Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards

Welcome Message Overview How it works Judging Terms & Conditions Categories

Welcome Message

Brenda Robinson

2022 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION ENTREPRENEUR

Winning the inaugural Australian Women's Small Business Champion Entrepreneur was a huge honour and privilege. It was also a great opportunity to confidently showcase my business Robinsons Honey and achieve global recognition and acknowledgement as a business leader from my peers and industry. Thank you to Precedent Productions for creating the opportunity for me to receive such a prestigious award.

Estelle Cornell

2022 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION WOMAN ICON

What a privilege and honour it is to be chosen as the inaugural 2022 Australian Small Business Champion Woman Icon. I congratulate all of the finalists and thank each and every sponsor. Most of all, I would like to thank Steve Loe from Precedent Productions for having the vision and tenacity to create these businesswoman awards.

I was very emotional and excited on the night when I heard my name called out as the winner. I received calls, messages, flowers, and congratulating text from people from all over the country, and still today receiving wonderful feedback from industry leaders and community. I especially send love and thank my family, my team around me and most of all my customers. I feel very humble and grateful and shall encourage businesswoman across the country to enter this prestigious award.

Kate Toon

2022 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION INFLUENTIAL WOMAN

I was beyond delighted to be named the 2022 Small Business Champion Influential Woman.

I've worked hard to spread good vibes and positive messages for women in business and this felt like some serious recognition of my hard work. Sharing the news with peers and clients was a highlight of my year and gave me a genuine glow of pride. I love what Precedent are doing to highlight small business humans (when usually it's just the big brands that get recognition). I'm excited to enter again next year (for a different category) and seriously hope I make the finalist list not least because it will mean I can go to the amazing awards ceremony!

Steve Loe

AWARDS FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRECEDENT PRODUCTIONS

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 2023 Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards. Now is the time to showcase and honour the impressive work of women in small business!

Women are leaving their mark throughout Australia and contributing to the positive future of small business in many sectors and industries. The creation of this program aims to provide the opportunity for all women with rich experiences from different professions to be awarded the recognition they deserve on a national level.

Our vision is to celebrate and inspire the innovative, confident, balanced, and dynamic side of each woman, leading towards excellence and success in their chosen field.

We would like to express our gratitude to our partners and supporters. We trust that this year's awards program will continue to cement its presence as an important institution honouring Australian women in small business and their achievements for years to come.

Best of luck throughout 2023 and for all your future endeavours!

Our Sponsors

(Select a partner below to view details)

Overview

About the Awards

Entries may only be completed online.

The Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards is a prestigious and comprehensive program that supports and recognises small businesses owned by women across Australia.

Offering a unique opportunity to highlight Australia's most outstanding small businesses, the awards seek to recognise the hard work that women business owners contribute to the local community in generating employment for millions of Australians, as well as their commitment to the Australian economy.

The awards are set to become the pinnacle of business success. They recognise the values associated with successful women who own and manage successful small businesses.

Background

The Australian Small Business Champion Awards originated in 1999 to recognise the achievements of outstanding small businesses from all states and territories across Australia.

Developed and managed by Precedent Productions, a small business in its own right, with 38 years' experience in managing successful awards programs, the Australian Small Business Champions Awards have grown into the flagship program recognising small business excellence throughout Australia.

In 2022, the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards was launched to acknowledge the women who are contributing, influencing, and leading their sectors and industries. As we look to the future, we envision 2023 to be even stronger, more vibrant, and innovative as Australia celebrates the exceptional women that make it so.

Important Dates
Entries Open	03-03-2023
Entries Close	21-07-2023
Finalists announced on website	16-08-2023
Presentation Dinner ticket RSVP	16-08-2023
National Presentation Evening	23-09-2023
Winners announced on website	24-09-2023

How it works

How it Works

Eligible small businesses owned by women from around Australia are required to complete and submit an Awards Entry, consisting of a series of questions which evaluate their standards of excellence and overall success.

Award Entries may only be completed online.

Entries must be completed in accordance with the terms and conditions and submitted by the closing date to be considered as an award entrant.

Following the close of entries, finalists will be selected based on the content provided in the awards criteria questions, and notified of their success via mail. All entrants do not automatically become finalists.

National finalists will compete with businesses in their category across Australia and the winners being named at the gala presentation evening.

Categories for individuals will be judged separately with the winner's selection based on the business criteria questions and the individual criteria questions.

Eligibility

The nominated business must be based in Australia and have a woman as a sole owner or at least 50% ownership and be the main business decision maker.

The awards are open to retail, service and manufacturing industries. To be eligible to enter, the business must be a:

Retail or Service Business with 40 employees or less*

Manufacturing Business with 100 employees or less*

** Eligibility is based on the number of equivalent full-time positions within the business. (80 staff who work half a week each, is equal to 40 full time positions).

