MEDIA RELEASE – 11 August 2009
Laurie McDonald was crowned Business Woman of the Year last night by the ACT Chamber of Women in Business. The Award is presented to the businesswoman who demonstrates leadership, a pursuit of excellence and is a role model for other business women, proven by implementing new initiatives in the workplace, providing employment opportunities and being visionary.
“I am succeeding in business by incorporating my values and not compromising my integrity. I encourage other businesswomen to be confident in treading their own path, their own way,” she said.
“Winning the award is something I am very proud of as it’s one of the highest accolades for Canberra women in business. I have stayed true to my beliefs in my business practice – that nothing is impossible and excellence is achievable,” said Mrs McDonald of Canberra Furnished Accommodation.
When accepting the award, at the 3rd Annual Dinner and Awards held at the Federal Golf Club, Mrs McDonald said “I encourage other people in business to apply for Awards. It gives you an opportunity to assess the way you do business, to make sure you are ‘walking your talk’ “.
Mrs McDonald established Canberra Furnished Accommodation in August 2003 with just one residential property and a credit card. The 34 year old now owns or manages 37 properties in Canberra’s inner-north and inner-south that are available for short or long term stays to corporate customers and holidaymakers.
“I have developed Canberra Furnished Accommodation into a company that provides quality and value for money while staying true to its motto of ‘your home away from home’. I can summarise my business philosophy into four words – quality, excellence, balance and passion,” she said.
Having two young children of her own, Mrs McDonald strived to create a flexible, family friendly workplace for her employees. She has established an employee care program and has created positions especially for women with school-aged children. Children are welcomed into the workplace and there are activities provided to help keep them occupied.
“I established the business to enable me to balance work and family, so a natural extension of this was to develop workplace initiatives that would also do this for my team,” said Mrs McDonald.
More information on Canberra Furnished Accommodation can be found at www.canberrafurnished.com.au