A new initiative aims to boost the ranks and encourage the growth of women entrepreneurs, especially those coming from the regional and remote areas.
Enterprising ME, a government-funded entrepreneurship program available for free to all women and girls in Australia, is facilitating the monthly sessions from Monday, January 20 to Monday, June 30.
The interactive workshops will cover key topics for budding entrepreneurs, including building a marketing plan, understanding the law, managing finances, raising funds, and protecting IP.
The workshops will also build upon the digital business toolkits written by prominent authors that include children’s performer and business mentor Tina Harris (Lah-Lah on ABC Kids), marketing dynamo Anaita Sarkar, The Mumpreneur Lawyer Davina Borrow-Jones, Legalite’s Marianne Marchesi, and storytelling coach Odette Barry.
Harris, who hosts the first session on 20 January, said that the virtual sessions would make it easier for women across Australia to access free business support on a raft of key topics, no matter where they lived.
“If you are dreaming of starting or growing your business in 2025, these sessions will give you the building blocks to set yourself up for success,” she said. “They are created by women, for women, and cover the essentials you need to know when starting a business.”
According to recent estimates, women make up as little as 13 per cent of entrepreneurial activity in regional areas. Related research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures revealed that about 33 per cent of women running businesses live in regional and remote Australia and are facing unique challenges in setting up businesses – including access to resources and support networks.
The launch of the sessions also coincides with the recent release of Enterprising ME’s Decadal Plan, which aims to supercharge female entrepreneurship with a simple framework to help corporations, governments, social enterprises and advocacy groups level the playing field for women.
Enterprising ME Director Fleur Anderson said the new sessions were part of a concerted drive by the program to transform the business landscape and boost the ranks of female founders.
“We know it can be challenging for women to access the resources and support they need to start their own business, whether juggling family responsibilities with work, living in a remote community or lacking the confidence to take the first step,” Anderson said.
“That’s why we are bringing the experts to women across Australia in the new Enterprising ME digital toolkit sessions. Women in regional and rural communities face even more challenges to get a business off the ground and we hope these sessions will be both useful and inspiring,” she added.
Enterprising ME is funded under the Australian Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program and delivered in partnership with COSBOA.
