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Founder of OnlineDivas.com.au, Hollie Turner, is currently ducking creditors and a long line of dissatisfied members who are demanding their money back from the women’s networking site.
Australian Women Online has spoken to several women who say they have been let down, ripped off and in some cases, verbally abused by Hollie Turner, who is reportedly in the United States at present and can’t be reached. When reports surfaced last week that the TV program A Current Affair, were interested in doing a story on the Online Diva, Hollie Turner silenced her critics by promising to pay what she owed. But more than a week later, creditors say they are still waiting and that all their most recent attempts to contact Turner have failed.
I have to admit I never really liked the ‘Online Divas’ concept. Firstly, I think the name “divas” sends the wrong message. How many times have we heard an over-demanding, tantrum-throwing celebrity described in the media as a Diva? As a business woman, this is certainly not the message I would want to send to the business community.
Secondly, women’s business networks such as Online Divas, encourage women to network amongst themselves, instead of getting out there and mixing with the wider business community. Although it’s nice to see women supporting each other, the reality is that men still hold the majority of senior positions in business and therefore, it makes absolutely no sense for women to network only with other women.
Thirdly, I don’t think it’s fair to charge people for advice they could just as easily find online for free. I also didn’t appreciate being screamed at by Hollie Turner after I told her that I wouldn’t be promoting the launch of her website on Australian Women Online.
But despite my personal feelings, it really doesn’t give me any pleasure to have to report on the problems that have arisen in the Online Divas network.
Web designer, Lisa Taliana (www.talianadesign.com.au), says she is still owed $1,200 by Hollie Turner for services she completed for the Online Divas website back in July this year.
Lisa told Australian Women Online, “I took over from her previous web designer and she paid me very quickly for the first job. But she never paid me for the second job – where I basically designed her email template for her and also got her Drupal content management system back up and running.”
Although Hollie Turner has denied owing her the money, Lisa says she can prove she is owed the $1,200.
“I have saved all the emails where she agreed to pay me and I’ve also saved all the transcripts of our chats on Skype,” said Lisa.
In addition to the money she is owed for work performed for the Online Divas website, Lisa Taliana has joined the long list of Australian women who are demanding a refund of the $75 membership fee they were charged by Online Divas.
“I actually went to one of the first events they had and I wasn’t impressed. It’s just really bad advice that they give to people. I was actually a panelist at one of the events and the other girls who were there were just basically encouraging women to go off and do it themselves. A shopping cart isn’t actually easy to do on your own and a blog isn’t going to make you an entrepreneur,” said Lisa.
“There’s nothing happening with the website at the moment and she’s offering nothing to people as an incentive. She offers discounts to events but they get cancelled and she doesn’t return the money.”
The winner of the ‘I wanna be an Online Diva’ competition in 2008, Penny Flanders from www.missmoneypenny.net.au, says although she received free web design, she hasn’t received much else from Online Divas.
“I was also promised a laptop computer, Peep Toe Shoes, an Online Divas membership, mentoring and a Blackberry. Although I did receive the web design and the Blackberry, I had to sign up to a plan for the Blackberry so I was never able to use it,” said Penny.
“I’m still not listed as an Online Diva on the website and I am yet to receive the laptop, the shoes and the business mentoring. These promises are why I launched my business and now I’m left without knowing what to do.”
After the producers of A Current Affair were contacted, Hollie Turner did promise Penny she would deliver the laptop computer. But then in a strange twist to this story, the person Turner had been staying with in San Francisco, reportedly said their laptop had been stolen.
Like Lisa Taliana, Penny says she is fed up with Hollie Turner’s empty promises and wants her experiences to serve as a warning to others.
Sam Winter from www.sassisam.com, says she too is waiting for a refund of her $75 membership fee.
“Hollie has agreed to give me back my money but I haven’t seen it yet, so it could be just another empty promise. I also want to know from her why she charged some girls and not others to join Online Divas.”
Although only Hollie Turner knows her reasons for charging some the membership fee and not others, I would say the most likely explanation is that she wants to encourage women who have a high public profile to join the community – a strategy that has worked well, with Samantha Brett from AskSam, Lauren Smelcher from Cosmopolitan, Kylie Little from Essential Baby, Melanie Silva from Google and many others who can lend credibility to the site, featured on the home page of Online Divas.
