When was the last time you won something or got presented with an award? How good did it feel? It’s not easy to turn a dream or a bright idea into a viable business that lasts beyond the initial start-up phase. As any entrepreneur will confess, it takes many years of sacrifice, commitment and hard work to get a business off the ground and up and running.

Indeed, many successful businesses began in the spare bedroom, at the kitchen table, or in the shed in the backyard, and it was sheer determination, a strong vision and solid business plan that has seen them succeed. I recently was lucky enough to spend some time with two small business owners who have an events business – Treles Creations

Two friends, Theodora Antonopoulos and Penny Alexopoulos, who have consulting and journalism backgrounds, were two young girls struggling with the idea of spending the rest of their lives in the corporate world. One night in May 2005, over a cup of coffee in a trendy café, Penny and Theodora started chatting about their individual dreams and aspirations of being able to combine their natural artistic flair and creative talents with a business that would fill the world with fun and exciting products and services.

About six hours and five skim lattes later, the two friends had come up with one vision as to how they could put plenty of smiles on their client’s faces.

Together they decided to set up a boutique and niche event styling business in Sydney that would provide people with unique and precious concepts, suitable for any special celebration.

They want to become the new Martha Stewart of Australia.

Treles is Greek for “crazy girls” and that’s exactly what they are! Since starting their business venture, the two Treles (crazy girls) have combined talents and worked tirelessly to make their dream a reality.

I met them while we were shooting a TV show for Kochie’s Business Builders (Channel 7 Sunday mornings) and was so inspired about their business they are running from the parents home in the garage.

They are a classic example of the types of businesses we are looking for to participate in the 2008 Telstra Business Awards. The Telstra Business Awards program is dedicated to recognising Australian small to medium sized businesses across the country. The program has helped build the profile of more than 2000 Australian small to medium enterprises since its inception in 1992 and has grown to become one of the nation’s most prestigious business Awards programs.

From Devonport to Bunbury, Alice Springs to Port Macquarie, the 2007 program received a total of 3,800 nominations and went on to showcase the achievements of 137 small and medium businesses. Among them were chocolatiers, real estate agents, physiotherapists, construction companies, fashion labels and healthcare providers.

And, for the first time in the program’s history, the judges were so impressed by the entrants that two businesses were co-named the 2007 Telstra Australian Business of the Year.

New South Wales gourmet food manufacturer, Brookfarm, and Northern Territory corporate software solutions provider, SRA Information Technology, were both presented the top honour by Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sol Trujillo, and Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, Ms Deena Shiff.

“Australian small to medium businesses are among the best in the world. Their productivity, innovation and competitiveness demonstrate this leadership, which we see through the increasing calibre of winners in the Telstra Business Awards each year,” Mr Trujillo said.

Brookfarm founders, Pam and Martin Brook, purchased a run-down dairy farm near Byron Bay in northern New South Wales in 1988, where they planted 4500 macadamia trees. The dentist and video producer continued to work in their full time jobs for ten years, while they waited for their trees to bear fruit.

And it was well worth the wait. Today, Brookfarm produces a range of macadamia muesli, snacks and oils which are sold throughout Australia and internationally.

Martin Brook said that winning the title of 2007 Telstra Australian Business of the Year has helped their business reach a greater market and has rewarded their staff with a sense of achievement.

“The Awards have been a tremendous affirmation for all our staff that our culture and the way we do business is highly valued by others.

“The win has been a great boost not only for Brookfarm, but also for our regional community, our retailers, suppliers and especially our customers who have been with us from the early days,” Mr Brook said.

Check out the interview we filmed with Brookfarm coming up on Kochie’s Business Builders (smallbusiness.yahoo.com.au) in March.

SRA Information Technology, also named 2007 Telstra Australian Business of the Year, agrees. Chief Executive Officer, Steven Rowe, said he and his team gained many benefits from being involved in the Telstra Business Awards.

“This Award recognises our staff, our clients, our business partners and our community, and it recognises the forging of our first 15 years,” he said.

Based in Darwin, with offices in Adelaide and Canberra, SRA Information Technology was formed in 1992 as a consultancy which developed software solutions for environmental monitoring.

“Perhaps the greatest benefit was in simply participating in the Telstra Business Awards, which has provided the reflection that will drive us forward. Having the opportunity to asses our vision, our cultural outlook, and our commitment to both, has enabled us to realign for the next 15 years,” Mr Rowe said.

In 2008, the Telstra Business Awards’ categories have changed to better represent and include all Australian small and medium enterprises.

In keeping with the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ definition of small and medium enterprise, the Telstra Business Awards is now open to all eligible businesses with between one and 200 employees. The previous criteria was for businesses with between one and 100 employees.

Entrants are assessed on factors such as their business structure and future plans, staff and customer relationships, marketing strategy, use of technology and innovation.

A new category, the Social Responsibility Award, will also launch this year to recognise SMEs for demonstrating leadership and making contributions to the environment, people, education or the community.

The State and Territory based Awards will take place throughout the year, with winners going on to compete for the title of 2008 Telstra Australian Business of the Year in the national finals in October. Winners will share in a prize pool of $400,000 which includes cash grants, prizes, business products and services.

There are five categories open to businesses this year:

• The Micro-business Award (for businesses with five or less employees);
• The MYOB Small Business Award (for businesses with six to 20 employees);
• The Panasonic Australia Medium Business Award (for businesses with 21 to 200 employees);
• The AMP Innovation Award (for businesses that have introduced an innovative product, service or process); and,
• The Social Responsibility Award (for businesses that have demonstrated leadership and contributed to the environment, people, education or the community).

You may want to nominate yourself or you may want to nominate a friends business or a family members business.

Nominations for the 2008 Telstra Business Awards open on Monday 3 March

To nominate your business, another business or find out more information, please visit: Telstra Business Awards (www.telstrabusinessawards.telstra.com) or call 1800 262 323.