Canberra Micro Business Woman of the Year 2024!

I Won an Award! On Friday night my team and I attended the gala dinner for the Canberra Women in Business (CWB) - what a wonderful night it was and to be in a room with so many inspiring women in business in Canberra... I am honoured to be in such company and excited and grateful to receive the 2024 Micro Business Winner for Sissa Sorella! 

CWB describe the event best... 

Here is a transcript of my speech if you are interested - CWB asked all the finalists to write one just in case, and I still can't believe I had to read it out!

I am beyond honoured to be standing here tonight, receiving this incredible recognition. First and foremost, I’d like to thank the Women in Business Awards, the Sponsors and the judges for acknowledging not just me, but all of the women in business who continue to push boundaries and make an impact.

I was fired!!   My Mum told me not to say that.  But it’s the truth – one that rocked my world at the time, and the reality is that one door closed and another opened.  If this little confidence killer didn’t happen,  my journey to this magical place called Sissa Sorella wouldn’t have either and I wouldn’t be standing here in my blue stilettos.   

I’ve always had a love, I’m sure my husband would call it an addiction, to shoes!  I was often searching for shoes, the right pair of shoes always made me feel confident and complete.  when I visited the bigger cities , I chased the small independent boutiques to fill my shelves and cupboards, and my husband’s cupboard too – with beautiful shoes. 

Starting Sissa Sorella was more than just a business venture—it was about building something that could empower women to feel confident, stylish, and unstoppable. I’ve always believed,  thanks to my Nanna’s wise words, that fashion can do more than make you look good; it can make you feel good.  And as women,  we know the power of feeling confident in our own shoes—whether in the boardroom, a date, on the shop floor, the school drop off, at an event, or at home.

But like so many of us here, being a woman in business hasn’t always been easy. We’ve faced challenges that have tested our resilience and strength—none more so than during the pandemic. COVID brought unprecedented challenges for small businesses, especially for women-led ones. It forced us to rethink, adjust, and pivot almost overnight. For Sissa Sorella, this meant embracing e-commerce something I did with a lot of reluctance. I also decided that  opening a new store was a good idea until I closed it down, 2 and a half years later. This was  One of the hardest business decisions I have had to make.  I couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of failure. With time, and reflection, I’ve realised that this was all part of my journey.  I veered out of my lane, I worked out what I did and didn’t like and have come back to my true love, shoe love.   Stronger and wiser.

And that’s what women in business do. We adapt. We innovate. We turn challenges into opportunities. We build communities.  

To my amazing team, this award is as much yours as it is mine. Your hard work, creativity, and passion have been the foundation of Sissa Sorella. You’ve supported me,  held me up and  inspired me. Together, we’ve built something that’s about more than just shoes—it’s about supporting, giving confidence and joy to our customers and connecting with the women in our community.

Our wonderful customers, their support has allowed us to continue doing what we love, even in the toughest of times. Whether you shopped with us online, left us a review, or simply shared a kind word—you’ve made a difference.

And to all the women in this room, thank you for inspiring me daily.  

Finally, to my family—thank you for your unwavering support, love, and belief in me.  My mum, she’s my biggest cheerleader and you’ll often find her in the store alongside me helping out.  My husband, he is the one holding me up when I’m exhausted, also fills the fridge, cooks dinner, keeps the washing going, and rubs my feet at the end of the day.    

Let’s continue to celebrate, support, and uplift each other—because as women in business, we are unstoppable.

My name is Kate.  I am a shoe addict.