We have been told there are many more women who are dissatisfied with the treatment they’ve received, but for one reason or another, they are afraid to come forward and talk about their experiences publicly. All three of the women I spoke to said that whenever they complained to Hollie Turner, they would often receive an abusive email from her.
“I do know many girls are unhappy with Online Divas and Hollie Turner. The difficult thing is getting people to talk about it,” said Penny Flanders. “Hollie knows this and she relies on it.”
UPDATE:
12:30pm, 4 December 2009
Hollie Turner from Online Divas has contacted myself and the three women mentioned in this article. Hollie has refunded the membership fee owed to Sam and is currently making arrangements with Lisa to repay the money she owes for web design services. Hollie is also negotiating with Penny to deliver on her promise of a laptop computer.
Hollie has also asked that we remove the article from the website which we will not do.
Heard rumours but now it’s official. I was promised refund for the Miss Blogger conference that was rescheduled to a low key event, but no response or anyone at the office. She’s still active on Twitter
I had a bad experience with Hollie that left me wanting nothing more to do with the organisation.
It’s been terrible watching this story unfold – it’s basically fraud – she’s got to be stopped before other people get burned.
Congrats to these brave women who spoke out – I’m sure there are plenty of stories out there just like theirs.
If you’ve been wronged speak out!!
I had my own dreadful experience… empty promises, no acknowledgement of joining and paying, no response when volunteering own time to help out when I could see Diva’s clearly needed help. And then when I apparantly had to audacity to complain after months of no response I was screamed at and then given an analysis of apparantly how bad my business was and that actually they didn’t want people like me or my business anyway! Shocking, so sad and it made me feel dreadful. I cried after being treated so horribly. All I had wanted was what I paid for. To then be treated with such disrespect left me feeling so disappointed.
I find it hard to believe that she is now back to the USA with still money owed in Australia.
I signed up for Online Diva’s after being ‘invited’ to join over a year ago (and yes, I paid). Initially I was hesitant but thought I would give it a chance. On sign up I was supposed to receive a subscription to Nett magazine (never got it), a keychain (never got it) and the promise that the online divas website would be up and running (still waiting for that). I did attend one of the events, and whilst it was interesting to meet some of the people I already knew, didn’t feel the urge to attend another, for some of the reasons you have stated above Deb. Essentially for my membership, I’ve got my photo on a website and link to my website, some articles lifted straight off other websites in my RSS feed and nothing else. Seems like I got off easy though compared to some of these horror stories!
What’s wrong with you guys, seriously all you can do is complain. Not to mention the good stuff that Hollie has done for women and online businesses. I also don’t see any balance or comments from Hollie in this entire story, I’m sure she has something to say about all of this.
If you check on Facebook there’s actaully a group called ‘Hollie Turner owes me money’ with a LOT of professionals from Australia and the US.
There’s also a guy in the US who has been contacting all of Hollie’s Facebook friends in his attempts to get back not just money owed to him but also his Apple laptop, which he claims she took from his house (he says she was sharing with him and her then boyfriend, now ex-bf) when she moved residences.
Kudos to AWO for running this story. And shame on you, Hollie Turner, not just for your actions but also for having the nerve to ask for this article to be taken down! Whatever happened to freedom of the press, the power of the internet and giving people information and BOTH sides of the story so they can make up their own mind?
What good stuff? I applied (when the site first launched) to be an “online diva” I was told divas were “Selected” however they were opening up a paid membership program soon if I wanted to pay!.
Instead of forming bonds for women in business online, Hollie created rifts and the typical female culture of picking popular people and leaving others out.
As for the blog- reposting entire articles from other blogs and then holding a blog conference on your expertise does not a blog make.
I did business with Hollie Turner some time ago and have been scarred for life. This is only one of the countless times she’s not delivered on her promises and refused to pay people the money she owes.
I know a number of people who Hollie still owes money and some have even set up their own facebook group called ‘Hollie Turner owes me money’… She should not continue to get away with unethical business practices and fraud…and this article should certainly not be removed.
