SisterWorks Completes Inaugural Micro & Small Business Empowerment Program
SisterWorks Completes Inaugural Micro & Small Business Empowerment Program
The inaugural SisterWorks Micro & Small Business Empowerment Program mission has just graduated its first class. This class saw 13 Sisters graduate, all of whom are starting or enhancing their own businesses. Three Sisters are also now a part of the SisterWorks Shop of entrepreneurs.
The program is designed to help migrant and refugee women to overcome barriers to meaningful employment by helping them create jobs for themselves. The objective of the program is to give these women the foundational knowledge to become entrepreneurs or small business owners.
The program provided our Sisters business literacy and confidence in starting or growing their own businesses. The course structure mimicked mainstream, pre-accelerator programs with a specific focus on micro grassroots businesses and audiences.
The program provided four service pathways for Sisters:
- 1:1 mentoring services, with each Sister mentored up to 6 months to help them post program
- A business service support directory
- Opportunities with SisterWorks Social Enterprise shop
- Networks and programs outside of SisterWorks.
The first six weeks of the program focused on helping Sisters build and understand the basics of starting a business. Final weeks had outside experts from a variety of sectors (legal, accounting, marketing, sales, etc) sharing expertise, knowledge and networking opportunities with the class.
The last day was a pitch day to further build Sisters’ confidence, where they were empowered to use all their learning and present their business ideas to a group of three judges and guests – fulfilling the pathways that have been presented
‘I learnt a lot, even considering I’ve already started my business. It helped me realise what I’m doing wrong and how to fix it. I think having mentors during the process of building a business is really important, and it’s amazing that Sisterworks provides this service for free.’ Sofia Canavati – recent Micro & Small Business Empowerment Program graduate.
SisterWorks is looking for partners or donors that will offer grants and/or services in future program terms to help our Sisters kick start their businesses. For more information about our Micro & Small Business Empowerment Program, visit our website.
