Misschu’s Nahji Chu and Suntrix’s Jenny Paradiso are two of the female entrepreneurs up for the 2014 Australian EY Entrepreneur of the Year award.
They join 13 other women in the short-list of 84 entrepreneurs announced today, including four who’ve been specifically named as “Social Entrepreneurs” in their state or territory: Madge McGuire, Margo Ward, Jean Madden and Vicki Davy.
The EY awards is a global program, with regional winners invited to participate at the national awards in November and the national winner to represent Australia at the 2015 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year awards in Monte Carlo.
Paradiso is the managing director of the South Australian solar energy solutions provider Suntrix. She’s a qualified librarian who ventured into the world of solar power after finding herself frustrated with existing providers in 2008.
Chu operates a number of iconic Sydney restaurants under the ‘Misschu’ brand, having arrived in Australia as a refugee and turning her passion for food into a multi-million dollar business.
SHOWPO’s Jane Lu has also been named a finalist. The owner of the online fashion retail business for women has 700,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook and generates revenue growth of more than 150% year on year.
The full list of 15 women involved include:
- Jenny Paradiso – Suntrix
- Nahji Chu – Misschu
- Christine Garforth – Animal Supplies (Wholesale)
- Jane Lu – SHOWPO
- Brooke Taylor – Injury Treatment – Occupational Injury Management
- Dr Catriona Wallace – Fifth Quadrant Group and Flamingo
- Maxine Horne – Vita Group
- Sharon Kais – Kais Contractors
- Michelle Rhodes – 360 Environmental Pty Ltd
- Sarah Thomas – Lawley’s Bakery Café
- Social entrepreneur – Madge McGuire – Catherine House Inc.
- Social entrepreneur – Margo Ward – KidsXpress
- Social entrepreneur – Jean Madden – Street Swags
- Social entrepreneur – Vickie Davy (and John Bishop) – PetRescue
- Champion of Entrepreneurship – Lesley Gillespie OAM (and Roger Gillespie OAM) – Bakers Delight