marie claire

Make Money Online: Designer Fashion Hire

Serena Ross, 25, founded www.dressedup.com.au, a site that allows you to borrow designer clothes.

Career: How To Play Your Boss

Picky, petty or just plain mean, they can ruin your working day. But you can learn to manage your manager.

Women In Business Q&A: Carla Zampatti

One of Australia's fashion favourites, Carla Zampatti launched her eponymous fashion label in 1965. She is now Executive Chairman of Carla Zampatti Pty Limited, Chairman of the SBS Corporation, holds Directorships with the Westfield Group and McDonald's Australia, is a Trustee of the Sydney Theatre Company Foundation Trust, and is a Board Member of the Australian Multicultural Foundation. Carla has received numerous awards including Australian Designer of the Year in 1994.

Career: Secrets of the Super Successful

They've pushed through the glass ceiling to reach the pinnacle of their professions. We surveyed some of Australia's top business women to find out what you need to get ahead.

Women In Business Q&A: Elaine Henry, CEO of the Smith Family

Before taking on her current role as CEO of The Smith Family, Elaine Henry was the Executive Director of the Cancer Council. In 1994 Henry was awarded a Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia. In 2000 she was presented with an inaugural Cancer Council Award for Professional Excellence - Service Delivery, as well as one of 50 Australian women to be profiled in the 2000 Businesswomen's Hall of Fame. She has also been named as one of the Australian Financial Review's BOSS True Leaders in 2001, 2004 and 2007.

Women In Business Q&A: Danielle Robertson, CEO of Dial-An-Angel

As the CEO of DIAL-AN-ANGEL, Danielle Robertson heads a nationwide business that provides staffing solutions for home, aged, and child care for thousands of Australian families.

Women In Business Q&A: Christine Christian, CEO of Dun & Bradstreet

Christine Christian is the CEO of Dun and Bradstreet Australia and New Zealand (D&B), Australia's leading credit reporting, debt collection and sales & marketing data company.

Women In Business Q&A: Christina Matta, Perfume Empire

Together with husband Richard, Christina Matta built the Perfume Empire retail chain into a multi-million dollar business, with plans to expand into New Zealand and the US.

Women In Business Q&A: Cath O'Connor, DMG Radio

Cath O'Connor is the chief executive of DMG Radio, which owns Nova and Vega. The broadcaster recently launched two new digital channels, Novanation and Koffee, which will begin broadcasting in June.

Women In Business Q&A: Carolyn Cresswell, Carman's Fine Foods

At 18, Carolyn Cresswell bought a failing homemade muesli company for $1000. 17 years later, Carman's Fine Foods is stocked in 23 countries.

Women In Business Q&A: Caroline Siler, Keep Left PR

At just 23, Caroline Siler founded Melbourne-based boutique public relations agency Keep Left PR. Six years on, her high profile clients include Bakers Delight and Cadbury Schweppes - and Siler was named as one of Australian Anthill's 30under30 young entrepreneurs.

Women In Business Q&A: Glenys Shearer, Commercial Director of the Just Group

Glenys Shearer is the Commercial Director of The Just Group, which owns Just Jeans, Portmans, Dotti and more. In 2005, Shearer was named Telstra Business Woman of the Year in the category of Australian Government Private and Corporate Sector.

Women In Business Q&A: Mandy Foley- Quin, Founder of Stedman's Hospitality

As a single mother 23 years ago, Mandy Foley-Quin founded Stedman's Hospitality, a hospitality and staffing agency. Today, she has 1500 casual staff on her books for events including several Olympic Games and a charity dinner hosted by Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark. This year, she won the 2009 Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award.

Women In Business Q&A: Rebecca Morrice Williams, Founder of Becca Cosmetics

Rebecca Morrice Williams started her career as a make-up artist in Perth before founding cult cosmetic brand BECCA, now stocked around the world.

Women In Business Q&A: Kelly Smith, Chocolateria San Churro

Less than two months after giving birth to her first child in 2006, opened her first Chocolateria San Churro. Today the chocolate cafes are franchised throughout Australia and Chocalateria San Churro was recently ranked 53 in BRW's Fast Starter list.

Women In Business Q&A: Sue Filby

Sue Filby became the first female General Manager at ETSA Utilities, South Australia's electricity distributor. In 2007 she was honoured with the National Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award Winner.

Women In Business Q&A: Shelley Barrett, Founder of ModelCo

Shelley Barrett, a former model agent, founded ModelCo in 2002 - the beauty range is now stocked 27 countries and more than 1000 stores.

Women In Business Q&A: Marie-Claude Mallat

At her eponymous boutique fashion PR agency, Marie-Claude Mallat looks after the publicity for top Australian designers including Zimmerman, Yeojin Bae and Kate Sylvester.

Women In Business Q&A: Katrina Allen, Founder of De Jour

Katrina Allen switched from an award-winning career as an art director to become the founder and managing director of De Jour Sanitary Products. Ten years on, she remains the only woman to fully own a sanitary product in Australia, which has turned over more than $40 million since its inception.

Women In Business Q&A: Sue Ismiel, Founder of Nad's

After experimenting with hair-removal techniques in her home, Sue Ismiel founded Nad's, a natural, no heat hair removal product, in 1992. Today she's the CEO of Sue Ismiel & Daughters and her products are stocked internationally.