Canberra small business owner takes out national Telstra business award

Canberra woman Jessica May won the Australian Start-up Award at the 2015 Telstra Business Women's Awards on Wednesday.

Ms May set up her website, Enabled Employment, after having trouble finding suitable employment when she was diagnosed with a panic disorder following the birth of her first child.

The site connects employers with people with a disability or Australian Defence Force members with post-traumatic stress and other injuries.

In the past 2½ years it has linked up with more than 180 employers, and in the past twelve months it has filled more than 100 of the 240 advertised positions.

"As a person with a disability and a female, the statistics were against me in gaining private venture capital for a start-up company," Ms May said.

"My business is changing the way people are perceived by employers and expanding job options for people with disability. This award win will provide a platform for creating change."

It is the first time in the 21 year history of the Telstra Business Women's Awards that any Canberra based business has won a category.