Most small business owners will remember the thrill and excitement of making their first sale.
That feeling of accomplishment you get when other people love your product just as much as you do and are willing to be a paying customer. It’s a great feeling.
Setting up and running a small business is no mean feat, especially if you are a young woman with a young family that’s facing adversity.
From navigating motherhood, to finding secure housing, attending medical appointments, getting to the bottom of complex legal issues, and looking at ways to enter or re-enter the workforce, young mothers who are parenting have a lot on their plate.
That’s why Emma* and Ashley’s* story is even more remarkable. They are overcoming the odds.
Both Emma and Ashley are young mothers in their early 20s.
Both have started their own small business from home and have hopes to build on their early success.
Their recent stint at the local markets not only turned a profit but secured them more orders and valuable exposure for their brands. It was an exciting opportunity that has given them more confidence.
The market stall was organised by Micah Projects, a not-for-profit charity that supports young families and, in particular, young mothers who are parenting to overcome barriers to leading a healthy life, finding employment, and participating economically.
The two young mothers were given guidance on setting up their ABN, understanding financial structures, and were coached in accounting, marketing, and goal setting.
The new Being Your Best program commenced in September 2022, (following a successful pilot in 2020) and has already supported six young women in Brisbane and Caboolture to re-enter the workforce or take up further study.
The program helps young mothers with work readiness skills; career planning; small business development plans; skills in financial literacy; mental health; and first aid training, just to name a few.
The program is part of Micah Project’s Young Mothers for Young Women initiative which Hand Heart Pocket has backed since June 2022.
Earlier this month, during Queensland Women’s Week, we were reminded that we should all aim for equity. Programs like Being your Best are a shining example how of the fairest outcomes are the ones that best meet people’s individual needs. Hand Heart Pocket is proud to be involved.
*real names withheld for privacy reasons.