Read the writing on the wall Alison. Nobody here thinks she has done anything good for them.
Can you please point out what she has done that has been good for online women other than rip people off who she considered to be small fry.
Hollie has been invited NUMEROUS times to make comment and REFUSES to any kind of communication.
Unfortunately this is the only way to get her attention.
If you have something good to say about her and your experience please do share.
For what it’s worth it has taken many people months and months and months of waiting to finally crack it and complain.
So please – don’t go judging until you know other’s stories and what has brought them to this place.
BTW – she is back in the USA yet STILL OWES PEOPLE THOUSANDS!
That’s just corrupt and morally bankrupt behaviour.
PS. If you think it was only THREE people who were upset and disappointed think again. There are many many many more people who could have given stories and chose not to for fear of how Hollie would behave. Realise that this spreads across Australia and for many women dealing with Hollie has been a nightmare.
When I rang to ask for a receipt and to know when I would go on the website I was told that she was inundated with people wanting to join and that she was struggling to manage the (around) 5000 members that had joined! I commended her on the success of her business and we came to an amicable arrangement. However when I got off the phone and did the math I realised that 5000 members at $80 a pop is around $400,000! Minus the FREE intern I wondered what Hollie was doing with all the money she was clearly making.
Spending it on holidays to the USA it would seem … and certainly not paying the people she owes money to – OR – making sure her members are happy.
Sour grapes. You bet i’ve got sour grapes.
Thanks for doing a thorough exposé on this, as Ms Turner seems to think she can just keep getting away with this kind of behaviour time and again. If she ever gets seriously challenged to pay up (several thousand dollars in a colleague’s case) she does a good double act with her boyfriend Alister Coleman – she plays the innocent while he lays on the legalese in threatening calls and emails (he’s not a lawyer btw). It’s quite amazing she’s been able to keep operating like this for so long.
This is a cautionary tale indeed! Goes to show that you can be very good at talking the talk, but when it comes to running a business, it’s not always a skips amongst the tulips. If you can’t get the model right and you are not a good administrator, you can end up feeling like you are on the Kokoda trail!!! Holly has perhaps bitten off way more than she can chew and in following her PR’s instincts for gaining as much profile as possible, she has also made high profile enemies, the kind that know how to rally their own PR campaign. I would say to Holly to remember who came out best between Bond and Scaife. Bond did the time and today is back on the circuit and feted as a phoenix from the ashes business champion. Scaife ran and was hounded until the day he died. Come home Holly and face the music. Everyone makes mistakes in business – your intentions were good even if your ability to deliver on everything you promised was not.
I have seen the many faces of Hollie Turner in action. There is the ever so sweet Hollie that promises people the world, yet never delivers. I’ve seen the extremely manipulative Hollie who at her worst threatens people with her “I’ll get my lawyer who really isn’t a lawyer (actually my boyfriend on to you” scam. I’ve then seen the poor poor sorry Hollie who pleads her innocence and begs to make amends (but never does)
Unfortunately not only is Hollie a scam, I think her Online Divas business is too. Her and her little minions that follow her preach to women that don’t know any better about the online world.
What I find really funny is that the very core of her business and brand is being online/running a business online, however she has yet to align herself with a web designer and have her own website up.
So you owed people money – but what about the things that didn’t require money, ie. PR that was promised to Penny, the mentoring – these are things you could have done yourself?
I am so glad this has finally been exposed. It’s so unfair that someone like this was getting away with ripping off people.
I too have been burned by Hollie Turner (to the tune of thousands) and know of another business who has also been chasing her for payments. I joined Divas after seeing some really inspiring other women getting involved (and believing the great “talk” that Hollie has) and have been so disappointed ever since. What started out as a really promising concept has turned out to be a poorly executed exercise that has benefited no one but Hollie’s bank account it seems.
Ripping people off like that is just not on.
The idea of women supporting each other to build great online businesses and creating a forum to network, do business and be inspired is, I think, a very good one and a community like this is a much needed resource – shown by the number of women who have signed up!
