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                                                                              How is life as a business coach?

Being a business couch or strategist is incredibly fulfilling. I get to witness transformations not just in businesses, but in people. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to help entrepreneurs unlock their potential. It’s gratifying to see my clients break through barriers they once thought were insurmountable.

What gives you job satisfaction?

Truly, seeing my clients achieve what they initially thought impossible.

Whether it’s helping a woman-led business scale up or witnessing one of our female trainees at Car Mechanical Services master a new skill, these breakthrough moments are priceless. Achieving our 40 per cent female trainee rate in our auto repair centre is a testament to what’s possible when you commit to change.

Women in business – and your encouraging role for other women?

As a business strategist and automotive industry leader, I’ve made it my mission to create pathways for women in traditionally male-dominated spaces.  I help women recognise their potential and unapologetically claim their seats at the table. It’s about building confidence, providing practical strategies, and creating supportive networks.

What holds women back?

Often, it’s a combination of systemic barriers and internalised limitations. I’ve seen brilliant women hesitate to take leadership roles or doubt their expertise despite clear evidence of their capabilities.

Women often face a paradox. It’s known as the ‘Double Bind Dilemma’. If women are assertive and confident, they’re labelled ‘bossy’ or ‘aggressive,’ but if they’re soft-spoken, they’re dismissed as ‘weak’ or ‘indecisive.’ This dynamic is one of the most damaging barriers to female leadership in business. So in helping businesswomen, I am focus on both practical business strategies and personal empowerment.

Examples?

I recently worked with a female entrepreneur who was hesitant to scale her business despite strong performance. Through coaching, she realised her ‘imposter syndrome’ was holding her back. Today, she has successfully expanded into three new markets.

Is it hard to generate confidence in others?

It’s not so much about generating confidence, but more about helping people uncover the confidence they already have.

I help individuals recognise their achievements and capabilities through structured coaching and mentorship.

Success isn’t built on participation trophies. Success is forged through genuine achievement and meaningful growth.

As a business coach and industry leader, I’ve learned that true empowerment comes from creating environments where people can explore their talents, face real challenges, and achieve authentic victories. When discussing creating safe spaces, we’re not debating sheltering people from failure or competition. We’re talking about creating environments where people feel secure enough to take risks, push their boundaries, and sometimes fail and learn from those failures.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the resilience and determination I see in the business leaders I work with. Whenever I see a woman breakthrough in a male-dominated industry or a small business owner overcome significant challenges, it reinforces my belief in the power of focused coaching and mentorship.

Favorite quote?

‘Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.’ This quote resonates deeply with my business coaching approach and commitment to creating inclusive workplaces.

Everything makes more sense with purpose.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go.

I think it’s a day that shouldn’t [purely be about celebration but also about action.

As a woman with an Italian background and who grew up in Milan during the late 80s, International Women’s Day holds a deep, multifaceted meaning to me. We celebrated ‘La Festa della Donna’ in Italy with mimosa flowers. Still, beyond the symbolic gestures, it was a powerful reminder of the women who fought for our rights and shaped our society.

Those early experiences in Milan shaped my understanding of women’s collective strength and the importance of recognition for social achievements and political and cultural contributions. I witnessed firsthand how women’s roles were evolving yet faced significant challenges.

As a business leader and coach in Australia, International Women’s Day takes on even greater significance today. While we’ve made progress, my work in the automotive industry and business coaching shows me daily that there’s still so much work to be done.  I see progress and potential – a reminder that change is possible but requires consistent, deliberate action.

This day ought to spotlight commitment. Commitment to breaking down persistent barriers, challenging outdated systems, and creating opportunities for women in all sectors.

International Women’s Day reminds us that while honouring our past achievements, we must focus on the work ahead. It’s about creating lasting change, not just for today’s women leaders, but for all generations.”

Last book read?

My recent reading of Sheryl Sandberg’s ‘Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead’ resonated deeply with my experiences in the automotive industry and coaching women leaders.

Movie to see again and again

Ahh, The Godfather, of course! While I certainly don’t endorse its darker themes, the film’s exploration of family bonds, leadership, and tradition profoundly resonates with my roots.

What other profession would you choose in a parallel universe?

If not a business coach and industry leader, I’d likely be involved in education. Teaching and empowering others has always been at the core of what I do.