Small Business Connect - Indigenous Business Month Edition
October is Indigenous Business Month. This year’s theme is Actions Today, Impact Tomorrow, recognising the power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s contribution and aiming to inspire the next generation of First Nations business owners and leaders.
You can find out more about Indigenous Business Month by visiting www.indigenousbusinessmonth.com.au, and here for more on Actions Today, Impact Tomorrow.
In this article:
- First Nations Training Strategy - Paving the Way
- What does Indigenous Business Month mean to you?
- Supporting Indigenous business in workforce planning
- Indigenous business procurement - If not, why not?
- Good news stories
- Key dates and resources
Paving the way to better training and skills for First Nations peoples
This Indigenous Business Month is a timely opportunity to focus on Paving the Way – First Nations Training Strategy.
The $8.3 million Strategy announced last month in the Torres Strait, supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to develop skills relevant to local needs. The Strategy includes funding for Indigenous-led training pathway opportunities and aims to build cultural awareness skills and competency in local workplaces.
Some actions under Paving the Way include:
- one-on-one mentoring and coaching for Indigenous business owners and operators
- support for non-Indigenous business owners to build cultural capability and establish culturally safe workplaces
- delivering a new Indigenous Workforce and Skills Development Grant program to fund community designed and led projects
- funding of a targeted project to improve school to work transitions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- improved access for First Nations peoples to training pathways that meet local employment needs.
For more information or to read the full strategy, visit: www.desbt.qld.gov.au/first-nations-training.
What does Indigenous Business Month mean to you?
So what does this year’s theme mean to you?
We asked Indigenous business leaders what this year’s theme means to them.
We hear from Kathryn Potter, founder and proud Kamilaroi woman of Physiotherapy Innovations, which is a FirstNations business and a huge advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
We also chatted to Sheryl Batchelor who is a proud Kunja woman and founder of Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation – she’s passionate about neuroplasticity and the positive effects it has on people who have been through adversity.
Visit the Advance Queensland website to find out what they had to say.
Supporting Indigenous business in workforce planning
Indigenous Business Month celebrates the growing number of successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses delivering high-quality, value for money products and services across all sectors in Queensland.
Now is a great time to think about planning for the future of your business.
Jobs Queensland recognises the challenges facing small business across Queensland, including growing your business, adapting to change, and employing and managing people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners of all sizes and across all industries can access a raft of free Workforce Planning Connect tools and resources to allow you to take some practical next steps to support your workforce planning goals.
This could include helping you to become an employer for the first time or invest in growing your existing workforce.
These tools may also help some business owners look to diversify, change their business model, and consider succession planning.
For more information about how Jobs Queensland can support you and your workforce planning journey, visit www.jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/wpc.
Indigenous business procurement - If Not, Why Not?
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has committed to creating sustainable social, environmental, and economic opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their businesses through the delivery of the Queensland Transport Road Infrastructure Program.
To increase awareness and promote First Nations procurement during Indigenous Business Month, TMR has launched a new campaign 'If Not, Why Not?'.The campaign is centred around a simple but powerful idea – if you need to procure goods or services, consider inviting an Indigenous Business.
TMR’s General Manager Indigenous Strategy Bill Lansbury talks to Director-General Neil Scales about 'If Not, Why Not?' and their collaborations with Indigenous communities across Queensland and work preserving the cultural and spiritual lands of the First Nations peoples in a short video.
To find out more click here or scan the QR code below:
Good news stories
The Queensland Government has a range of grants and programs that support Indigenous businesses to start, grow and employ.
Read on to learn more about some of our success stories.
Back to Work
Back to Work (BTW) is a program focusing on providing financial and non-financial support for jobseekers, employers and their employees who identify from one of the following groups: Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples; youth (ages 15-24 years); people with a disability; and long-term unemployed people.
Business owner Susannah Sailor was looking for someone to help with her business St Paul’s Lodge, a six-bedroom motel and café located on Moa Island (Torres Strait Islands). In December 2021 through the BTW program, Susannah employed Keisha Don as an all-rounder to help her in the motel and café operations.
Susannah said Keisha relocated to the island to take on the role and is learning the ropes and what is required to run a motel, assisting with housekeeping and working in the café.
“Keisha is an excellent worker and is great at communicating with all the guests who come to stay at St Paul’s Lodge,” said Susannah.
“Without the support of BTW, I would not have been able to employ Keisha, and the funding received through the BTW Incentive Payment has assisted in funding Keisha’s wages, uniforms and personal protective equipment.”
Mentoring for Growth
The Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program offers eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts who provide tailored insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities being experienced by the business.
Kunarkoo iSolutions is a family-owned First Nations small business providing social media and virtual administration across the Top End of Australia from the Pilbara region of Western Australia through to Far North Queensland. Their M4G session focused on fee structures, partnership opportunities and marketing strategies.
Business owner Tiareupitahi Kelsall said that the session, “…was such an informative, straight talking, inspirational 45 minutes and I have put aside time to launch my branding material over the weekend. Thank you again for the links and the references. I look forward to gleaning from them”.
Key dates
Destination IQ - Wednesday 2 November
You’re invited to join industry at Queensland’s premier First Nations tourism conference, Destination IQ, on 2 November at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Be in the room when First Nations tourism takes the stage and hear from industry-leading presenters. Now is the time to unlock the growing consumer demand for cultural experiences, and to deepen relationships and understandings in the tourism sector.
Secure your place and purchase your seats here.
Join us at the Growing Queensland Roadshow
The Queensland Government’s 2022 Growing Queensland Business Roadshow is an opportunity to connect with representatives from your local council and state government, as well as get practical tips and information on government tendering, greening your business and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It doesn’t matter if you are an existing government buyer or supplier, or if you’re looking to become one. This is a roadshow event for all Queensland businesses.
To book your FREE ticket today, simply jump online to see the full program of activities and register for the roadshow.
Free and confidential 30-minute mentoring sessions are also available where you can talk freely with experienced Mentoring for Growth business mentors about challenges or issues you may be facing in your business and get some real-world ideas, insights and tips. In these sessions you can discuss topics such as, doing business with government, finance and cashflow, growth strategies, marketing and sales, business development and human resources. See the mentoring registration details below.
We recommend booking your mentoring session early.
Upcoming Indigenous Business Month events
Find out about the many workshops and events on offer throughout Indigenous Business Month on the Business Queensland events calendar.
If you are organising any Indigenous Business Month related events that will benefit other businesses, you can submit an event to be considered for the calendar.
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