Julie Smith-Massara

This year’s Rising Stars awards attracted 52 entries from a wide range of business sectors, all committed to innovation and growth.

Australian Mine Services managing director Ian Massara has clear memories of winning his first job with BHP Billiton.

In 1997, gold explorer Westgold Resources bought a parcel of St Barbara shares from Perth investor, Ron Woss.

The decision to sell the family home to fund a new business, with two children under three years of age, was one Julie Smith-Massara did not make lightly.

The setting sun cast a warm glow over the decks of the imposing Osman Gazi, the impressive venue for the sixth annual WA Business News 40under40 awards held last month.

The rush to consolidate the minerals services sector continues unabated, with Cardno Ltd buying Buckland Engineers Australia, while Leighton Holdings Ltd negotiates to acquire Australian Mine Services Pty Ltd.

Navigating a business through Western Australia’s economic boom presents enormous challenges for business, according to several leading WA business executives.

Several Perth entrepreneurs are nervous about the impact a change of federal government next month could have on the Australian economy in three to five years’ time.

The skills shortage has forced many business operators to adopt a more flexible approach to paternity leave provisions.

Female business executives came to the fore in 2007, winning recognition in some of Australia’s most prominent business awards.

There’s progress and there’s progress. The opportunities for women in business have grown significantly during the past 30 years, aided by laws, societal changes and individuals who broke through barriers.

The WA Business News annual 40under40 Awards is among the biggest events on the Western Australian business community’s calendar, and this year’s awards certainly lived up to expectations.

A largely hidden side of wealth creation is in the private sector, where successful entrepreneurs have built considerable businesses, in many cases with their families or over more than one generation.

LEIGHTON Holdings Ltd has emerged as one of the most active buyers of small Western Australian businesses in the past year, paying more than $22 million for three service organisations that expanded its footprint in Perth and the South West.

PAST winners of the Rising Stars award could never be accused of standing still.