It is often said building a business is like birthing a baby, giving mumpreneurs a head start in the entrepreneurial stakes.
According to the ABS, 33 per cent of small business owners are women and this number is rapidly climbing, fuelled by the growth of mumpreneurs – women who decide to launch their own business after having children.
Tasmanian mumpreneurs can road test their business ideas at the MumpreneurIDEAS workshops held throughout the state in May and June.
The six-hour workshops have been designed to help mumpreneurs assess the commercial potential of their business idea through highlighting their strengths and identifying skills and market gaps.
MumpreneurIDEAS workshop founder and presenter Polly McGee said the number of mumpreneurs were rising at such a fast rate because running their own businesses allowed mum’s flexibility and control over family time, career and finances.
“Mumpreneurs are women who want to create a work environment that meets their needs and values – on their terms,” Ms McGee explained.
While there are significant small business resources available online, the majority of these resources focus on the business once it has already started. MumpreneurIDEAS workshops are aimed at analysing the business idea before precious resources have been committed and invested.
“Making sure there is not just a good idea, but sufficient resources, market share and the capacity to get there with maximum chance of success is what mumpreneurIDEAS workshops are all about.”
“That and making networks of other mumpreneurs all starting out on the journey at the same time – it’s like mothers group, but for your business!” she said.
Mumpreneurs will come away from the workshop able to make an informed decision about the viability of their business idea, with a supportive network of fellow business women and the support needed to change their lives.
“We intend to create a network of ladies who launch in 2011,” Ms McGee said.
MumpreneurIDEAS workshops will be held at the following venues:
Smithton Thursday 5 May 9.15am – 3.30pm Venue: Circular Head Council, 33 Goldie Street, Smithton
Hobart Wed 11 May 9.15am – 3.30pm Venue: EcoHaven, Basement 71 Murray St Hobart
Scottsdale Thursday 19 May 9.15am – 3.30pm Venue: Dorset Council, 3 Ellenor Street, Scottsdale
West Tamar Friday 20 May 9.15am – 3.30pm Venue: Windsor Community Precinct, 1 Windsor Drive, Riverside
Huonville Thursday 9 June 9.15am – 3.30pm Venue: HuonLINC, 1 Skinner Drive, Huonville
Bookings can be online at http://www.mumpreneurIDEAS.com/workshop-registation-form.html or by calling Business Point on 1800 440 026.
The Business Boost MumpreneurIDEAS workshops are proudly supported by the Tasmanian State Government Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts and Women Tasmania.