How can we take a positive out of this situation? It’s great to know that with tools like this forum, we can possibly prevent others from being sucked in and… who knows… maybe a driven, ethical, organised and reliable woman will be inspired to create a community for female online entrepreneurs that actually works for its members?
Hollie is a piece of work, and I should know as I used to live with her! It is the worst experience of my life. She is so fickle with money that she increased the rent the day before I moved in… so I had no choice but to pay more. Then I found out that she was claiming my bedroom as a tax write off for one of her failing companies Sticky Fingers. In fact she had this business with her best friend, who no longer speaks to her because Hollie screwed her over. They went to high school together.
Hollie is a very good talker but has no morals and no heart. Get far far away.
I am so so happy to see that she is being shamed in public. The descriptions of Hollie are so exact it is scary!
Hollie and I had a communications company together until she stole a great amount of money out of our joint account and paid off her morgage. She told me she paid our employees and our rent but when I got back from 10days overseas I found out we were being evicted from our office and two of our staff members were unable to pay their rent.
I could not work with a lying thief so I wanted out. She offered to buy me out of my share of the company and I agreed.
I never got a cent. She promised over and over again to pay me back – I have it in 100’s of emails. I ended up taking here to court but all I got was one payment which was for work I had done for her Pearl PR over two years ago for $7,600.
My lawyers were very expensive but not very good though as they were unable to win anything more for me. I am down over $150,000 so you can imagine how angry I was to see here get away with all this and on top of it be commended for her helping young women in business by NSW Ministers.
This is KARMA! I hope you all get your money back. Do not give up. She does tend to pay those who shout the loudest. Keep screaming.
Good luck!
I lived with Hollie Turner for a brief time as a flatmate (I worked in the same industry as her). What an eye-opening experience. I moved out after just a few months — a few months too late!
Please do not remove your article from the site. This story needs to be aired.
I know of around 10 people that are still chasing money from Hollie and her business Pearl PR (www.pearlpr.com.au).
I am an ex-employee and also ex-client of Hollie’s. After 2 years, I am yet to be paid superannuation and the remainder of my last pay.
Hollie Turner made promises for around 12 months that she would pay, however since then refused to take calls.
I know of another handful of ex employees, freelance journalists, suppliers and an ex-business partner – all chasing money by Hollie.
Be very very careful of this woman. Do not be mislead by her charm. I believe she means well, but has a problem.
If anyone wants to contact me to ask any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on alalryan@gmail.com
Hollie – feel free to get in touch to pay the outstanding payments. Hopefully you will do the right thing by everyone.
BTW and this message is for YOU Hollie. It’s ONLY Defamation if it ISN’T TRUE. So you can stop trying to pull that one. There are many people who clearly can get up in court and show proof of your poor business practice. You won’t win a defamation case with this one as what is being said is true.
Trust me. I’ve already been there and done that and know exactly how hard it is to prove defamation.
It’s only defamation when what is being said can be proved as lies or factually incorrect. Go read your law and get educated on what defamation is and in particular defamation online. Very hard to prove. Very hard to win.
Thank you FedUpDiva.
Hollie Turner has threatened to sue me and Australian Women Online for defamation if we do not remove the article from the website. But as I told Hollie, we will not be removing the article as it is a matter of public interest.
I have asked Hollie Turner to send me a ‘right of reply’ giving her side of the story.
No worries Deborah, I actually have first hand experience of this and it’s extremely hard to prove defamation – in particular online.
The only way to win a defamation case is if you can prove that what has been said isn’t true and therefore has tarnished your reputation unfairly.
Clearly as what has been said is true and has been supported by the victims this case wouldn’t stand a chance in court.
Defamation in particular is one of the hardest things to prove.
Stand by your article, it is of public interest.
I think this all goes to show that there is one thing worse than a good idea not acted upon. It’s a good idea badly executed.
One thing obvious from the start was the sheer potential of online divas. It found an incredible ground swell of enthusiasm and support.
But mismanagement (and that might be the operative word) has brought the business to its knees. The Diva term has never seemed so applicable as in the last 24 hours.
Perhaps the concept can at least live on.
Good luck Clare Lancaster – Someone worthy needed to step into breach. The site looks like what I think we all hoped ODs would be.
