This regional award recognises a home-based business in Narromine Shire that displays outstanding entrepreneurship and management skills.

The award is part of the Orana Regional Business Excellence Awards that recognise achievement in the local business community.

Mrs Stonestreet said she was thrilled her business had been recognised and considered it an honour she shares with her fellow Mary Kay Beauty Consultants.

“My Mary Kay business is such an enormous enabler in my life in so many different ways,’’ she said.

“It fulfils all priorities for my family and offers flexibility and independence whilst providing the financial security no other job could offer.’’

Mrs Stonestreet’s Mary Kay career began as the result of the severe drought, which acutely affected their 4000-acre farming property 20km south-west of Narromine.

“Like many women, I found that available jobs were limited for someone who had a young family, had been out of the workforce for many years and also worked on our family’s farm.

“Having flexibility, independence and control over my work schedule was crucial for our situation then and it remains so today. The Mary Kay business opportunity was the perfect fit.

“Narromine is a fabulous town and shire in which to live, work and raise a family. I believe it is imperative in a rural area to emphasise that geographical distance does not mean social or business isolation.”

Mrs Stonestreet now progresses to compete against other Orana Regional Business Excellence Awards winners at The Stars Come Out to Shine which will be held at the Back O’Bourke Exhibition Centre on Saturday, October 25.