Women's paid work and economic contribution to the household and national economy were seldom recognised in public documents in the second half of the nineteenth century in Australia. The discourse of women's role within the house and family was dominant. In this paper we attempt to uncover women's entrpreneurial activities in small businesses in a country town. Women's roles in the hospitality and retail industries are examined and we conclude that, whether through economic necessity or individual preference and choice, women were essential to the financial success of these businesses.