Judging

The judges are representatives from a variety of industries who have relevant experience or an understanding of the operations of a small business.

Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.

Judging is assessed on: the responses to the Awards Criteria questions located within the online entry form and additional supporting documentation that may be attached as a PDF as part of your entry.

The outcome of each business' assessment will determine the Australian Women's Small Business Champion winners.

Businesses are judged only within one award category. If an entrant selects more than one category, judges have the right to determine the most applicable category without notification or consultation.

Judges reserve the right to transfer a business into another category if they believe an entrant would be more appropriately assessed in that category.

Women Entrepreneur Judging

Two Entrepreneur categories will be presented:

Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (Aged over 30 years)
Young Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (Aged 30 years and under)

The Awards Criteria AND Entrepreneur Awards Criteria must be completed for judges to be able to assess each application.

Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.

Judges will be looking at each applicant's approach to the business, together with their individual achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges.

The outcome of each entrepreneur assessment will determine the national category winners.

Australian Small Business Champion Influential Woman Judging

The Awards Criteria AND Champion Influential Woman Criteria must be completed for judges to be able to assess each application.

Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.

Judges will be looking at each applicant's approach to show initiative and willingness to undertake business development and the courage to always persevere. As a result of their positive actions, they have a big impact on their team, business decisions, industry and gain respect as an influential businesswoman.

Australian Small Business Champion Woman Icon Judging

The Awards Criteria AND Champion Woman Icon Criteria must be completed for judges to be able to assess each application.

Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.

The judges may move the entry into the Champion Influential Woman category.

The judges will be looking for pioneers with innovative thinking in business that have transformed or made significant developments to the business and their respective sector. It will honour inspiring innovators and visionaries and is open to women business leaders who have achieved accomplishments of significance over their career.

Terms & Conditions

To be eligible to enter the awards, your business must first comply with either of the following: Retail or Service business with 40 employees or less - Manufacturing business with 100 employees or less.
The nominated business must have a woman as an owner or at least 50% ownership.
Eligibility is based on the number of equivalent full-time positions within the business. (80 staff who work half a week each, is equal to 40 full time positions).
Businesses may enter in only one award category and the optional Entrepreneur. Each business may only enter one Entrepreneur category.
Businesses may enter a woman in either Champion Influential Woman or Champion Woman Icon categories.
Businesses in the New Business category must be in operation for less than 2 years.
If an entrant selects more than one category judges have the right to determine the most applicable category without notification or consultation.
Entries may be transferred to another category if the judges believe an entrant would be more appropriately assessed in that category.
Judges have the right to either create additional categories or delete categories, depending on entries received.
An independent judging panel from a variety of industries will judge all entries.
Judges have the right to either accept or decline entries as finalists and this will be determined by an initial grading of entries based on the responses of the criteria questions.
All judges score sheets and notes will be destroyed on the determination of finalists and winners. Judges' comments are confidential and will not be disclosed.
The decision of the judging panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Businesses must operate in Australia and hold a current ABN number.
Entries are catalogued and are treated in confidence.
Information provided by the business may be used for promotional purposes. Information that is confidential must be clearly marked.
In the situation of a change in business name, every effort will be made to accommodate, however, there will be no guarantees due to the program's requirements.
Precedent Productions and Award Partners have access to the entire finalist database and may use this at their discretion.
Entries must be provided via the online entry form.
Entries will not be accepted via email or mail.
Once entries have been received, information cannot be changed or added.
Precedent Productions and the partners of the awards accept no liability regarding any loss of patent rights or commercial returns arising from participating in the Australian Small Business Women's Champion Awards.
The Young Entrepreneur must be 30 years of age and under to be eligible.
Entry is free.
Precedent Productions takes no responsibility for the publishing of information in media outlets and websites.

Categories

Listed below are examples to assist in selecting a category that best represents your business.

