Savvy mums win business accolades

A TRIO of successful local mums has been recognised for business excellence at the prestigious AusMumpreneur Annual Awards.

Marshall businesswoman, Justine Martin, took out five awards including gold for Coach of the Year in recognition of her professional work in resilience through her businesses JUZT art and Justine Martin Consultant & Speaker.

The mum-of-two and grandmother to six also won silver medals in the Creative Entrepreneur and Disabled Business Excellence categories, as well as bronze for both Business Pivot and Overcoming the Odds.

Justine’s business success is testament to her own resilience, having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 10 years ago, undergoing three heart surgeries and being diagnosed with three primary cancers.

Specialists and doctors told her she would be unable to work again but she has proven them wrong, going on to be an award-winning artist and running three businesses.

She is also a published author and is about to launch The Resilience Mindset Podcast.

Justine described being acknowledged nationally as Coach of the Year as a pinnacle moment in her life.

“It’s been so overwhelming winning the Gold Award for Coach of the Year – not only achieving one of my greatest dreams but how important it is to keep believing in yourself and in building your own resilience to keep forging ahead,” she said.

“Only 10 years ago I was told I would never work again but I would not accept that! I had goals, dreams and a vision on what I wanted my life to be.

“Through all the ups and downs I have never lost sight.

“Resilience has really become my middle-name, and the story of why I am now called the ‘Resilience Queen’.”

Armstrong Creek GP and mum-of-two Saba Qutub, who is the founder of Armstrong Health and DRSQ Skincare, took out gold in both the Multicultural Business Excellence and Health Business categories.

The business savvy doctor said she was honoured and elated to win in her categories in the 2021 AusMumpreneur Awards against such a talented group of women.

“To be recognised for my achievements is incredibly humbling because I simply started just to gain control over my career to spend more time with my family, so to get to this point is surreal,” she said.

“The word mumpreneur says it all. I love being both a mum and an entrepreneur, and I couldn’t see my life without either one of them.

“My children and business make me who I am, and I wholeheartedly believe that it’s important for mums to know that it is okay to want both!”

Torquay artist Katharine Rattray from Kat’s ART Club and Kat & Fox took out silver in the WBS category.

The mum-of-three is an accomplished children’s book illustrator who launched Kat’s ART Club during the pandemic when her work as an illustrator slowed down.

The club is an online illustration hub for kids aged 6-11 years where they can learn a range of skills during fortnightly online sessions, as well as interacting with other budding illustrators.

AusMumpreneur co-founder Peace Mitchell said the awards recognised the growing number of mums achieving outstanding business success while balancing motherhood.

“I was blown away by the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and professionalism of the award winners and I know that they will provide great inspiration for other mums considering starting their own business,” she said.