“Believing in yourself” is the basis of a web-based business set up by Gunnedah woman Glenise Anderson who has just returned from New York, where she received a bronze in the prestigious international Stevie Awards.
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Accompanied by Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce secretary, Ann Luke, Glenise knew her business Self Confident Women was a finalist but receiving a bronze award was “the icing on the cake”.
The awards ceremony was held at the Marriott Hotel on November 13 and although Glenise was not the only Australian at the ceremony, she was the first on stage to receive her award.
“My section was listed as number 85 from 90 and I did not expect to be on stage so soon,” Glenise said.
“It was, however, an honour to be the first recipient.”
Now in its 12th year, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, aim to promote and celebrate female leaders, entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Glenise said she was thrilled that Self Confident Women’s website had been placed among some very strong and well-known businesses and entrepreneurs.
She came up with the idea for a web-based business because she was constantly moving around with her husband’s employment.
“I thank Katie from Absolute Assistance for tirelessly working with me to create this beautiful and effective website through which I’m able to make a real difference to so many women’s lives,” she said.
“I have always believed that a lack of self confidence stops many women powering ahead to fulfil their full potential and dreams.”
Realising there was a gap in the market for a business that helped women get back their self confidence, she launched Self Confident Women in 2010.
To date, she has helped women of all ages – from stay-at-home mums, to professional women and teenage girls – to be more confident, increase what she calls “soft and hard skills” and take charge of their lives.
“Industry doesn’t train soft skills like confidence and communication and it can really affect people’s careers,” she said.
“I love seeing my clients experience their ‘aha’ moment as I take them through my workshops and sessions – this feeling confirms my belief that I’m in the right place at the right time helping these women be the very best version of themselves.
“It is important for women who have been out of the workforce or who have been impacted by domestic violence to regain their self confidence and build on the skills they already have,” she said.
Glenise also works with Brisbane-based charity, Dress for Success, a global not-for-profit organisation offering services designed to help disadvantaged women find jobs and remain employed.
“I am also partnering with a number of organisations to offer free programs for 12 months to women who have been impacted by domestic violence,” Glenise said.
With more than 1400 entries across 90 categories in the Stevie Awards, Ann Luke said she was impressed by the large Australian contingent.
“Although most were from the USA and Canada, many other countries were represented from Europe and Asia – it was a fantastic experience and a great focus for a short holiday,” she said.
“Most Gunnedah businesses have a local customer base, but we also have many quiet achievers who conduct business on a regional, state, national and international level, as is the case for Self Confident Women.
“The Chamber of Commerce is a great Gunnedah organisation which provides excellent networking opportunities – I met Glenise through one of the chamber’s networking events and the friendship has grown from there.”
