Entrepreneur and mum named a finalist among other savvy business women

A Toowoomba business woman, entrepreneur, and mother has been nominated for two prestigious business awards for her groundbreaking work with rural businesses.

Natalie Fogarty of Vigour Graphics has been named as a finalist in two categories of the AusMumpreneur awards, Thursday, August 5, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

DRAWING on her upbringing on a cattle property and combining it with her creative talents helped Natalie Fogarty build a thriving digital business over the past 21 years that has now been recognised on the national stage.

It’s her knowledge and a love for everything digital that led her to start her own business, and now her efforts have been recognised with a double nomination at the AusMumpreneur Awards.

Ms Fogarty has been named a finalist for the Digital Innovation Award and the Regional Business Award.

Ms Fogarty started Vigour Graphics 16 years ago and began working at home so she could work full time and raise her two twins Mitchell and Micarlia, now 21 years old.

At the time, working from home was a new concept.

Natalie Fogarty of Vigour Graphics has been named as a finalist in two categories of the AusMumpreneur awards, Thursday, August 5, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“At the time it was groundbreaking because no one worked from home, and there wasn’t a lot of credibility for working from home,” she said.

Ms Fogarty continues to run a wildly successful business that specialises in web and graphic design, web maintenance, and Search Engine Optimisation.

Her experience and expertise with regional and rural businesses is what she believes sets her apart from the industry.

“What gives me my point of difference is that I grew up on a beef cattle property, I know the people from the land, I communicate with them well,” she said.

“I speak their speak, and they know, like and trust me.”

As a mum who successfully began her own business while raising young kids, Ms Fogarty has become a wealth of knowledge and advice for other women like herself.

“Instead of being isolated, make sure you network,” she said.

“Reach out to like-minded people and surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed.

“Be a cheerleader to those around you.”