Regional women in business scholarship launched
A new regional scholarship and mentoring program is set to empower women into start-up businesses, thanks to two Mid North women keen to encourage others to pursue their business dreams.
Cassie Fuller from Gleeson Collective workspace in Clare and Jamestown’s Kelly Kelly Legal director and principal solicitor Kelly Kelly are the masterminds behind the StartHer initiative.
Both have first-hand experience in taking the plunge into starting a regional business, and they are passionate about encouraging other women to “have a go”.
“It’s an idea that was bubbling away in my mind for a little while and it was through some work I was doing with a business mentor myself that gave me the push to go ahead with the idea,” Cassie said.
“I approached Kelly and she was immediately on-board.
“It’s something I’m passionate about for regional areas because we want to have services in the regions.
“I know a lot of women with really great ideas, great training behind them, and skillsets that are being underutilised.
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“It’s about having the confidence to take that next step and start a business and progress with your great idea.”
The StartHer Scholarship will provide one woman, either already in business or looking to start a business, with a 12-month membership to a permanent hot desk at the Gleeson Collective workspace in Clare.
The prize also includes 12 months of mentoring from Kelly and Cassie along with Tim Davies from the Clare Media digital marketing agency.
“I feel really strongly about helping regional women get off the ground with their business ideas,” Kelly said.
“Having started a business myself, I know that two of the biggest challenges for women – or any business person – when they start a business, the overheads can be prohibitive in getting their idea off the ground.
“The concept of a hot desk means it will reduce overheads for somebody while they find their feet.
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“Secondly, social isolation in small business or as a sole trader is very real. They are often working from home and juggling things or very alone, whereas the hot desk concept and the environment at Gleeson Collective means the successful candidate will have instant work colleagues that they can bounce ideas off.”
Each of the mentors brings different skills and experience, and Kelly said their first-hand experience in starting a small business would provide valuable insight.
“If I’d had that when I first started my business, I would have been very grateful,” Kelly said.
“Most small businesses fail in the first couple of years, so our intent it to help the candidate thrive and do what they love without the usual constraints.
“We’re trying to take the pressure off and help them really focus on their idea and bringing that to life.”
Cassie and Kelly encouraged all women in the Clare Valley and Mid North area to just “have a go” at both applying for the scholarship and taking the leap into small business.
“Kelly aligns with me in that we just want to see someone come out at the end of the scholarship with an amazing, thriving business so they can contribute to the region,” Cassie said.
“We really encourage women to apply, don’t hold back, just give it a go.
“We both come with experience of starting a business in a rural area, we have been there and in that situation where, when you’re starting out, you’re doubting yourself a lot.
“For anyone looking to launch a business next year or is new to business, who wants to be in a community office environment, to propel themselves and their business further and be around like-minded people to start the ball rolling in your business journey, then we encourage you to apply.”
Applications for the inaugural StartHer Scholarship open on October 1, 2024, and close at the end of November.
