CHEF Sophie Budd says she had to work harder than her male counterparts when she started out in the industry.
“That work ethic is still with me at 35, but it’s tough and a lot of women don’t last as chefs because of the long hours and it doesn’t often work to have a family,” she said.
“But I love waking up every morning and being with the people I work with.
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READ NOW“I don’t say yes to things I don’t want to do anymore; it’s a really good time for me.”
The Tastebudds Cooking Studio owner is among 32 women featured in the Extra.Ordinary Businesswomen book that will be released on International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8.
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Clarkson resident Clare McAlaney, who owns Creatavision Publishing, said the book profiling businesswomen ranging from chefs to real estate agents and medical professionals followed on from last year’s IWD release Inspirational WA Women.
Ms McAlaney said mentoring was a theme that she and co-writer Carmen Jenna wanted to capture.
“The women in the book take on a mentor role but also make it clear they had mentors too,” she said.
Ms Jenner said each businesswoman in the book had a business coach or mentor.
“They were quite happy to admit they haven’t done it on their own,” she said.
“What really rung true with me was how brave they all were.
“So many had suffered discrimination, health issues, financial issues and a lot of them reinvented themselves.
“Some rose through adversity and instead of falling in a heap they found their passion.”
Chemo@home co-founders Julie Adams and Lorna Cook share how they turned their nursing careers in to an innovative health care business.
Sue Pember runs three national businesses and aims to give working mothers opportunities, saying she became disillusioned at the way companies treated mums who could only work part-time.
The mum of two will emcee this year’s Business Women Australia Elegant Ladies Luncheon on IWD while Ms Adams, the WA Telstra Business Woman of the Year 2016, will be guest speaker.
Elegant Ladies Luncheon
When: Wednesday, March 8 from 12-3pm
Where: Rambla on Swan, South Perth
Tickets: From $125 at www.businesswomenaustralia.com.au