Business Mentoring Program

SEEKING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS FOR AN EXCITING BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAM

An innovative Business Mentoring Program, based in Byron Bay, is looking for young business owners to take part in an exciting initiative aimed at developing local businesses.

The project is aimed at young small business owners/managers from the region who have been in business for at least one year and can identify a business challenge they would like assistance with.

The ‘Young Entrepreneurs Business Mentoring Program’ is a partnership between NSW Trade & Investment and ACE Community Colleges.

The program will focus on business planning, financial management and marketing, both on and offline. Each business will receive 5 x 3 hour workshops, 10 hours of mentoring focussing on their individual business needs, plus networking tips and sessions.

“The most exciting thing about this program is that it is specifically targeted at young entrepreneurs in the early stages of developing their business. The benefits of having a mentor to guide you through those early stages of business growth are invaluable’ says Gillian Jones of ACE Community Colleges.

“We are really lucky to have this program in the Northern Rivers. Only 2 programs were given the go-ahead in NSW, this one and another one being run in Sydney” she said.

The program is being run by ACE Community Colleges, and will be funded by NSW Department of Trade & Investment as part of their Business Mentoring Program and continuation of their support for Northern Rivers based businesses. There are limited spaces and there will be a small fee payable by the successful participants.

Gillian said “this is our fifth mentoring program and we have found the outcomes in terms of confidence and knowledge of running a small business can be life-changing for the participants. Many young people starting a new business find it difficult to integrate their business idea with the reality of making money. By gaining more knowledge of basic business principles it helps to enhance the creative process”. 

Wayne Webster is a surfboard shaper living in Lennox Head. He has been shaping and riding his own boards for over 20 years and 18 months ago set up his own workshop in Ballina to build the Webster business. Wayne sees the benefits of mentoring to his business having taken part in a previous mentoring program. “The mentoring really helped me and my business. I’m passionate about surfing and shaping and have some very loyal customers”. He said “I know how to make a good board but needed to know more about the business and financial side of things. It’s given me real insight into my business and has helped me launch Webster Surfboards”.

The Young Entrepreneurs Business Mentoring Program is open to Northern Rivers based business owners aged 18-35 who have been operating for at least one year, and are able to identify a business challenge they need assistance with.

The program will take place in Byron Bay commencing March 2012. Places are limited.

To apply to be part of the program contact Belinda Green at the NSW Dept of Trade and Investment on 02 6622 6145 or email belinda.green@business.nsw.gov.au 

To enrol and pay online click here