Australian Skin Clinics franchisee Deb Farnworth-Wood is Gold Coast Woman in Business of the Year

AN entrepreneur with a flair for health and business has been named Gold Coast’s Woman in Business of the Year. Here are all the Gold Coast Women in Business Awards winners.

Gold Coast Woman in Business of the Year Deb Farnworth-Wood with MP Karen Andrews and Caralee Caldwell. Photo: John Pryke

AN entrepreneur with a flair for health and business has been named Gold Coast’s Woman in Business of the Year.

Deb Farnworth-Wood, franchise founder and director of Australian Skin Clinics received the award ion front of 350 guests at a gala lunch at The Star Gold Coast yesterday.

Ms Farnwood-Wood and other award winners shared in over $120,000 in prizes.

Having purchased the original Australian Skin Clinics in early 2007, Ms Farnwood-Wood groomed the business ready for franchise, developed the look, feel and systems, opening the first franchise clinic in October 2011.

By August 2016 the brand had reached 24 clinics and merged with Ella Rouge delivering a total of 48.

Australian Skin Clinics Managing Director, Deb Farnworth-Wood. Picture: supplied

Under her stewardship, she doubled the business turnover within three years despite the GFC, leading the organisation in a franchise direction, involving formalisation and documentation of policies and procedures, grooming of new management team, development of clinical governance strategy as well as, training and accreditation processes.

Women in Business Awards executive director Karen Phillip said Ms Farnworth-Wood’s fearless tenacity helped her achieve a new and highly successful franchise model.

“Judges were highly impressed with her leadership style and ability to maximise the brand’s market share in an unpredictable market,” Ms Phillips said.

“Our Gold Coast winner has exhibited extraordinary leadership, fierce determination and

enormous ambition, as well as an inherent thoughtfulness that extends far beyond her own career aspirations.

“Deb is a passionate advocate for women in business, and epitomises everything the awards program represents.”

Other 2017 Gold Coast Women in Business Awards winners were:

Business Achiever Award: Claire Mitchell, director and CEO Nataliegroup;

Community Dedication and Social Justice: Alexis Jordan, team Co-ordinator Intimo;

Innovation and Technology Award: Caz Tebbutt: managing director Tebbutt Research;

Karen Andrews, Tania Meli and Caz Tebbutt at the Gold Coast Women in Business Awards. Photo: John Pryke

Aspiring Young Business Women’s Award: Tamika Smith, founding director TSR Property Solutions;

Empowering Young Women’s Award: Arora Attenborough, St Hilda’s School.

Creating Change: Christine Smyth, Partner Robbins Watson Solicitors;

Arts and Culture Award: Amery Burleigh, general manager, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach

Sofitel Broadbeach general manager Amery Burleigh. Picture: John Gass

The Futurist: Rachael Keuning, client manager Walsh Accountants;

Rising Star Honours went to Ingrid Bonnor, owner designer of Homebodii; Carly Fradgley, director of Baby Give Back and Emily Ireland of Palm Beach Currumbin High School.