Media Release

Monique Filer and Dannielle Michaels from East Malvern and Caulfield, respectively, who together founded the business B.box for Kids, have been named St.George Banking Group AusMumpreneurs of the Year.

The seventh annual AusMumpreneur Awards were held in Melbourne on Sunday and saw talented mums from all over the country gather to support and encourage other Australian mumpreneurs.

Business owners and mothers of 5 kids between them, Monique and Dannielle were presented with the top award by major sponsor St.George Bank’s Head of SME Stuart Zalunardo for building a global brand with truly innovative products.

Monique and Dannielle said they were thrilled to be named the 2016 St.George Banking Group AusMumpreneurs of the Year among such a talented bunch of women.

"It felt amazing and a bit overwhelming to win this award, we love being a part of the AusMumpreneur community and it is such an honour to be recognised,” said Dannielle.

Monique said of their partnership, “It's much easier to jump off a cliff holding someone's hand. B.box wouldn't be what it is today without both of us and what we each bring to the business."

St.George Banking Group has sponsored the AusMumpreneur Awards for four years running, and is proud to the support entrepreneurial mums involved, Stuart Zalunardo said.

“At St.George we recognise the importance of the small business community in the Australian economy. St.George is committed to helping entrepreneurs like Monique and Dannielle and their fellow award winners grow and prosper.

“Each year I have been so impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of the award winners. These mothers are excellent examples of the possibilities of starting a business and I know they inspire women and small businesses across the country,” Stuart said.

AusMumpreneur Network owner Peace Mitchell said, “We are so excited to announce our 2016 AusMumpreneurs of the Year and believe Monique and Dannielle are such fitting winners and a great example for other women thinking about taking the leap into small business.

“Monique and Dannielle have generously donated their cash prize of $1,000 from St.George Bank to the AusMumpreneur Women’s Business School to provide a scholarship for another woman in business to be able to follow her dreams,” said Peace.

There were 18 categories in the 2016 St.George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards, with eleven judged and seven open to public voting. Winners are as follows:

Judged awards:

St.George Banking Group AusMumpreneur of the Year: Monique Filer & Dannielle Michaels, b.box

Bank of Melbourne Rising Star AusMumpreneur: Sarah Morrissey, Little Rockers Radio

BankSA Emerging AusMumpreneur: Emma Lovell, FlyBabee

Product Innovation Award: Helen Druitt, Buggy Cart

Business Excellence Award: Funda Yolal, Tiny Terrors

Digital Innovation Award: Tara O’Connell, Baby Diaries

Women’s Business School Award: Sarah Rouche, Red Cat Science

Global Brand Award: Julie Okely, Dilkara

Big Idea Award: Aimee Sherriff, PowerHouse Co-op

Sustainability Award: Krista Watkins, Natural Evolution Foods

AusMumpreneur Network Excellence Award: Karen McDermott, Serenity Press

People’s choice awards:

Influencer Award: Melanie Langley, Mummy2Mentor

Making a Difference Award: Sarah Murnane, Australian Breastfeeding Project

Making a Difference (Non-profit) Award: Rachelle Panitz, So Brave Breast Cancer Fundraiser Calendar

Service Award: Christine Gaby, Healthy Horizons

Retail Business Award: Diksha Khanna, Amazeology

Handmade Business Award: Amy McGlade, Baby Bee Hummingbirds

Customer Service Award: Kim Shaw, Fairy Gardening

For more information on the awards winners visit: www.ausmumpreneur.com.

Media contact:
Vicki Copeman
St.George Bank                                                                              
M: 0412 059 766                
E: vicki.copeman@stgeorge.com.au