Community
17 September, 2025
Mums can do anything
MUMS Crystal Leonardi and Nicola Baker have returned home from the 2025 National Ausmumpreneur Awards, in Geelong, with five individual awards.
Ms Leonardi of Bowerbird Publishing was named the winner in ‘author of the year’ and ‘overcoming the odds’ categories, while Ms Baker of Moyamoya Australia was named the winner in ‘rural and remote business excellence’, ‘emerging non-profit business excellence’ and ‘women changing the world’ categories.
Created by sisters Peace Mitchell and Katy Garner, the AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate the achievements of Australian mums in business across a wide range of categories, including business excellence, product innovation, customer service, sustainability and technology.
Ms Leonardi is the founder and chief executive officer of Bowerbird Publishing at Julatten. She is the author of seven titles, notably her 2025 release, ‘Clarity’ that documents her son’s brain cancer diagnosis, self-doubt and rediscovery. ‘Clarity’ has already earnt recognition in the American Literary Titan Awards, ABLE Book Awards and now Ausmumpreneur.
Ms Leonardi said she was excited to be named a winner and was proud of her achievements in the last 12 months, particularly her publishing company.
“It was built to give a voice to those who feel lost, alone and unheard,” she said.
Her dedication to expanding the literary community in Far North Queensland has been displayed through her organisation of several events such as the Douglas Shire Book Festival and the International Women’s Day lunch earlier this year.
Ms Leonardi said there were many benefits to balancing business and motherhood.
“Awards like Ausmumpreneur represent mothers in business who are juggling more than they let on,” she said.
Ms Baker formed Moyamoya Australia, in 2019, after her son had a stroke at just 11-months-old.
“We now try to help other people going through the same experience,” she said.
“Apart from this support, most importantly we, as an organistion, are trying to find out the reason for these medical issues as we currently don’t know why.
“At Moyamoya, we are working hard to find that genetic link.”
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