Ipswich young female entrepreneurs join Queensland virtual world café

Ipswich’s young female entrepreneurs can discuss their main challenges today (Thursday) when they attend a virtual world café being held concurrently in six locations across Queensland.

The virtual world café will use video-conferencing in collaboration spaces in Ipswich, Brisbane’s CBD, Wynnum, Toowoomba, Mackay and Cairns.

Ahead of a visit to Ispwich this morning, Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government recognises and appreciates the valuable contribution women in business make to the state’s economy.

“Supporting women in business is a core component of our $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy,” Ms Enoch said.

“The world virtual café is taking a unique approach to understand more about the needs of young women in business and to identify opportunities to support and enable them.

“Outcomes from the virtual café will be used to help the Palaszczuk Government better support and enable young women in business.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to raise issues they find challenging, and hear from established female business owners who have been through the tough years of starting a business and are keen to share their experiences.”

Ipswich host Chad Renando brings over 25 years’ experience managing manufacturing companies, digital agencies, providing executive coaching, and mentoring early-stage startups.

As community manager for Fire Station 101, Chad combines his passion for social outcomes with building local businesses for global scale.

“We are excited about what the virtual world café can do to build capability and opportunities for female entrepreneurs,” Mr Renando said.

“Startup activity has grown significantly in Ipswich, with two new innovation hubs engaging with over 200 entrepreneurs in the past 18 months.

“While these communities allow anyone to give it a go, females are historically under-represented in founder and CEO roles.

“Dedicated initiatives like Advancing Women in Business are critical to build capability and provide valuable networks to help female founders in regional areas.”

The event will see guest speakers Pip Russell of Network Ten and Juiced TV, and Rebecca Medcalf of skin-care brand Organic Index, share their experiences as young female entrepreneurs.

Ms Medcalf co-founded her retail skincare business two years ago and encountered difficulties in its early stages in differentiating her business among competitors in the market.

“It is a privilege to be a guest speaker at this cutting-edge event and I hope my experience can help other women overcome any challenges they are facing and grow sustainable and innovative businesses," she said.

The Advancing Women in Business virtual world café will also be the ideal forum for the Queensland Government to share and promote the wealth of resources available to businesses.

For more details and to register to attend, visit the Business Queensland website at www.business.qld.gov.au and search for ‘virtual café’.

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909