Hard work shines at business womens’ awards | PHOTOS

But this is exactly how April Armstrong, who was a category winner at the 2015 Telstra Business Women’s Awards Friday night, started on the road to business success.

Dr Armstrong was one of two Mandurah business women who took the stage at the awards ceremony, where they were recognised for their corporate skills.

Dr Armstrong, who owns Mandurah Obstetrics, won the category for women owning start-up businesses that had been operating for less than three years.

She said she didn’t have the easiest road to her achievement, but the GP-obstetrician credits determination and her ability to bring people with her on her journey.

“I left home at 15 and found myself pregnant at 17 to my boyfriend at the time,” she said.

“I left school, got a job doing data entry and wound up working at everything from debt collection to being a private investigator.

“At 30, I had three kids, was a single parent, went back to school to do year eleven and twelve and won a scholarship to study medicine.”

Although it was difficult studying with children, Dr Armstrong said her success was all about hard work.

“I’m not brainy, just hard working,” she said.

Her career as an entrepreneur began when she was a trainee doctor and decided to buy the practice that was training her.

“I was the first GP registrar in Australia to own my own practice,” she said.

“I work seven days a week and two nights as well.”

Dr Armstrong is still dreaming big, with plans to expand the services her business offers in Mandurah.

“My big dream is to offer women in the region a low-risk home and water birthing option,” she said.

Julie Murray, Mandurah Taxis chief, was a finalist for the Telstra Business Womens’ Award.

Entering the awards with the aim of telling a positive story about the taxi industry, Ms Murray said to have made it through as a finalist was a fantastic privilege.

“I wanted to tell people what taxis really do, not just on Friday and Saturday nights, but 24 hours a day, seven nights a week,” she said.

“I come from a nursing background, so I’m a people person; I like looking after people and that’s what our industry is about.

Ms Murray said she had worked hard to change the culture of Mandurah Taxis.

“We’ve made it a friendly helpful supportive company,” she said.

“We look after our drivers and our staff so they look after the customers.

“It’s fun; we’re not seen as a glamour industry, but we never have a dull moment, and we’re always having a great laugh.”

Nominees were judged on factors such as a compelling vision that shapes what they do, overcoming adversity with determination and creative problem solving, championing the skills of relationship building and negotiation in business, mentoring others to succeed, and challenging the concept that there is only one way of doing things.

For more information go to telstrabusinesswomensawards.com