From thousands of entrants across the nation, several Hunter Region-based businesses have made the Finalists list of the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

The awards celebrate the growing number of Australia’s most inspiring and influential women in small business.

Now in its second consecutive year, the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards features more than 65 categories, judged by an independent panel of representatives who have relevant experience or an understanding of the operations of small business.

Among this year’s most competitive categories, Disability Support Services is proving one of the most challenging categories to judge, says Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, Steve Loe who coordinates the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

“The quantity and quality of entrants in the Disability Services category, in particular, is truly remarkable and so the ultimate selection of this year’s finalists has by no means been an easy feat,” Steve said.

“When the Champion Judges evaluate entries, they consider all aspects of a small business: its strategies, innovative initiatives, customer service, vision, growth, charitable and community support – to name but some of the judging criteria.

“We’re simply blown away by the incredibly high calibre of Australia’s female-led small businesses and – while it’s certainly a welcome challenge – the next round of judging is bound to be even more challenging, as we continue to nut-through the impressive finalists to reach one category winner.”

Hunter Region finalists include (but are not limited to):

• Advanced School of Beauty (Educational Services)
• The Better Clean Team (Trade Services).
• Brows by Willow (Beauty Services)
• The Family Law Co (Legal Services)
• Innerworks Business Solutions (Recruitment Services)
• The Marketing GP (Marketing Services)
• Palfreyman Chartered Accountants (Accounting Services)
• PLH Accountants (Accounting Services)
• Start My Cleaning Biz (Educational Services)
• Spectrum Comms (Marketing Services)
• Sunflower Services (Disability Support Services)

Managing Director of The Marketing GP, Holly Martin was proud to receive the nomination for her Carrington-based business.

“There are so many big-name companies nominated, including those from the Hunter and we’re delighted to be among them,” Holly said.

“It’s great recognition for our business and our team, particularly on a national scale and we wanted to wish a huge congratulations to all the other nominees.”

In addition to honouring business category winners, the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards also showcases the achievements of four individual category winners – Young Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (aged 30 and younger), Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (aged over 30), Australian Small Business Champion Influential Woman and Australian Small Business Champion Icon.

The 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards is sponsored by Nine Plus, CUB, NOVA Employment, Castaway Forecasting, Xcllusive Business Sales and Big Clean.

Winners of the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards will be announced on Saturday 23 September at National Presentation Evening Gala Event.