You have to work hard to get on in life and in business -- this is the message from two senior members of the financial community who addressed a gathering of Women in International Trade in Hamilton.

The two women, Anne Kast and Antoinette Bolden, both spoke of the importance of a good education and values such as integrity as key in the struggle to get ahead.

Mrs. Kast, who runs Kast Investments, said: "Success is 80 percent perspiration, 20 percent inspiration. How true. There is no free lunch. I got where I am today through work, work and more work. Long hours, sacrifice and constantly fighting uphill battles. Is it worth it? Yes to me it is. Others may not see it that way.'' Mrs. Bolden, executive vice-president of Directrade, said she decided when she was 14 she wanted to be a chartered accountant, and has worked her way towards that goal ever since.

Mrs. Bolden, who is now 36, said she has her MBA and chartered accountancy exams, but added: "An education does not owe you the right to success. You sill have to have the hard work, and you still have to have integrity.'' Mrs. Kast outlined her ten steps to success: Education, staying power, managing milestones such as marriages, divorces, etc., having financial security, forward planning, make sure you have the ability to bounce back, look after yourself and your health, always seek advice - from friends, a mentor, an advisor, keep your integrity, and last but not least, work hard.

"If someone asked me what was the best advice someone ever gave you, I would have to quote something my father used to tell me. Be able to land on your feet after adversity and keep on going. We all get hit with bad things and make mistakes - big ones.

"There is no immunity. To me the trick is in the recovery. Some people just can't seem to get back on track after a bad experience. They let the problem dog them and keep them from moving on to better times. I accept my shortcomings, try to learn from them and then forgive myself.'' Financial security was also, according to Mrs. Kast, vital as it allowed flexibility. She told the room full of businesswomen: "Do you have credit card debt? Have you traded in your six-year-old car for an expensive new one? Have you used your savings to re-model your home? "I have always been a saver first, spender second and I have always lived beneath my means. Being in the money business I get a first hand view of how people spend their money and it is sometimes shocking.

"For working class people, such as ourselves, there is only one way to accumulate wealth: save and invest. Set aside the savings up front each month and spend the rest.

"Put the savings in investments you have researched and are comfortable with.

Repeat again next month and each subsequent month until you retire. There is no easy way to accumulate wealth, no shortcuts.'' But she added it was all worth nothing without integrity. "There is no middle ground here. In my business trust is everything. You have to do the right thing by all people all the time - clients, staff, shareholders, suppliers friends, family, everyone. People can say what they want about me, but I don't want anyone to ever be able to say Anne Kast had any dishonest dealings with them.'' Mrs. Bolden told the audience that her family and Christianity were great motivators in her life and given her the ability and strength to go forward.

She also emphasised the need to embrace change: "Be comfortable with it and take advantage of it.

"So many people are committed to their own personal beliefs, that they go ahead and do something that is not right. What worked yesterday may not work today. Your ego should not be so large that it touches everything you do.'' Mrs. Bolden also stressed that having time off was important for a happy and fruitful life.

Women executives say work is their secret for success "Some of my best ideas have come from taking time out, in a restaurant, in a spa. You have time to wind down, time to think and come out refreshed, rejuvenated.'' She also advised not to take yourself too seriously and allow yourself to laugh at yourself, but most of all she said you have to have a passion about what you do.

"Don't chose any career and say, hey, I'm gonna make a lot of money. If you love what you do, money and success will follow.

"I love what I do. I love waking up in the morning as much on a working day as I do on holiday.

"How did I get where I got today? Hard work, that is definitely an element, but also a lot of other things, such as being a Christian and having a loving family.

"I like where I am, I like where I am going. I am passionate and totally fulfilled.'' Top of their game: Anne Kast (right) and Antoinette Bolden says long hours and hard work are responsible for their success.

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