International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as an essential occasion to recognize the accomplishments and obstacles faced by women while exploring their significant role in shaping the future.
Historically, women have forged new paths and challenged societal norms in their pursuit of equality. This pursuit continues today as advocates push for increased female representation in leadership roles within the business sector.
In celebration of IWD on Saturday, March 8th, we shine a light on remarkable entrepreneurs in Victoria who are making a substantial impact in the business world, paving the way for meaningful change and inspiring future leaders.
NLA Trucking – Nicole Appleton
I aimed to establish a business that empowers women while providing job opportunities and training for Indigenous people in the industry. I wanted to break stereotypes and demonstrate that women, particularly Indigenous women, can excel in any sector they choose.
Nicole Appleton’s dedication and hard work led her from a solo trucking venture to the founding of NLA Trucking, the only Aboriginal female-owned plant hire business in Victoria, propelling her success forward.
Having grown up witnessing the challenges within her community, especially regarding career prospects, Nicole was motivated by a lack of representation in the transport and logistics sectors to carve a path for herself and others.
‘Expanding the business has been a journey of challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers, proving that women, especially Indigenous women, can thrive in male-dominated fields,’ she shared.
With roots in the trucking industry since 2016, Nicole takes pride in her meaningful contributions and her role in shaping the future for generations to come.
‘I envisioned a space where our voices are amplified, where we have a seat at the table, and where we can drive significant change. Witnessing my business create jobs and provide training has been incredibly fulfilling. It represents lasting change for both the industry and my community.’
Nicole has developed her career with skill and confidence, supported by a strong network. NLA Trucking currently boasts over 15 distinctive pink-logoed trucks that symbolize her success. She takes great pride in seeing Indigenous employees thrive and more women entering the field.
Looking ahead, Nicole envisions increased female leadership in sectors like transport, using NLA Trucking as a model for overcoming barriers. She believes that mentorship and training initiatives can equip women with the necessary skills and confidence to navigate the industry effectively.
For women contemplating starting a business, Nicole offers valuable advice: ‘Stay confident, trust your instincts, and don’t let self-doubt hold you back. The journey will present challenges, but resilience and a robust support network will help you grow. Learn from your missteps and remain true to your vision and principles.’
Afro Aussie Women in Business – Patience Rabai
I firmly believe that empowering women strengthens communities. Women in business have the ability to change lives, uplift families, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. I wanted to be an integral part of this transformation.
Patience Rabai, the founder of Afro Aussie Women in Business (AAWIB), is fueled by her mission to assist women in voicing their aspirations and achieving their business objectives. Her passion stems from her experience in building a business from the ground up while overcoming self-doubt and a lack of support.
As she sought knowledge and connections within the business realm, Patience realized the lack of representation of African women at networking events and workshops. Determined to understand the barriers faced by talented African Australian women entrepreneurs, she engaged her community, recognizing that existing systems were not designed with their interests in mind.
‘If we waited to be invited, we’d always be underrepresented. We needed to develop our own platform, a space for African Australian women to connect, learn, and flourish together,’ she noted.
The path to establishing AAWIB was fraught with challenges, including being underestimated while trying to break into established, often male-dominated, business networks. Now, having built her credibility and relationships, Patience utilizes her experiences to advocate for change and assist others.
‘Each time I observe a woman transition from self-doubt to confidently managing her business, I recognize the impact of this work. That’s what motivates me,’ she expressed.
Her greatest fulfillment comes from knowing that AAWIB is creating a network of success stories, one woman and one business at a time. Patience takes pride in the increasing visibility of African Australian women in business.
‘The most significant impact is in altering the narrative—African Australian women in business are no longer invisible. We are leaders, innovators, and agents of change.’
Looking ahead, Patience envisions a future with more women in leadership roles, thriving women-led businesses, and enhanced access to funding opportunities. She aspires to expand AAWIB’s influence nationally and internationally, ensuring that no African woman in business feels isolated.
‘I want women to stop playing small—I encourage them to take larger risks, scale their enterprises, and claim their space at decision-making tables. I’m excited to contribute to the movement that will shape the next generation of women entrepreneurs!’
Ovum – Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks
Realizing the need for a solution that empowered women through health literacy, allowing them greater control over their health and assisting doctors in making timely diagnoses, I set out to create something impactful.
Introducing Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks, a pioneering Australian doctor reshaping women’s health in the MedTech landscape. As the founder and CEO of Ovum, an AI-powered personal health assistant app, she is making significant strides.
Ovum is backed by LaunchVic’s Alice Anderson Fund, recently securing $1.7 million in seed funding to tackle gaps in women’s healthcare.
Through her experiences as a medical student across various Australian hospitals, Dr. Heffernan-Marks witnessed the systemic neglect of women, leading to a lack of trust in the healthcare system. With expertise in reproductive biology, she understood the dire consequences of fragmented healthcare systems, often resulting in extended diagnostic delays—sometimes spanning five years for general conditions.
‘After decades of being overlooked and misdiagnosed, countless women turned to unreliable internet sources for answers, which unfortunately resulted in decreased health literacy and a rise in chronic conditions,’ she stated.
Recognizing the urgent need for change, she envisioned a tool designed to enhance health outcomes for women and close the gender health gap, a void that costs the global economy $1 trillion each year. The advent of AI enabled her to create Ovum, a platform that caters to women’s unique health needs.
‘Ovum’s AI encapsulates the unique health journeys of women, allowing users to consolidate health reports, medications, appointments, cycle tracking, and biometric data from wearables—all in one convenient location.’
Dr. Heffernan-Marks aspires to revolutionize women’s healthcare globally. Ovum is on a path to develop the first women-specific AI long-term dataset, driving research aimed at enhancing treatment and diagnostics. With AI rapidly evolving, she foresees unimaginable possibilities for supporting women’s health in the future.
While still underrepresented, the landscape for women in health tech is changing. Dr. Heffernan-Marks encourages innovators to pursue their ideas regardless of challenges they may face.
In a landscape where only 2% of capital in Australia supports women-led ventures, Ovum’s projected success in 2025 stands as a bold leap towards recognizing women’s innovation.
‘If you identify a problem and believe you have a creative solution, pursue it—you never know where it may lead you. I had my idea while driving to medical school, and look at where it has taken me,’ she concluded.
To empower your entrepreneurial journey, be sure to utilize the valuable resources available through Business Victoria. Visit the Learning & Advice page for more information.
