMPION OF THE YEAR:

Women making their mark

Illawarra Women in Business have named Margaret Bowen, of The Disability Trust, 2012 Illawarra Business Woman of the Year.

Mrs Bowen was recognised at the 2012 IWIB Illawarra Business Women Awards for taking a humble company with four employees 25 years ago to an organisation with 700 people.

The judges said she had passion and commitment to developing quality services that met the needs of clients, families and carers.

Illawarra Young Business Woman of the Year was Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, Novotel Brighton and Mercure Gerringong human resources manager Emily Squires, who has initiated numerous programs for staff, customers and the community and had overseen an employee satisfaction rate of 98.7 per cent and a successful indigenous employment program.

She was also the inspiration behind the Amazing Race Wollongong, which raised $15,000 for Mission Australia and acts as a mentor and role model for staff as well as hospitality and events students at TAFE and university.

The new Business Woman of the Future category went to former St Mary's College student Melissa Ljubic, who is doing the final year of a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce at UOW.

She has combined her passion for social justice with her interest in economics and business and recently returned from Washington after an internship on Capitol Hill.

The Networking Champion Award was presented to Vi Blazevska, of ANZ Bank Wollongong, and the Best New Business Award went to Skin Correctives, founded 14 months ago by Karen Meiring De Gonzalez.

Butler Creative was named Best Home-Based Business and Cheboom Bridal won the Best Small Business Award.

Last year's businesswoman of the year Carmen Rudd tasted more success in 2012, with Wollongong Serviced Apartments named Best Business.

IWIB Illawarra Business Women Award winners.