A LinkedIn Local event has attracted some of Darwin’s most innovative entrepreneurs to receive professional headshots and network with small business promoters. More than 30 sole-traders, micro-business owners and future start-ups accessed information about fully-funded programs and support to build their self-employment dreams.
My Pathway, Business Station and Territory Proud co-hosted the event, which was designed to help entrepreneurs update their public profiles ahead of October Business Month (OBM). Attendees received a free headshot and a tutorial on taking business pictures.
My Pathway Program Manager, Janet McIntyre, said networking was particularly important for small or newly-established businesses.
“Running your own business can be lonely work. We try to provide regular opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with each other and the many support programs available to them,” she said.
“If you have plenty of people and services in your network, you have a greater chance of overcoming challenges and achieving business success. Self-Employment Assistance, Entrepreneurship Facilitators and numerous online business networks offer tools and guidance for businesses to flourish and owners to feel supported.”
Business Station Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Dante St James, said the event had enabled a diverse group of entrepreneurs to access information they would not usually come across.
“In just one event, we met fresh graduates wanting to know how to set up contracting businesses, newly-arrived migrants seeking information on how to start new businesses and full-time employees at the start of their journey to beginning a side-business,” he said.
“It’s a great outcome to be able to match such diverse people with Entrepreneurship Facilitators like myself, or business support options provided through Self-Employment Assistance.”
My Pathway and Business Station collaborate daily to bring the best self-employment services to people in the Darwin and Alice Springs regions. Their services are mostly government-funded and some participants may be eligible for an allowance while they initiate a business.
Ocea Eco Spa owner, Krystie La Pia, said self-employment support had been a must for her business and helped her financially and emotionally.
“The event was a great way to network. My Pathway has supported me throughout my business journey, and I was interested to meet other participants in a similar position,” she said.
“Self-Employment Assistance has helped me significantly. I had a really responsive mentor who was there to talk out problems, offer advice and consistently be there rooting for my success.
“The financial support provided security and made some of the difficult weeks easier. It reduced the risk associated with starting a new business.”
Krystie’s Ocea Eco Spa has been operating for nine months and received support from My Pathway Self-Employment Assistance. She has been invited to an upcoming roundtable with the Federal Ombudsman for Small and Family Business, recognising her achievements as an entrepreneur and commitment to the small business sector.
Self-Employment Assistance and Entrepreneurship Facilitators delivered as part of Workforce Australia, which is a fully-funded initiative of the Australian Government.