The Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN) recognised the achievements of 17 female entrepreneurs at its 2014 Hall of Fame.

Each year, the ABN Hall of Fame honours and celebrates Australian female business owners who have been exemplary in their industries, are trailblazers and demonstrate inspiring and aspiring business journeys.

This year, the ABN Hall of Fame recognised women entrepreneurs from industries as diverse as food, finance, motorbikes and education.

ABN CEO Suzi Dafnis explains that the ABN Hall of Fame recognises the notable achievements of Australia’s standout female business owners. This year’s winners were chosen because of their remarkable success and for being excellent role models to other aspiring female business owners.

According to Ms Dafnis, Australian Bureau of Statistics research reveals that of the two million people in Australia who own or operate a business, 33 per cent are women aged between 35 and 44. But the numbers don’t reflect their impact on the country’s wealth and there is very little public recognition of their success.

Running since 1998, the ABN Hall of Fame program ensures these successful women are given a platform and honoured for their contribution to the economy and the business community.

The inductees of the 2014 ABN Hall of Fame are not all high profile businesswomen. Many are emerging entrepreneurs of small businesses or champions of the community sector. Ms Dafnis adds that the ABN Hall of Fame aims to celebrate successful female business owners through sharing their stories, to inspire and empower other female entrepreneurs.

The 2014 ABN Hall of Fame inductees include: Maggie Beer, Maggie Beer Products; Liz Davenport, Liz Davenport; Dr Catriona Wallace, Fifth Quadrant; Kristina Karlsson, kikki.K; Tammy May, MyBudget; Barbara Etter, BEtter Consulting; Lisa McGuigan, Lisa McGuigan Wines; Saskia Havekes, Grandiflora; Chandra Clements, One Legacy; Helen Summers, Helen Summers Optometrist; Eve Mahlab, Australian Women Donors Network; Carol Schwartz, Trawalla Foundation; Sam Sheppard, The Buildmore Group; Viv White, Big Picture Education; Sonja Cameron, Cameron’s Nursery; Robbie Sefton, Sefton & Associates; and Christine Kris Macauley of Robbo’s Motorcycles.

The 2014 inductees join over 150 women previously recognised by ABN as outstanding female business leaders.