A program designed to help female-led SA businesses grow quiclkly has launched

A group of Adelaide women looking to take their businesses to the next level has met for the first time as part of a state government accelerator program.

Co-Founder of Acler, Kathryn Forth, Minister for Small & Family Business, Andrea Michaels and CEO, Discount Party Supplies, Kirsty Chapman-Smith. Picture: Tom Huntley

THE first cohort of participants has been selected for the state government’s Women in Business Advisory Program, with early-stage, high growth businesses being paired with mentors and given advice on how to rapidly and sustainably grow their ventures.

The 38 businesswomen selected come from industries including finance, agriculture, legal, health and fashion, and will take part in a program designed by leadership development organisation Behind Closed Doors.

Minister for Small and Family Business Andrea Michaels said the recent Statewide Small Business Engagement Program had identified that 43 per cent of female business owners indicated they faced gender-specific barriers.

These included discrimination, inequitable access to growth opportunities and challenges accessing skills development opportunities while balancing caregiving duties.

BCD managing director Donny Walford said the [participants in the new program went through a competitive selection process.

Applicants were interviewed by an independent panel of business advisors and entrepreneurs,’’ Ms Walford said.

“The calibre of applicants was very high and we deliberated for half a day to decide on the final scholarship winners.

“It is very encouraging for South Australia to have so many talented female entrepreneurs, and with the rise in the popularity of technology, there are many new opportunities for female business owners to grow their businesses and go global.’’

Discount Party Supplies chief executive and founder Kirsty Chapman-Smith said she applied for the scholarship as she was keen on further developing her leadership skills.

“My business has achieved significant growth over the last few years, and I recognise I need to develop and grow with it if I am to deliver on the vision and strategy we have set for the company,’’ Ms Chapman-Smith said.

“I am most excited that this is specifically a program for women entrepreneurs.

“I am looking forward to being challenged and inspired by a group of like-minded women who will support each other as we face the hurdles of running our own businesses.’’

Ms Michaels, who was managing director of her own firm NDA Law before joining politics, said she knew through personal experience that women face specific challenges when they are looking to start and grow their businesses.

“I am incredibly excited to announce the Women in Business Advisory program is now up and running, with our first cohort of businesswomen from across the state selected for this landmark opportunity,’’ she said.

Participants in the program take part in a series of workshops and are also paired with mentors, and the first meeting of the group was held earlier this month.

It is in addition to the Women in Business Foundations Program which is targeted at women running earliest-stage businesses.

Other business owners taking part in the program include Kathryn Forth from fashion brand Acler, Sandra Harder from Port Lincoln Fresh Fish Co., Tahlia Melino from Melino Legal and Vanessa Comley from SA Organics.