Where are they now? Reconnecting with Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni
Suzi Dafnis, Community Director, Australian Businesswomen's Network (and Founder, Pow Wow Events International)
Entrepreneur Of The Year, 2003 Eastern region finalist 
Suzi Dafnis co-founded Pow Wow Events, a multi-million dollar seminar company, which she sold in 2007. Named after the American Indian term for a gathering of people and an exchange of good ideas, the company produced hundreds of events, presented by top international authors and experts in sales, internet marketing, entrepreneurship, real estate and investing, and served over 250,000 Australians and New Zealanders. In 2000, they expanded to the USA.
Suzi also started a boutique publishing company with her partner, Peter Johnston. Over 10 years, the small publisher sold more than 1.2 million books, including the long-time bestseller, Rich Dad Poor Dad.
Today Suzi is owner and Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen's Network (ABN). The ABN harnesses the latest web and social technology to provide knowledge, inspiration and networking to help over 15,000 women grow their businesses and expand their careers. Thousands of women from all over Australia participate in web-based training, mentoring, virtual networking events, publications, and a business directory.
Suzi ranks as one of Australia’s top users of social media to engage community, to network and to do business and is often invited to speak on the subject in media and at conferences. She also continues to be an avid real estate investor.
What have been the significant changes in your business since your participation in Entrepreneur Of The Year?
Life looks very different today. At the time of my participation in the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards I was living in Phoenix, USA, running a business there as well as in Australia. In 2007, I sold my business, Pow Wow Events, after 13 years and moved back to Australia.
Have you started any new ventures/businesses since your participation in Entrepreneur Of The Year?
After selling Pow Wow Events I decided to dedicate my time and energy to growing the Australian Businesswomen's Network (ABN). The ABN, which I’ve been involved with since 1995 and purchased in 1998, is my full time focus today.
The ABN is an online membership community designed to teach women the skills to start, manage and grow their business. The ABN harnesses the latest web and social technology to provide knowledge, inspiration and networking to help women grow their businesses and expand their careers. Thousands of women from all over Australia participate in web-based training, mentoring, virtual networking events, podcasts, videos, publications, and a business directory.
What are your plans for your business in the next 5 years?
I have combined two passions in business - education and technology. I’ve always been big on internet marketing and the use of technology in business. Ultimately my passion is education. The advent of social media has changed everything. Over the coming years we’ll continue to break new ground in the use of social technologies as real business tools, and teach others to use these same methods to grow their business.
How have the challenges facing entrepreneurs changed in the last 10 years? Do you think entrepreneurs today are different to 10 years ago?
I like to say that if “I Google your name and I don’t find you, you don’t exist”. What I mean by that is “get online, now!” and “use the power of the internet to its fullest”.
Unfortunately, Australia still trails behind much of the developed world in its use of the internet for business. Even the big players here (e.g. large retailers) don’t get the power of the tool – many of them offer lousy online experiences, if any online experience at all.
Today, if you are not harnessing social technologies, cloud technology and the exciting new media that is available (no matter WHAT business you are in), then you will fall behind.
Today’s savvy entrepreneurs understand this.
If you had a motto what would it be?
Integrity is the essence of everything. This is a quote from R. Buckminster Fuller. To me it means - be true to your word. Do as you say you are going to do.
Many of us aren’t good at keeping our word to ourselves, to doing what it takes to achieve what we want.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?
There are two things, strangely enough both from the same person - Robert Kiyosaki, the author of international bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad.
- Invest – which my partner and I have done since 1997. When you make good money in business, it’s easy to think times will always be good. Buying real estate with business profits has been my best business decision.
- Hire slow and fire fast. My team is my biggest business asset. My worse hires have been ones that I’ve rushed. I’ve also been guilty many times of keeping people who were better off somewhere else because I didn’t want to be the “bad guy” and let them go.
Who is the person you admire the most?
My partner in business and life, Peter Johnston. He calls a spade, a spade, in the nicest way.
What have you enjoyed reading lately?
I read a lot business books. I had a big year of reading in 2010. I started running a series of webinars with bestselling business book authors as the guests – so I had to read the books before interviewing them. Two of the best were: Linchpin by Seth Godin and ReWork by David Heinemeir Hansson and Jason Fried.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Surround yourself with good mentors and advisors. I’ve had great mentors and advisors (some formally, some informally) and continue to. They keep me on track, they question some of my decisions, and they keep me accountable.
What did you take from your experience in the Entrepreneur Of The Year program?
I was hesitant to enter the Entrepreneur Of The Year program. Like many entrepreneurs I doubted that my achievements were big enough to be recognised in such a prestigious way. I was just being me, doing what I do. I realise now that:
a) it’s typical of women to play down their success, and that
b) you can work in a bubble and keep striving higher and higher without recognising what you have achieved.
The award made me take stock and review my progress. I still have the award framed and in my office.
If you could apply your entrepreneurial skills to anything in the world, what would it be?
It’s important for me to make a contribution. My businesses have been designed with that in mind and have provided a vehicle to make changes in people’s lives. This year, I’m looking to find one or two board positions, most likely in new media start-ups or educational organisations, to be able to share my skills.
What will entrepreneurship look like in Australia in 2020?
Great question. I believe the essence of entrepreneurship – the dream to build something, to make a difference, to have sovereignty over your own life – will stay the same. It’s timeless.
However, the way we do business will change. A business will not look like it does today, it will have virtual teams, a decentralised workforce and no office – using technology to connect. And, the good news is: there will be more women in business.
These are exciting times. It’s a great time to start and grow a business.
To read the Entrepreneur Of The Year Connections update which featured this interview, please click here (pdf, 691.8kb).
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