Women’s business program a Stepping Stone to success

THE Stepping Stones to Small Business program is providing entrepreneurial support to the Central Highlands and Grampians regions’ intercultural women.

Facilitated by Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Ballarat regional coordinator, Deborah Klein said Stepping Stones is about developing confidence, recognising capacities, abilities and strengths, and building a foundation of small business skills.

“It’s primarily for women of migrant and asylum seeker backgrounds, but we also have provisions to support women over 50 of any background, because they find it difficult to get gainful employment,” she said.

“Many women have an array of responsibilities with families, work, some have qualifications, some don’t, some are community leaders, and many don’t have great English or digital literacy.

“It’s an opportunity to explore business ideas they might have, and test those in a very supportive group of women. It becomes a safe place to share ideas, anxieties and stories.”

Over five weeks, facilitators run an empowerment stream which builds networks, confidence and strength recognition, and for the next 10 weeks, Small Business Victoria lectures and runs workshops.

“They present on skills like financial literacy, regulations and licences, understanding rental agreements and legal implications, communication and marketing, and small business research,” Ms Klein said.

“We also work with the women to develop a business plan. Ideally, by the end of the 15 weeks, they’ll have an idea of what they want to do, or may want to alternatively skill-up and seek employment.”

Nyibol Deng’s textile business, A Tuk, has gone from strength to strength since she was involved with Stepping Stones.

Developing a business mindset, her brand has settled upstairs at the Ballarat Welcome Centre.

“Coming to Stepping Stones, I didn’t know where to start, but it gave me all the ideas I needed to know about where to go and what to do, especially the legal part of business,” she said.

“Stepping Stones has some of the best people you can learn from. They make it possible. I love learning new things and meeting people who want to support us.

“I’m grateful that the Welcome Centre has donated this space for A Tuk. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible to have a community space, I’d just do it at home.”

Joy Sawiche Juma is a champion of women in enterprise on the BRMC board. Initiatives like Stepping Stones are a priority for the agency.

“It’s important. It’s reached out to lots of migrant women who don’t have access to such a program,” she said.

“Women, where English is not their first language, are still understanding what is being said when they’re being mentored and assisted in a clear way.

“It’s made these women confident. It doesn’t matter what our language is or where we come from, we have an opportunity and we can do it. It’s for you and me.”

Stepping Stones is a free program that runs during school hours, and attendees have access to free child minding on premises.