Accounting Services	Accounting firms, bookkeepers, taxation agents
Agricultural Services	Farmers, packaging of primary products, support services, farming equipment
Alternative Therapy	Any medical treatments that are not traditional medicine techniques.
Automotive Services	Mechanics, service centres, panel beaters, petrol stations, tyre fitters, car sales, car detailing, auto electrical, automotive accessories
Bakery/Cake Business	Cake shops, patisseries, bakeries, celebration cakes, home speciality, wholesale and retail
Beauty Services	Beauty salon, day spa, laser/cosmetic, spray tans, injectables
Brows and Lashes	Eyebrow and eyelash services
Business Services	Business to business services, sign writers, printers, publishing, office fitouts
Café	Café, coffee shop, coffee bar, casual dining
Children's Services	Children's entertainment, children's health and sporting
Cleaning Services	Cleaning companies residential and commercial
Community Service Small Business	A business with a core focus of providing services specifically for the benefit of the community.
Dental Services	Dentists, orthodontists, cosmetic dentistry
Disability Support Services	Providers of services and support for people living with disability.
Early Childhood Services	Daycare, long daycare
Educational Services	Tutoring, life coaching, industry training, first aid training, trade education, driving schools, swim schools
Environmental Business	Any business with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Event Services	Businesses that plan and organise promotional business and social events.
Fashion	Men's fashion, women's fashion, children's fashion, formal wear, dress hire, boutiques, stylists
Fast Food/Takeaway Shop	Hamburger shops, fish & chips, takeaway franchises, sandwich shops, kebab shops, pizza takeaway
Financial Services	Mortgage broker, lending services
Fitness Services	Personal trainers, outdoor fitness, health and wellbeing, fitness coach/mentoring, gyms
Florist	Flower shops, flower deliveries, wholesale and retail
Fresh Food	Fruit & vegetable shops, seafood outlets, deli and gourmet food
Hairdressing	Hairdressers, stylists, hair bars, mobile hairdressers
Health Improvement Services	Massage therapists, occupational therapy, accupuncture and alternative therapy
Home & Garden Improvement	Gardeners, furniture shops, furniture design
Home Builder / Renovations	Builder, granny flats, building renovations / additions
Information Technology	Communications, software development
Jewellery	Jewellers, diamond traders, jewellery design
Legal Services	Lawyers, intellectual property, solicitors and barristers, legal services
Make-up Artist	Make-up studio, mobile make-up artist
Manufacturing	Raw materials are transformed into finished goods - including food, beauty, building products and accessories.
Marketing Services	Marketing, public relations, branding, graphic design, advertising services, direct mail, corporate video production
Nail Artist	Nail salon, mobile nail artists
New Business	Businesses in the New Business category must be in operation for less than 2 years at the time of Awards entries closing date.
Not for Profit Small Business	A business that does not operate for profit, personal gain or other benefits of particular groups.
Online Business	Businesses that have no shopfront and sell products in an online capacity.
Performing Arts	Dance studios, music schools, acting schools, drama academies
Pet Services	Animal training, pet accessories, pet cremation
Pharmacy	Chemist shops, compounding chemists
Physiotherapy	Experts in the human body and movement including sports injuries.
Professional Medical Services	Qualified professionals conducting services directly related to the profession of the practice of medicine.
Professional Services	Architects, ISO certification, research, SEO, web design
Real Estate	Real estate agents, buyers agents, commercial agents
Recruitment Services	Recruitment agencies, work placement
Restaurant	Fine dining and family restaurants
Services	Excavation, sanitation, home services, pool services
Social Enterprise Business	Any business that applies strategies to maximise improvements in financial, social and environmental wellbeing.
Sole Operator	Any business that is owned and operated by a single individual and do not have staff.
Specialised Retail Small Business	Any retail business that operates as a shop front offering products.
Specialised Small Business	Any business that specialises in industry services.
Tourism	Hotels, accommodation, tour operators, bed and breakfast, souvenir shops
Trade Services	Tilers, renderers, carpenters, cabinet makers, waterproofing, surveyors, arborists
Transport and Logistics	Transport companies, warehousing and distribution, shipping management, freight forwarding
Wedding Services	Bridal wear, dress design, wedding planners, wedding mc, venues, wedding car hire
Women's Organisation	Organisations that develop, connect and deliver support and advice to women. Networking organisations, associations.

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES (OPTIONAL)

Young Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (aged 30 years and under)	Award for an individual's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges
Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (aged over 30 years)	Award for an individual's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges
Australian Small Business Champion Influential Woman	Award for an individual's ability to show initiative and willingness to undertake business development and the courage to always persevere.
Australian Small Business Champion Woman Icon	Award for a pioneer with innovative thinking in business, that has transformed or made significant developments to the business and their respective sector.

Welcome Message

Brenda Robinson

2022 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION ENTREPRENEUR

Estelle Cornell

2022 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION WOMAN ICON

Kate Toon

2022 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION INFLUENTIAL WOMAN

Steve Loe

AWARDS FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRECEDENT PRODUCTIONS

Our Sponsors

(Select a partner below to view details)

Overview

About the Awards

Background

How it works

How it Works

Eligibility

Judging

Judging

Women Entrepreneur Judging

Australian Small Business Champion Influential Woman Judging

Australian Small Business Champion Woman Icon Judging

Terms & Conditions

Categories

Listed below are examples to assist in selecting a category that best represents your business.

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES (OPTIONAL)

Business Champions Entry Form

Entries are closed

Register your interest for the 2024 Australian Women's Small Business Champions Awards!

Australian Small Business Champions Awards

Register your interest for the 2021 Australian Small Business Champions Awards!