Inspiring women: Shivani Gupta-International speaker, business columnist and TV presenter

Shivani eventually went on to become one of the few women of her time to study engineering, joining the male-dominated industry upon completion of her studies. Far from letting the challenges of being a woman hold her back, she quickly rose through the ranks to become a senior manager for BHP Billiton at the age of 27. During her work with the biggest resource company in the world, she also found time to complete an MBA.

Despite her senior position at a junior age, the real life changing moment for Shivani was while on a trekking expedition through Nepal. Rather than continue her climb through the corporate ranks, she would instead devote her time to following her passion of helping others. "Every step towards your passion is a good step because I learnt so much from being an engineer. Once my passion became clear, the path became easier. It's when we don't know what we want, there is confusion," Shivani says.

After establishing her own company devoted to helping others improve their lives and businesses, Shivani has continued to challenge herself through writing books, articles for national publications including The Australian and the Law Review, public speaking engagements, radio presenting and working on television. Each new medium brings Shivani closer to her own goals while at the same time helping others.

"I look at the impact that I make on people and try to find ways to inspire, challenge or transform them. My aim in life is to touch a billion people, which is a big hairy goal so that is the path that I am on."

It's a huge target, and while on that track she has a host of top-ranking companies enlisting her for keynote addresses and coaching.

"I receive many emails and letters each week from people including women who have been influenced in a small or a large way, from either hearing me speak, or reading a book I have written or coming in contact with me through my coaching. It feels amazing to support other people in their journey."

Having spent so much time in the corporate world, Shivani brings clear and concise advice to other women.

"Women, irrespective of the positions they reach, often lack feeling good enough that they belong there. Others believe in you, so believe in yourself and affirm to yourself constantly that you are good enough!

"One of my biggest mistakes when I was starting out was not setting my goals big enough in the beginning and allowing some of the 'naysayers' to pull me down. I am much more aware of negative people now, and ensure I minimise, if not slowly eliminate, their negativity from my life."

"I choose to support myself with positive people now instead. The people who inspire me are those who are successful and humble. My husband, family, friends, clients and mentors who share my journey with me."

Shivani is now more than making up for her early self doubts, with big plans for the future of her business and growing media profile.

"The business is growing in all areas-speaking, coaching and media. I want to write many more books and need to attract the right people who can help achieve that big goal-I have a billion people to influence, so there is a lot of work to do and a lot of fun to be had getting there!"

Fun seems to be a key word in Shivani's life, and within seconds of hearing her speak it's clear that she genuinely enjoys what she's doing. The results of her passion speak for themselves-her various awards include Telstra Young Business Woman; Achiever of the Year for Enterprising Women Awards; Finalist in the Hunter Leadership Awards. In 2005 Shivani was named an honorary member of the Golden Key Society for her work with Universities, putting her in the company of Bill Clinton and Ian Thorpe.