Regional Women in Business Program

Click these links to download the 2008 Regional Mentoree Application Form [248 KB];  or download the 2008 Regional Mentor Application Form [256 KB].

Do you operate a small business in regional NSW and do you want to take full advantage of its potential?

If the answer is "yes", then this is your chance to be part of an exciting program for women business operators in regional NSW.

Join a group of businesswomen in your area and learn practical business strategies, network and improve your business success.

Participation in the Women in Business Regional Program offers many benefits, including:

• opportunities to develop business skills;
• tips and advice from experienced business people on how to manage and grow a business;
• the chance to explore options to reduce costs and attract new business;
• an understanding of business assistance and support available locally;
• the development of local business networks.

The Program runs over three months and  requires a maximum of 35 hours of time.

The Program involves three full-day or six 

Allyson Cox delivering a workshop for the Mid-North Coast Business Advisory Service Photo taken by Coffs Coast Advocate

half-day business skills workshops, two networking events and a minimum of three small group mentoring sessions.  The cost of the Program is $165 (including GST).

The Program benefits businesswomen who:

• operate a small business in one of the nominated regions;
• draw at least 50 per cent of their income from the business;
• have been in business between one and five years;
• are serious about achieving commercial success.

Sophie Czerwaniw - Kalamazoo Kidz, Gosford Kalamazoo Kidz, owned by Sophie Czerwaniw of Gosford, sells armchairs, couches and wooden furniture designed specifically for toddlers and young children. "The Women in Business Regional Program has been an amazing journey for me, both professionally and personally," Sophie said. "I now operate out of a fully-co-ordinated home office, much to the delight of my family," she said. After completing the Program, Sophie recognised the importance of working on her business not just in it. "The Women in Business Regional Program helped me understand the importance of outsourcing some of the necessary business services. "I now have more structure, more confidence and find decision making much easier," she said. For more information visit www.kalamazookidz.com.au. Janet Hay, Curves, Broken Hill Janet Hay was managing a company that helped people buy regional properties when she signed up for the Women in Business Regional Mentor Program in Broken Hill. Janet said the positive experience with the Program encouraged her to take on a franchise with the Curves fitness group. "Curves is a women's gym and the Program inspired me.   Women motivate each other," Janet said. Before the end of the Program, Janet had hired 11 new staff to work at Curves Broken Hill.

Results

Rachelle Millingen, Bellicious-Mentoree

In 2006, 167 women graduated from the Women in Business Regional Program at six locations.  At the end of the Program:

• 100 per cent improved growth strategies for their business;
• 100 per cent increased their overall business;
• 100 per cent increased their access to business networks;
• 45 per cent increased their turnover;
• 27 per cent hired new staff.

For more information on the Women in Business  Regional Program, contact:

Manager, Women in Business
NSW Department of State and Regional Development
GPO Box 5477, Sydney NSW 2001
Phone:  9338 6750
Email:  first@business.nsw.gov.au

Program Providers

Clarence Valley/Grafton
Provider:  Adult Community Education
Phone:  6622 1903
Email:  info@acenorthcoast.com.au

Hastings/Port Macquarie
Provider:  Hastings Businesswomen's Network Inc
Email:  info@hbwn.com.au

Any personal information provided to the Department is voluntary and protected by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW).  The information is important for improving our services.  The information may be used to send you communications about business-related activities such as newsletters, flyers and invitations.  Please click here for more information on our privacy policy.

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