New funding partnership to realise the potential of Indigenous women entrepreneurs in remote Australia

New funding partnership to realise the potential of Indigenous women entrepreneurs in remote Australia

A successful initiative for Indigenous women entrepreneurs is set to expand nationally from its home in Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region, elevating the social and economic transformation of Indigenous women across the country. 

The first of its kind, the Maganda Makers Business Club has proven a successful model for Indigenous women in business to network, build skills and grow as entrepreneurs. New funding from the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) will enable the initiative to grow and reach even more women, with expansion into Queensland and the Northern Territory on the horizon for the club which began following a collaboration between Kimberley Jiyigas, Menzies Foundation and Good Return.

The club draws on the power of relatable role models – other Indigenous women who have been successful in business – and provides a nurturing, supportive environment for personal and professional growth. It welcomes women entrepreneurs no matter what stage they are at in their business journey, with some having never previously considered self-employment as an option. 

PRF’s head of Employment Josephine Khalil said the Foundation was proud to support the Maganda Makers Business Club as a grassroots initiative making strong progress in identifying and addressing barriers to entrepreneurship by Indigenous women.

“Supporting women to thrive as entrepreneurs and realise their professional goals has significant flow-on effects for families and communities,” Ms Khalil said. 

“The Maganda Makers Business Club is an exciting collaboration that elevates the voices of Indigenous entrepreneurs and their potential to drive change, particularly in remote areas where opportunities are far too limited. We’re proud to support the club as it seeks to broaden its impact and empower more women across the country.”

The Maganda Makers Business Club has grown to over 150 participants, with businesses in tourism, hospitality, bush foods and medicines, art, design and photography operating across the Kimberley. Its localised approach based on learning and adapting will continue as the project grows. 

The Maganda Maker’s Business Club is led by Club Captain and Kimberley Jiyigas founder/owner Natasha Short, who brings her deep understanding of the social, cultural and economic dynamics of the Kimberley region and the women who live and work there. 

“These are strong women who are determined to be influencers of social change regionally, nationally and internationally,” Ms Short said. “By believing in themselves and their businesses, they are empowering future generations of women.” 

“The Indigenous entrepreneurship model started by the Maganda Makers works so well because it puts Indigenous women in the driving seat,” explains Menzies Foundation CEO Liz Gillies. “It works because it uses Indigenous perspectives and insights to define the goalposts and guide the process.”

The new partnership has bold plans for the next three years, taking insights from its Kimberley experience to inform an expansion to Queensland and the Northern Territory. More women will benefit from business building resources, one-on-one mentoring and connections to business opportunities. 

Good Return brings 20 years’ experience in building financial inclusion through localised approaches across Asia and the Pacific. Cindy Mitchell has joined the Good Return team to oversee the growth of the initiative, after spending time with the women of Maganda Makers as part of her PhD research on Indigenous venturing.  

“At Good Return we see the potential and drive in every entrepreneur, and work to understand and break down the barriers that cause certain groups of people to be marginalised and excluded from economic opportunity,” said Good Return CEO Shane Nichols. 

“Working in the Kimberley region has shown us that a remote location and difficult access to business services and finance is no deterrence to this group of strong and inspiring women.”