ADVERTISING FEATURE
For almost three decades, Tania Pearce has worked alongside her parents, operating Da-mell Air Conditioning and Heating.
Now a co-owner and the company's general manager, Ms Pearce is always willing to raise the profile of women in business.
"Things have improved overall, but I think we still have a long way to go in realising how important women are to the business world," she said.
"Women have so much to offer."
Being a woman in the male-dominated air conditioning industry did have its difficulties, Ms Pearce said, and it was vital that she built up product and industry knowledge.
"I had to work hard to show that I knew my product. I have been out on job sites and seen how units are installed, because I can't be leading a team if I don't know the products," she said.
"I didn't do a trade, so I have to know what they're doing and why they're doing it."
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This strategy helps support Ms Pearce's goal of always working together.
"It is crucial that we all work as a team and recognise that everyone's job is important," she said.
As a result, the business rewards flowed. This outlook has bred tremendous success in the form of continued business growth and remarkable longevity (Da-mell's has been operating for almost 50 years).
"Being a family business is important because it means we don't treat our customers like numbers - they are part of our family unit," Ms Pearce said.
"And, 49 years later, we still maintain a great reputation."
With International Women's Day just around the corner, Ms Pearce hopes to inspire other women to chase their dreams.
"Women should remember they are capable of doing anything," she said. "Never underestimate the power of a woman. And, if women worked together and used each others' strengths, I believe it would be amazing.
"We have a lot to offer the business world. We can be powerful, though also honest and compassionate. They are very valuable qualities.
"But, it is also hard work and you have to be prepared to continually learn.
"You can't sit back and say 'this is the way we have always run our business, so this is the way we'll continue to run it'. You have to be prepared to make changes."
Despite the challenges which sometimes arise, and with almost 30 years of experience under her belt, Ms Pearce said running a business still continues to be extremely satisfying.
"I'm really proud of what we do. Proud we have been part of the community for 49 years and proud we employ local people," she said.