If there’s one thing this year’s winners are, it’s varied! Be inspired by our favourite entrepreneurs of the past 12 months and learn from their real life challenges and triumphs.
Retail superstar Colette almost left the business world in 2009, after selling the hugely successful tween jewellery chain Diva. But she got bored so, although she didn’t have to, she decided to launch herself into something new and Colette Accessories was born.
This year, despite a much publicised legal battle with fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, the new business has gone from strength to strength, opening more than 30 stores across the country. And with all that experience under her belt, she described it as “a walk in the park”.
On her decision not to just sit back and enjoy the millions she made from selling Diva, Hayman simply says: “I tried to retire but found myself itching to do something more.”
“You can only have so many holidays, walks and coffees so I decided to open a bag and accessory chain for my Diva customers who had grown up into sexy young women.”
It’s a family business with her husband the CEO and daughters Natasha and Bianca working there too. Hayman has no intention of building the brand quickly, rolling it out and selling it, as she did with Diva.
“I love what I do. Getting up and going to work is not a chore for me, I can’t wait to get to work every day. I am always coming up with new ideas. It keeps my mind active and gives me a wonderful sense of achievement. I call it my purpose with passion.”