(And if you can keep the slutty imagery out of it I’ll be your number one fan)
Hi Deborah – happy to help support your article with any documentation, if it comes down to it.
Someone should write an article like this about all of us female business owners that have been screwed by My Graphic Garden – taken our money and run.
Stick to your guns, Deborah, and don’t let any threats from Hollie dissuade you.
In terms of legal action she doesn’t have a leg to stand on – because your article isn’t defamation, it’s accurate and factual reporting of a story, and both in the story and through the comments you have more than enough to back you up.
Hollie has been noticeably quiet when it comes to offering her own side of that story here. I sincerely hope that ACA runs with this story because it looks like a widely public ‘naming and shaming’ is the only recourse left to the many people Hollie has stung and stolen from.
First of all, thank you Deborah for your courage and integrity. I am happy to help supporting your article anyway I can, too.
However, I agree with “Paradox Graceful” that OnlineDivas concept did have a positive impact on me when it started up. The positive impact OnlineDivas had on us should be kept apart from the unflattering characteristic of Hollie.
From our disappointing encounters with the founder of OnlineDivas, we should learn that we have to be on guard and keep the healthy skepticism alive, no matter how good the concept seems to be.
Our disappointment and loss derived from the series of the incidents evolved around Onlinedivas makes us smarter. It certainly made me wiser I believe.
Unfortunately the system which was made to give “the benefit of doubt” to supposedly unfairly treated individuals gave her an escape route. Her masking and decorating of herself using the influential names and organizations regardless of the initial intentions she might have had also have been working as re-enforcement of her intimidation tactics to keep the victims silent.
Whether she happened to find herself in the position of the strength or calculated everything very well from the beginning, to some extent we were all unaware of the possibility of such an individual to take advantage of our trust, good will.
After reading the series of the posting, I realized that my loss was small compare to some.
Anyway, we are all in this together.
Does anyone know if ACCC knows our cases involving Hollie Turner?
I used to work for Hollie Turner and she is a pathological liar. She didn’t pay my super despite telling me she was and owes me more than $2000 in super that apparently I will never see.
She also did not pay wages to more than 4 of my colleagues who are still chasing money. She stole money out of her business partner’s account while the business partner was overseas, leaving the poor girl without even enough money to catch a cab to the airport!
She owes rent to two landlords we had in the time I worked for her. There were designers, suppliers and others across Sydney and even in Melbourne who did work for her and went unpaid. This girl has no qualms about leaving others unpaid or stepping on their toes in her climb to the top.
Congratulations AWO for running this story and sticking to your guns (rather than folding and suppressing speech like Facebook). The nature of social media runs such that saying negative things about people generally does more harm than good to your own personal reputation. As a result, when the tide turns and the levees break, torrents of stories like this come out.
I too am owed super from Hollie and still have the ATO chasing her. The are still numerous cases lodged with the workplace Ombudsman.
I also have a whole heap of emails of stories just like this that were prepared for a story on a major media portal that never quite got the green light.
Some good lessons in this for all the Diva’s involved – you should always be wary of organisations/ people that aren’t completely open in social media (eg commenting on here) locked twitter streams etc, no blog with open commenting.
As for any “Divas” (I hate that term) looking for any online guidance or advice, I dispense it completely free with no membership for anybody who asks on Twitter @damiendonnelly. Some of the projects I’ve been involved in are http://www.tweetmp.org.au and http://www.u.lasoo.com.au
Good luck to all of those in the “Burnt by Hollie Turner” boat. See the crisitunity and go and achieve great things.
PS – this is ranking 4th for “Hollie Turner”
Crusadergirl: this ATO page has info on what to do if an employer doesn’t pay superannuation on your behalf. http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/Content/86136.htm
In short, a government body, the Fair Work Ombudsman, will take the offender to court on your behalf to reclaim your money.
I went to the first Online Divas function in Melbourne and was most unimpressed.
I learned all I needed to learn from http://www.webwitches.com.au
Nothing seems too much trouble for them 🙂
Jodie C
Those are some great observations in your follow-up article, Deborah. Really very well considered, and anyone launching an online venture would be wise to take careful note of them. There are always lessons to be learned!
