Indigenous entrepreneurs
Now is the time to bring economic independence and long-lasting inter-generational change for Indigenous women through sustainable business development.
Being an Indigenous woman entrepreneur in Australia is often not an easy path. Historical and gendered inequalities, and a lack of access to resources, education and training has made it difficult for Indigenous women entrepreneurs to participate in the economy and build financial security.
Good Return has partnered with the Kimberley Jiyigas and Menzies Foundation to support sustainable change within the Indigenous community. We have started in Western Australia in the Kimberley region with an innovative collective - the Maganda Makers Business Club. The Maganda Makers work with experienced Indigenous businesswomen who guide, nurture and upskill emerging women entrepreneurs.
The Maganda Makers Business Club also recently entered into an exciting new partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation so that the program can expand into Queensland and Northern Territory. Learn more here.
She is leading the way so others can follow
Founded on a deep respect for Indigenous culture, the voices of Indigenous women drive the development and implementation of the Maganda Makers Business Club.
The program places Indigenous women in the driving seat, using their perspectives and insights to define the goal posts and guide the process. A community-centric, trauma-informed lens is applied across all aspects of the initiative. Good Return is leveraging our experience to help drive this program.
Our program supports Indigenous women entrepreneurs with:
tools, resources and coaching to build skills
networking and business-growth opportunities
promotion, marketing and access to capital
Powered by Club Captain Natasha Short, the Club is providing peer support, resources, opportunities, and connections to all members. As of August 2023, there were 140 members linked to the Maganda Makers.
The types of businesses emerging from the Club include fashion, arts and design, cultural tourism, bush tucker, bush medicine products, and consultancies.
The Club has a team of experienced business leaders called the ‘Business Builder Navigators’ who support and mentor other Indigenous women in their business journeys. The team of leaders has grown to 8 women.
Get in touch.
We’d love to hear from you if you would like to support the Maganda Makers, learn more about the project or get involved in building business opportunities for Indigenous women.
