JOIN THE CLUB: Taking care of women’s business

Business on the Bellarine Peninsula is booming, if the numbers at Bellarine Business Women is anything to go by.
Founder Sarah Valentine says membership of the business networking group has tripled in just over a year.
“There was no real networking opportunity for the Bellarine as a whole,” Sarah explained.
“Individual towns had their own groups and associations but this is an opportunity for businesswomen from Barwon Heads to Portarlington.
“There’s nothing else like it, which is why it has been so well-received by women in business.
“Our members are mums at home starting up micro-businesses right through to women managing large retail outlets.
“It’s a real cross section, with health practitioners, financial services, everyone from dog walkers to principals in accounting firms.
“I’ve been really surprised at range and depth of businesses that call the Bellarine home.”
Sarah admitted that starting the group was a leap in the dark.
“I didn’t know how many would turn up but now each month an average of four new people walk in the door to our regular events.”
The group hosts monthly networking events and quarterly lunches, usually with a featured guest speaker.
Members also have an opportunity to participate in business development workshops, offering tools and resources to advance business goals.
“We found that many women in business are great at what they do but not as great at the fundamentals of running a business,” Sarah said.
Landscape gardener Helen Melville is a case in point.
Helen said one of her goals in establishing her Evolving Gardens landscape gardening and horticultural design business was to take small groups on international garden tours.
The Bellarine group introduced her to members of Drysdale Harvey World Travel agency, who were helping her organise tours next year.
“A lot of women work from home and run a small business, so our group helps them identify others in the same boat and overcome that sense of isolation,” Sarah said.
Sarah said more information about the group was available by phoning her on 0412 199 467 or visiting bellarinebusinesswomen.com.au.