Simone Preston was born in Kogarah, Sydney, in 1969 and grew up in Greenacre with her mum Kerrie, stepfather Greg, and brothers Dean and Curt.

She began working behind the bars of many well-known Sydney pubs, and later worked as a secretary, a salesperson and a sales and marketing manager. In 2005, Simone made the decision to start her own business. After attending many women’s networks in major cities, she realised that there was a lack of business support for women in regional areas. So following some extensive market research she started Business Women Connect (BWC) – a networking group that provides forums to empower women with the skills to develop themselves professionally and personally and to realise their entrepreneurial capabilities.

Launching the company with a small database, a laptop, and a desk at home, Simone used her extensive network on the NSW Central Coast to start BWC. The first luncheon attracted over 150 attendees and received the necessary feedback to encourage Simone to further develop her business. One-and-a-half years later, BWC has expanded into five major regional areas and is forecasting a multimillion-dollar turnover in 2007.

As founder and managing director of BWC, Simone has combined her dual desires of running a successful business and empowering like-minded women to fully develop their potential. Her passion and drive have enabled her to build a company that has provided thousands of women in regional areas with the opportunity to be inspired by successful women from all over Australia. These breakfasts, luncheons, conferences, workshops and seminars have provided an avenue for women to develop the business skills necessary for success in today’s competitive environment.