I join other women in the industry for the Australian Retail Association Women in Retail Series

I can’t believe it has been ten years this month since I started my first retail business. Ten years ago (alongside my highly inspiring mother) we decided to do something risky. We imported and sold high-end luxury leather goods from South America through our exquisite flagship boutique in the Canberra Centre and an online store. At the time we were one of the largest importers of leather goods from Brazil to Australia.

A lot has happened since 2008, and I’m happy to share what I’ve learnt from this first retail business with Australian Retailers Association’s (ARA) Women in Retail Series. I’m pleased to help ARA kick off this unique series. I hope, alongside other female leaders, we help to build the confidence in female workers across the retail sector by sharing our positive experience in retail.

We want to inspire young people to achieve their professional and personal goals. The final stage of ARA’s Women in Retail Series will be a professional development and networking event in March next year with a keynote speaker and panel of female retail experts.

Turn to page 28 to read what I’ve learnt from my first retail business.

You can download the latest Australian Retail Association magazine here which features my journey through retail (both offline and online) over the past ten years.