But, let’s not pretend that the Online Divas debacle was Hollie’s first transgression of this sort. Hollie appears to have treated employees, contractors and even her own business partners the very same shonky way at Pearl PR.
It seems to me that Online Divas is less about Hollie getting in over her head and more about her carrying out a repeat of unethical and potentially criminal behaviour on a bigger, grander scale… and once again refusing to face the music, trying to cut and run, when things go pear-shaped.
Hi Dan and Crusadergirl – I am an ex- Pearl PR employee and have lost all faith in the work place ombudsman and ATO.
Myself along with many others, are still waiting for the ATO (for unpaid superannuation) and Workplace Ombudsman (for unpaid salary) to come through with the goods from Hollie Turner.
Both organisations appear to have lost interest in these cases. There are at least 5 cases lodged that I am aware of. However, more keep coming out of the wood work.
There are also poor freelancers that have given up.
I have been waiting for 2 years now, since Sep 2007. Good luck!
Alison: if the ATO and Workplace Ombudsman appear to have lost interest in the cases, perhaps it is time to approach the office of the Minister responsible for these agencies. A letter to the Minister will probably be just bounced back to the organisations, BUT will probably be given greater priority than if you just go through the “front door”. Might also be worth cc:ing Verity Firth 😉
Given there’s a large number of people who still appear to be owed money by Pearl PR, there’s a couple of avenues to pursue to recover money owed that haven’t been mentioned. There’s generally a 7 year statute of limitations on claims, so if it’s a substantial amount make sure you take action lest it slip through the net.
If it’s under $10,000 follow the advice here: http://tinyurl.com/ygzjorp:
1) Send a Letter of Demand stating the full amount owing and terms for repayment (e.g. 7 days).
2) If she doesn’t respond, submit a Statement of Claim for the amount owed in the local court. This costs about $90 and you don’t need a lawyer to represent you. She’ll be served the claim by the court and given the chance to contest it. If she doesn;t contest or ignores it, she needs to settle out of court or the Court Sheriff can impound property to the value of the amount owed and auction it off.
If there’s a group of you and its a substantial amount over $10K, you can engage a creditor to act on your behalf – especially if you believe Pearl PR is trading whilst insolvent. There’s detailed info about this here: http://tinyurl.com/yaorgpr
Trading whilst insolvent can be treated as a criminal offence that can attract huge fines and jail terms.
If you believe Pearl PR Pty Ltd (owner of OnlineDivas) is acting improperly in any way, you can submit a complaint to the ASIC at http://tinyurl.com/tl5f
While some people don’t believe Ms Turner has acted maliciously in her dealings with creditors, the length of time she has engaged in this type of behaviour and the number of people involved would lead me to believe otherwise. She does not deserve the benefit of the doubt, nor will she be held accountable by anything other than a firm application of the law.
Actually, I had great success with a situation when I went to my Minister! In fact, my issue was sorted almost immediately – so don’t dishearten… we pay our government to look after us and when our government agencies fail – it’s up to the Ministers to help us. So I agree – go to your Minister.
As for Hollie. I personally don’t think it’s normal behaviour to treat people this way. I actually feel quite sad for her.
Thanks Dan! Will do.
Deb. I have to say i now disagree that Hollie did not set out to rip any one off. Since this fiasco i have sionce been advised that, after receiving my business idea (which I submitted only after asking if the IP was confidential and protected) Hollie launched her own version of my idea being a second-hand high-end designer clothing consignment store! In the competition pitch I provided a booklet of all of the research I had done. She used this to replicate a business for herself – if this isn’t delibertalty ripping off someone’s idea (under the guise of a competition) I don’t know what is!! The site is called http://onlineseller.wordpress.com/ Hollie’s phone number, address and flicker pics are on there!
Apart from being highly unethical – I am sure this is illegal!
I hoped Online Divas would provide support, advice and guidance – couldn’t more the opposite!
Andy and Penny
Of course you’re absolutely right and I certainly didn’t mean to lessen her personal responsibility or the suffering she has caused.
I was just wanting to look at the bigger picture in reference to this topic.
Hi, all.
