Five local women are a step closer to achieving their business goals after being awarded Business Accelerator Scholarships.
Tamara Shaw, Nichole Chambers, Terri Wilby, Jessica Kerr and Simone Araujo Gugliandolo have been selected to take part in the 12-month long Business Accelerator Program to turn their business dream into a reality.
Business in Heels scholarships are valued at more than $3000 and sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong.
The program aims to help women start trading and making sales as quickly as possible so they can become self-sustaining. Participants learn with the support of mentors to develop a business plan, turn leads into referrals, establish their small business and create social media and pricing strategies.
The scholarship features an online course, regular group sessions and 24/7 access to trainers. Business name and domain registration, website development and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system training is also included.
Local business owner Thilini Herath from Flores Cakes was a Business Accelerator Scholarship recipient with Business in Heels last year.
“Before I joined the program, I didn’t know anything about how to start or run a small business, but the program was fantastic in helping me to understand the ABCs of business,” she said.
“The program offers round the clock support that I haven’t had from anywhere else and whether the question was big or small, the team was always happy to help guide me.
“My message to women new to the business world would be to follow your heart and not give up, talk to mentors and get support from resources like Business in Heels – because you can be successful.”
Only women located in the Geelong municipality were eligible to apply for the Business Accelerator Scholarship.
