IB Woman
Issue No. 18 - August/September 2004
The Six Decades of Separation
by Penelope Herbert
I meet a myriad talented and dynamic women in business. Their backgrounds, challenges and strategies intrigue me so I started thinking about the potential differences between businesswomen of varied ages. It occurred to me that a woman in her 20s now would have a very different business experience from a woman in her 70s – and all the ages in between. So I decided to put my theory to the test.
As randomly as my database would allow, I asked many women to nominate South Australian peers or colleagues who might fit in to one or more of the age categories. I was thrilled with the response. Nearly 75 women were nominated with the majority being in their 30s and 40s, many in their 20s and 50s but very few in the 60-70 age bracket.
Again as randomly as possible, I approached six women from those nominated to represent each decade. All agreed, and so began the process of sifting through the challenges and experiences of six very different women. I was surprised to find more parallels than differences among these women.
Kelly Taylor, 20s: Kelly Taylor is a freelance photographer with her own business, Elska Studios, which she started four years ago when she was just 20 years old. In honour of her heritage, Kelly named the business ‘Elska’ being the Danish word for union and love. Kelly now employs eight stylists and photographers making Elska Studios a comprehensive photographic agency that also offers make-up artistry and hair styling.
Kate Pavlovs, 30s: Deadline Media says everything about the business Kate Pavlovs started eight years ago when she was 22. Kate saw a niche for a business that created efficient communication tools using the web, e-mail and printed materials in order to connect clients to their customers and suppliers. It is a source of great pride to Kate that Deadline Media now employs four staff in addition to her and her partner.
Priscilla Thomas, 40s: Not content to run one business, Prisc...