I did loose some money to a Hollie’s scheme, too. I was hurt from being wronged, felt betrayed and felt embarrassed for misplacing my trust.
I would like to add little bit more to my earlier posting made 3 days ago which was about being on guard, keeping the healthy skepticism alive no matter how good the concept seems to be, and the incidents evolved around Hollie Turner’s businesses will make us smarter not feel smaller.
Here is how I see where we could go from here:
Either we don’t have to forgive or certainly shouldn’t forget what went down around us regarding Hollie Turner. We should pursue what’s rightfully ours, too. But the anger of being wronged shouldn’t hold us back in the bad place the unfortunate incidents occurred regardless of whoever whatever caused them. Because there is no point try to live backwards into our past, certainly no point trying to do that into the bad one.
Also the series of the incidents already had done more than enough damage to our life, already had cost us time, effort, money, and last but not least to our feel of self-worth, esteem and healthy reactive ego.
The last bit of mental side causes self-doubt and being unsure about current and future standing of ourselves to some degrees in many ways which is probably a large part of the source of our anger, too.
It is more practical for most of the people to separate “the life after being wronged by Hollie Turner which should be an empowered new life since we’ve wised-up and survived her wrong doing” away from “doing the right thing for ourselves which is cleaning after the Hollie’s mess” part.
I believe that the both parts are equally important for us to go on with and we can do both as separate things while we power on as smarter, more confident survivors.
So many people seem to be still in terrible pain, I was there, too until I stepped back to find the causes of my pain. It still hurts a little bit, and it will go as I get on with my post Hollie Turner incident life which is my life I look forward to. No need to forgive or forget, and we certainly should pursue what’s rightfully ours. We can do those without scarifying our livelihood and inner peace. As I said before, we are all in this together. None of us should be left behind.
From what I have read there are 2 main issues that are being discussed here
1) Money/product owed to creditors
2) Online Divas business delivering on its business promise
Whilst, I can not comment on the first point because I’m not owed any outstanding money or product from Hollie, I do have an opinion on the second point.
My understanding of Online Divas, is that it is a website set up to facilitate a community where we could share information, insights and experiences between like minded women.
I think I speak for at least a couple of people when I say that Hollie created an environment where we could do exactly that.
Since Online Divas began I now have access to 147 Divas and their contact details should I wish to network or seek advice, 727 members on Facebook group and 90 on Ning to ask questions and get opinions, 354 members on linked in to network with, and access to Hollies Tweets on twitter to find out interesting articles about online businesses.
I have also attended most of Hollie’s events, where I have enjoyed listening to most of the speakers and even if the speaker wasn’t striking a cord with me, I did enjoy the questions and conversations from a very interactive audience. I always walked away with knowing more about online businesses than when I walked in.
Sure, information on the internet is free, but I don’t always have time to spend searching google for information. I’d rather learn from real people, with real advice so I don’t have to reinvent the wheel and would be happy to pay $75 for that privilege. Plus I don’t think I could find the network of people Hollie has created on anyone else’s website.
I’m not a full time online business woman, however one day I do intend to move my blog to an online business and thanks to Hollie I feel I have access to a great network of people who can help me take that next step.
In addition to the above point I must also raise the question, what does Australian Women Online set to gain from a smear campaign on Hollie? I’m sure they would love access to Hollie’s membership, sponsors and endorsements from high ranking Ministers and business women…?
I would like to thank you Deborah for this article.
I’m not a member of Online Diva’s, I’m also not female and i don’t own a business.
My partner and I feel some level of relief knowing that others have also been either tricked, misled and made to feel guilty due to one persons arrogance, ignorance and disgusting treatment of others hardworking money.
I don’t mind airing my very recent issue privately with you Deborah, however my situation is complicated as I’m in the process of finding out the best possible way to retrieve ” misused funds ” owing to me.
thanks again.
In response your comment Kelly, I understand your point of view, I think this is what Deborah was talking about, Online Divas was a good concept but Hollie’s business practice is questionable. If after reading all the comments relating to this article, you choose to work or align yourself with someone like Hollie Turner, then best of luck to you.
