Katherine entrepreneur, Marie Piccone has been inducted into the Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame.
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Ms Piccone is considered one of Australia’s top female business trailblazers.
Ms Piccone is the managing director at Manbulloo, which is known for producing and exporting high-quality mangoes around the world.
Every year the Hall of Fame inductees are asked to share their business story and success secrets.
“Pay it forward: find yourself a great mentor, then be one to someone else,” Ms Piccone said.
“My mentors have provided amazing insights and experiences that have gifted me with great guidance and more knowledge.
“When times have been really tough, they have believed in me and the future of the business and have also given me very honest and relevant feedback when I've needed it most.
“I know that Manbulloo would not be in as strong a position if I had not had mentors. There are a few situations that I wonder whether Manbulloo would have survived without them,” she said.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day on March 8, the Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame recognises a prestigious collective of quiet achievers, high profile industry leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and champions of the community and NFP sectors.
“The collective influence that women entrepreneurs have on business in Australia has never been as cohesive and prominent as it is now,” said Suzi Dafnis, CEO of HerBusiness.
“The women inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame are incredibly inspiring with stories of determination and passion that have set them on paths to success, paths that often have quite a few big bumps along the way,” Ms Dafnis said.
The 18 entrepreneurs inducted this year stem from industries as diverse as health and beauty to agriculture and farming, construction and mining to fashion and homewares.
They include both established and emerging business owners and champions of the not-for-profit and burgeoning social enterprise sectors.
In 2005, Ms Piccone made the strategic decision to purchase three neglected mango plantations.
During the last decade she has rejuvenated the plantations, modernized harvesting practices, and innovated the packing houses.
Her advice to aspiring businesswomen is to be resilient and remember to take a break evey now and then.
“Take risks, be an innovator and always consider growth to be part of your strategy.
“However, it is so important to make sure that the risks are well-calculated and not reckless, and that the innovation and growth are carefully planned and measured.
“Share the vision and create a culture of passion, respect, and balance. Only be in the business because you love it.
“Dream it, make the dream real, and then make it happen,”
Ms Piccone was awarded with the Telstra Queensland Business Women’s Award in 2015.
Manbulloo was awarded the Hong Kong Australia Judges Recognition Business award in 2014, and the Coles Supplier of the Year award in 2015.
The 2017 Hall of Fame inductees
1. Adina Jacobs, STM Bags
2. Bronwen Healy, The Hope Foundation
3. Catherine Harris, Harris Farms
4. Emily McWaters, SOL Group (Gifts Australia)
5. Grace Chu, First Click Consulting
6. Jane Lu, ShowPo
7. Jodie Fox, Shoes of Prey
8. Kelly Baker-Jamieson, Edible Blooms
9. Kim Liddell, NDEA
10. Leanne Preston, Wild Child
11. Lisa Gorman, Gorman
12. Liz Courtney, Unboxed Media
13. Marie Piccone, Manbulloo
14. Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture
15. Miranda Sharp, Melbourne Farmers Markets
16. Roslyn Campbell, Tsuno
17. Teresa Cutter, The Healthy Chef
18. Samantha Wills, Samantha Wills