MARGI Cousins co-founded Ballarat Business Women in 2008 to close a gap, having seen a \u201croom of grey suits\u201d at each network event she attended.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a male-dominated space, but as a senior executive required to work in business development, growth, networking and marketing to get a brand out, I was sometimes the only female in the room,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe realised that there were a great many women at that point breaking into the same roles with no idea how to, and it takes a great deal of confidence to step out when you\u2019re starting out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe launched Ballarat Business Women to nurture, mentor and grow women in business, and give them the opportunities to learn in a user-friendly atmosphere, and it worked.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now driving more memberships, Ms Cousins has been chair of the registered not-for-profit for all but one of its 13 years, and is encouraging women to connect.<\/p>\n
With at least 700 people on their mailing list, she said the group \u201ccrosses every spectrum\u201d of enterprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom self-employed women, to contractors, senior executives, owners and directors. From makeup artists to massage therapists… We don\u2019t discriminate, and you could even be retired and a member.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey hold so many skills, have so much to offer, and we recognise that sometimes there\u2019s a void when working women retire. The generosity of people in that space is incredible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re actively seeking new members to bring that additional skillset. Anybody can come along, everybody has something to offer and it\u2019s valued.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hosting functions to meet the needs of as many members as possible, the network has regular breakfasts, morning teas, lunches, after work drinks, and now virtual events.<\/p>\n
Ms Cousins said women may not see the group have an instant impact on their business, but they will notice the \u201cripple effect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe give them the chance to promote themselves and what they do, the ripples in the pond go out, and then things start to happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re generating a two-way street. It\u2019s not just about what you get from the group, it\u2019s about what you can contribute,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome form friendships with other members and use them as a sounding board for business issues, they brainstorm with each other, or vent, mentor and nurture each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat Business Women are approached to offer a voice to regional development or local government issues.<\/p>\n
The group is hosting an upcoming Mother\u2019s Day networking event in May. Women are welcome to attend one or two events to see if the network suits them, before a membership is encouraged.<\/p>\n