In the early 1990's, Barb de Corti turned microfibre into the hottest cleaning item to hit the bench top. Her passion to turn Australia green earned her the position of Australia's wealthiest young female entrepreneur at the age of 40 as CEO of ENJO Australia.
In 2007, Barb was selected to become part of the Australian Conservation Foundation's Climate Project and was trained by Al Gore to deliver his slideshow on climate change. To date Barb has given this presentation to over 1,000 Australians.
At the inaugural Instyle Women of Style Awards ceremony in May 2009, Barb was honoured with the Woman of Style Award in the Environment category. This award recognises Barb's drive and passion which has placed her at the forefront of Australia's green movement for more than a decade.
ExpatWomen's Interview With Barb de Corti
ExpatWomen:Barb, when you arrived in Australia with your husband and three-year-old son in 1985, did you ever imagine that a newcomer like yourself, with no English language skills, would today be one of Australia's leading environmental entrepreneurs?
Barb de Corti:Having moved my life to a country on the other side of the world gave me a strong sense of determination to succeed. However it was my desire to make my son's life better that drove me to become an "entrepreneur". I grew up with a strong awareness of the natural environment so when I discovered ENJO was beneficial to my son's health and the environment as well, I wanted to share it with everyone – and the way to do that was by becoming an entrepreneur and starting my own business.
ExpatWomen: Unable to speak fluent English in your first year in Australia and unable to work as an accountant as you had in Austria, you dedicated your first six years in Australia to full-time motherhood. What kept you motivated in a professional sense, during those early years?
Barb de Corti: I really enjoyed my career in accounting before my son was born and when he was at an age where I was comfortable going back to work, I had a desire to achieve. I was ready to take on another role and on discovering ENJO I knew I had found exactly what I was supposed to do.
ExpatWomen:In 1994, you brought ENJO products from Austria to Australia, investing your family's AU$40,000 savings. What gave you the confidence to take that leap of faith?
Barb de Corti: My young son's severe asthma attacks were what led me to discover ENJO – a range of cleaning gloves and clothes that used just microfibre technology and water to clean. No chemicals.
When I started using ENJO, my son's asthma immediately improved and cleaning was so much quicker and easier. I knew that I had to share this amazing product with the rest of Australia. With the benefits it had brought to our lives, we had no hesitation in investing our life savings for something we knew would be a success.
ExpatWomen:Business was slow at the beginning and a few years down the track, the business almost ran out of money. What did you do to turn your business around?
Barb de Corti:Anyone who starts a business from nothing runs the risk of rough times, but I knew that it was just a part of the business cycle. My passion and conviction in ENJO was as strong as ever. I knew that other people would see the value in the products, so I just kept going.
ExpatWomen:What has your experience taught you about human potential?
Barb de Corti: Becoming a CEO of a successful company has taught me that anyone can do anything if they try. With passion, tenacity and the genuine need to make a difference anything is possible.
During my 15 years with ENJO I have seen not only myself grow, but literally thousands of women. Watching our ENJO Consultants become successful, independent, business owners is really inspiring and again proves that anything is possible when you work towards it.
ExpatWomen:What mistakes have you made over the years and what advice can you share?
Barb de Corti: My biggest mistake was undertaking a very expensive advertising campaign at the wrong time of the business cycle. That reinforced to me the cyclical nature of business.
In terms of advice, I always say that if you feel something is right and you are passionate about it, it's a great idea – so go for it!
ExpatWomen:Barb, you are truly an inspiration to all of us and we thank you very much for your time.
Barb de Corti: Thanks to you also and I wish success to each and every one of you.
