Today, she is the Managing Director of The Heat Group, which distributes beauty and cosmetic products, including CoverGirl and MaxFactor. With more than 20 years in business, she has collected a slew of awards, including Telstra's Victorian Business Women of the Year Victoria in 1986 and Global Entrepreneur of the Year for Australia in 2000.

What is more important, talent or drive?
Talent is about skills and experience. Drive is more about attitude, which can be improved and increased with motivating leadership. If already in the workplace and both employees have the talent, I would support the person with the drive. I have had experience with great people with a lot of drive, however they cannot deliver the results because they don't have the talent or expertise.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
Five. Luck often comes from opportunities or being in the right place at the right time, so the more effectively you work (and network), the more you will increase your chance of being presented with opportunities.

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
This is a difficult question because a great idea can be worth nothing if poorly executed. However, excellent execution of a poor idea rarely delivers outstanding results. Therefore, I believe they are equally important.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passionate. Passion drives a desire to succeed, an excellent work ethic and tenacity for great outcomes.

What is most and least important? Please rank your priorities.

1. Talent
   Drive
   Relationship skills
   Organisational skills
   Confidence.

What one trait has helped you most in business?
It has been my ability to think strategically and develop new ideas, but also have the ability to execute them tactically. Also, I am highly financially literate.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
My determination to never give up can be intimidatingly forceful.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
The importance of cash flow in a business. We almost ran out of money during our start-up growth phase and could have lost the business.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
Never underestimate the importance of networking and ask for advice from a diverse group of people.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
Not networking enough with men.