Stefan Bradley
AUSTRALIA’S Regional Business Women’s Network, also known as The Champagne Lounge, wants to empower regional and rural women to overcome ‘tall poppy syndrome’ and celebrate their accomplishments.
Tall poppy syndrome, which sees individuals being cut down for standing out, affects many successful women, particularly in regional and rural areas where isolation often heightens these challenges.
Rebecca Saunders, founder of The Champagne Lounge, a digital community for Australia’s regional female business owners and entrepreneurs, says she wants to make a bold statement against the societal tendency to criticise success, especially for women in business.
According to Ms Saunders, nearly one third of businesses owned by women in Australia are based in regional and rural areas. These women often face unique challenges, including geographical isolation, lack of access to traditional business networks, and a higher risk of mental health struggles.
“Moving from the city to a regional town, I quickly felt the weight of tall poppy syndrome. In a smaller community, success can sometimes make you a target for criticism, and I found myself feeling like I had to hide my achievements to avoid standing out. As a city import, I didn’t have an established network, and it was incredibly isolating. I felt like I was navigating business alone, and the loneliness made the pressure even harder to handle,” Ms Saunders said.
“I realised that if I was feeling this way, other regional women in business probably were too. That’s why I founded The Champagne Lounge – to create a space where women like me could connect, support one another, and celebrate their successes without fear of judgment. I wanted to build a community where tall poppy syndrome didn’t hold anyone back, and where women were encouraged to stand tall and be proud of their accomplishments.
“By shifting my focus to building that supportive network, I fought back against tall poppy syndrome by choosing to celebrate my wins, lift others up, and create a movement that encourages women to embrace their achievements. It’s been empowering not just for me but for so many women in similar situations.”
Ms Saunders said there are powerful ways for regional women to step up in business, despite challenges such as tall poppy syndrome and isolation:
• Building a strong network with like-minded women;
• Owning one’s success with confidence, rather than hiding achievements;
• Leveraging digital tools (i.e. social media and online platforms) to market business, connect with customers and collaborate beyond geographical limitations;
• And shift the narrative by challenging tall poppy syndrome and creating a culture that supports one another, instead of criticising one’s achievements.
“With the right mindset and community support, regional women can overcome these challenges and thrive in business,” Ms Saunders said.
“Regional women have shared many challenges with me when it comes to setting up businesses, and a lot of these centre around isolation and limited access to resources.
“One of the biggest things I hear is how difficult it is to build a supportive network in smaller towns, especially when there aren’t many like-minded businesswomen nearby. Without that community, it can feel like they’re doing everything on their own, which can be both overwhelming and lonely.
“Another challenge is the lack of access to the same opportunities that women in metropolitan areas often have. Whether it’s funding, business mentorship, or even practical resources like co-working spaces and high-speed internet, regional women often find themselves at a disadvantage.
“Tall poppy syndrome comes up a lot too – there’s this pressure to not shine too brightly or share your success for fear of being criticised or judged. That’s why so many regional women feel the need for a space where they can connect, support each other, and celebrate their wins without judgment, which was the driving force behind creating The Champagne Lounge.”
Emma Baker, Kristy Truran and Samantha Hjorth-Brown, taken at Lazy Oak Winery in Mudgee, New South Wales.