Out of all the comments posted, there are only 2 that defend Hollie. Furthermore, if you were Hollie and you thought this article was incorrect, unfair and completely out of character, would you not defend yourself and respond to the right of reply offered by AWO? I certainly would, but then again I have a conscience.
Maybe if you lost money, were conned and were blatantly lied to, you might think differently. I get your point, but a lot of people have been wronged. Besides AWO is not the only outlet that is following Hollie’s story.
Dave – more great advice. An angle not considered until now.
Harrie – your description of feeling betrayed and embarrassed by trusting Hollie, is a widespread sentiment.
Kelly – I can’t express how thankful we are that Australian Women Online has publish this piece in an open forum. Facebook would not allow us to connect, discuss and seek advice on these issues in a social community environment. Hollie should have been shut down 2 years ago when this was first raised to government organisations. Instead, Hollie has (in some ways) been encouraged to continue to offend many more individuals.
Hello,
and thank you to everyone who has stepped forward to illuminate the repulsive truth of this womens behavior. SHE IS A SCAM ARTIST!!! Do not send even your worst enemy her way!
By stepping forward you will hopefully prevent her from damaging other peoples lives in the manner she has possibly damaged yours, and most certainly has mine. So please, if this women has effected you negatively…Now is the time to say so.
I am still picking up the pieces from the professional and personal devastation this women caused me. I feel as though I’ve been in the washing machine spin cycle ever since I met Hollie Turner and get nauseous just thinking about her and her behavior.
Long story short…Hollie moved into the house I live in San Rafael, California. Appearing to be a the very model of a considerate, professional, optimistic person visiting the U.S. to expand her business. She and I developed a friendly rapport. I even lent her my own bed to sleep on because she didn’t have one.
Hollie moved out abruptly and so did my Mac Book Pro!!! I filed a police report immediately but the culprit (I am %100 positive Hollie Turner is responsible for this crime) had already vanished. I attempted to contact her amicably in every possible way for weeks with zero response.
So, using a friends FaceBook account. (She had already blocked me.) I contacted each of her FaceBook friends (THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO RESPOND TO ME) with a plea to help me contact Hollie.
She did! After weeks of phone calls, emails, texts and zero correspondence, she finally contacted me. Just once via email, in the most disingenuous and virulent manner informed me to WATCH OUT, or she would come after me legally on defamation charges.
If a miracle happened…she would give me back my computer. (personal photos, professional research etc…) Realistically…My greatest hope is to prevent Hollie from ruining more lives (and her own) then she already has.
Thank you to anyone who reads this. It is validating to know I’m not the only one to get swept up in the Hollie Turrrrnnnnaaaadooooo…
All the best,
Hana Munay
I think Onlina Divas is a great concept and certainly helped me I didn’t have any problems at all and found the discussions about innovative women and their business ideas and knowledge really helpful.
Emm.
I’d love to hear from Penny and Lisa as to when they actually get repaid. Promise of payment was something that the Ombudsman got for a year before he threatened jail time.
Kelly … or should I say Holly (is this your right of reply)??
Can you not read the writing that is on the wall? It is not just one persons experience here, but many many people’s experience over years and years of dealing with this person.
You stick with Holly, because you’ll be on a very lonely island very soon.
Word spreads very quickly in the online community (which you might now if you were anything more than a part-time dabbler in this arena).
You stick with her and close your eyes to the facts put in front of you.
Afterall, as they say. Ignorance is bliss.
Good luck with that.
In answer to your question Damien, Hollie contacted me offering $250 as she put it, as a “token” payment, after this story was published. To be honest I am dubious about getting the whole amount. We’ll see. Next payment is scheduled for tomorrow.
Hollie are you reading this?
Hi Damian,
Hollie emailed me when this story broke with a link of the second-hand laptop she was bidding on Ebay for me. When entering the compeition (at considerable cost to me – flights to Sydney, accomm, taxis etc) I did not assume the prize would be a second-hand ebay buy.
Still have not sighted it. Hollie also promised to set me up with a online business mentor in the new year.
This is before I found out about her starting an online site using my ‘winning’ concept and hours of research I handed over (after being re-assured the IP was safe because she “was bound by the Divas code of ethics”. I still have all the emails!
Stay tuned…