Women from Greater Geelong and the Bellarine will be able to learn how to set up, establish and build sustainable businesses thanks to a scholarship program.
Five women starting a new business and five looking to grow an existing business were awarded Business Accelerator scholarships with Business in Heels, sponsored by the City of Greater Geelong.
Darling Pea Garden Care’s Marie Walker said “it was very surreal” to receive the scholarship and that she looked forward to enhancing her business knowledge.
“Starting out a small business is quite daunting, and you’ve often got all your eggs in one basket,” she said.
“I have the skillset where I can communicate with people and do a range of tasks, but the scholarship will help me safely have a business.
“There’s a lot of stuff you don’t see when you’re starting a small business and it’s important to understand what marketing really means and then how to action it.”
The scholarship recipients included wedding photographer Hannah Lawicki (née Millerick), clinical nutritionist Quill Howard, wellness consultant Octavia Chabrier, and Waste Free Events’ Jess Hobbs.
Complete K9 Training’s Elly Mirkovic, Digi Media Hive’s Laura Heywood, Pink Ocean Virtual Solutions’ Mariana Gaona Lopez, Sensitive Support Services’ Sam Searle, and Enjoy the Moment Pop Up Picnics’ Maria Prusac were also awarded the scholarship.
Business in Heels chief executive Lisa Sweeney said the scholarship winners would participate in a 12-month course to help refine a target market, promotion or pricing model to become more profitable.
“We will support these women by arming them with critical business knowledge to build a profitable business with staying power,” she said.
“The comprehensive Business Accelerator program includes lessons, workshops and mentoring designed to set these businesswomen up for success.”
