Socially sharing business ideas and expertise

WHEN Dorothy Krajewski discovered the professional women in her networks wanted to connect in an informal space, Ballarat Business and Coffee was born.

An environment for women who own a business to meet and chat over a cuppa, the group gets together once a month, and is currently transitioning to online video hangouts.

Ms Krajewski said the community is welcoming and informal, where people in diverse areas of commerce can personally grow.

“Attendance at each meeting varies, but it’s good because you never know who you will meet or what you will learn from each other,” she said.

“The relationships I’ve made have been really valuable for me and for the women in the group. We’ve had collaborations emerge as a result.”

Ballarat Business and Coffee not only encourages socially supportive teamwork, it’s a safe space to throw around ideas, and gain advice and information from those who face similar challenges day-to-day.

“If we’re having an issue, we’ll put it out there. People bring questions to the group all the time and ask what the others love or what they hate,” Ms Krajewski said.

“We all have such different experiences and backgrounds. We’re not all thinking the same things, so it’s been great to get different ideas.”

Three women enjoyed the first digital meeting last week, which was successful and “intimate.”

“I’m a single mum and I only have teenagers to speak to during the day, so it was great to see some adult faces and have an adult conversation,” Ms Krajewski laughed.

“There’s a burden with what’s going on… Not only are women in primary carer situations, most of the time, they have to work and supervise their children’s online learning.

“If we don’t reach out to each other, keep that personal contact, and talk about what’s going on, we can end up feeling isolated, alone and depressed, which isn’t good for anyone.”

Visit ballaratbusinessandcoffee.com.au.