Valerie Khoo

Valerie Khoo is a journalist, author and entrepreneur who is passionate about the concept that you can design your small business to create the life you really want.

Whether you want to change your life - or change the world - your business can be a tool to make this happen. In 2005, she founded the Sydney Writers' Centre - Australia's leading centre for writing training. Since then, it has grown from a one-person operation to a thriving centre featuring 20 of Australia's leading writing trainers/journalists/authors. The centre has helped thousands of students get published, change careers and improve their job prospects.

Valerie is a sought-after presenter and has worked with government departments, multinationals and universities. With a Bachelor of Economics (majoring in accounting) and a Graduate Diploma in Communication (journalism, public relations), Valerie began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining a national public relations firm. She has worked at three major publishing houses - ACP Magazines, EMAP and Pacific Magazines - including three years in Singapore.

Her popular Enterprise blog appears in smh.com.au, theage.com.au, watoday.com.au and brisbanetimes.com.au

Valerie has been a mentor in the Women in Business mentor program with the NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD). She is published regularly in The Sydney Morning Herald, is author of five books and writes for a range of corporate and consumer publications.

In 2007, Valerie was appointed an ambassador of Australia Network and will feature on the channel which is available in 21 million homes in 41 countries across Asia, the Pacific, the Indian subcontinent and in more than 200,000 hotel rooms.

In 2008, the Sydney Writers' Centre blog was included in Smart Company's list of Top 15 Best Business Blogs.
Valerie has been awarded:

• 2004 Family Circle Women Who Dare Awards
• 2005 Australian Humanitarian Award (Business category)
• 2005 Australia Post Small Business Awards Special Judges Commendation
• 2006 UTS Alumni Leadership Award
• 2006 Anthill 10 Coolest Companies in Australia.
• 2008 Finalist Small Business Champion Awards (NSW)
• 2009 Australian Finalist in the Dell Small Business Excellence Awards

Client Ovations: Valerie was simply 'inspired' as the moderator for our Meet The Entrepreneur hypothetical-style event. There was a heavy reliance on the moderator function to guide the group dynamic, and explore and delve into each of our panelists' backgrounds and talents. At the most basic level, she entertained us all, and steered debate into important quarters, while being humorous, informed and obviously very intelligent. A brilliant performance and her preparation shined through!

Director, Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, UNSW

Valerie Khoo is an inspiring and professional speaker who really knows how to engage an audience. She is able to impart lots of really useful information based on her

Co-founder of the NSW Freelance Journalist's Network

I think Valerie is one of the best speakers I've come across so far.

NSW President, Business and Professional Women Australia