Ann has a background in start-ups with a focus on emerging industries and is a regionally renowned beekeeper based on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. Her company Hive Haven specialises in the manufacture of award-winning native bee boxes and the production of Australian stingless bee honey and pollinator seed mixes.

Ann’s future vision for the Rural Women’s Award is that rural women identify themselves as a movement of leaders who are proud of the role they play in developing and supporting Australia’s rural industries. Ann believes that every woman has a personal journey, with no two the same.

Ann’s aspiration for the rural industry is ‘conservation of the food chain’. Ann says we currently utilise approximately 1% of edible plant species to fuel our diets. Ann is committed to supporting more innovation around the development of highly nutritional food sources.

In this podcast Ann discusses how university study and university mentors provide her with inspiration, practical advice and support.  She also shares her advice on ‘doing your homework’ before and after networking and taking a samples to networking events.  In particular, Ann recommends saying yes to every networking opportunity, finding out who will be at each event and not only researching the guest list but making contact with anyone you particularly want to meet before the event to arrange to meet/chat.  That way you’re guaranteed not to be on your own the whole event, you will most likely meet the people who you believe will assist your venture, and make the most of each encounter.  Ann also recommends having a strategy for what you want to achieve at each event and taking along samples (in her case – honey) as a conversation starter and to refer to in conversations.  Ann also recommends following up with people you meet at networking event, by maybe sending an email saying how much you enjoyed meeting them…   

Ann’s tips and tricks are an inspiration!