How To Build Your Side Hustle

Got a side hustle you’re passionate about? Thinking about making it your main gig? Want $1000 to help you? 

Join us for a practical workshop led by Suji Sanjeevan (Founder, Light & Glo) and Aruna Venkatachalam (ASAC Head of Partnerships) - two powerhouse women who have extensive experience building businesses & helping others build businesses. They’ll share practical strategies to help you break through motivational slumps, build momentum, and take real action towards your business goals. 

You can use what you learn in this workshop to apply for one of three $1000 seed funding prizes, generously sponsored by Payments Consulting Network. 

What you'll learn?

1. Let’s Lay the Foundations

• Finding Your Niche: Align passion, skills, and market demand.
• Validating Your Idea: Small-scale testing before full commitment.
• Defining Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What makes you stand out?

2. Business 101

• Time Management: Balancing your 9-to-5 with your side hustle.
• Minimal Viable Product (MVP) Approach: Start lean, iterate fast.
• Legal & Financial Basics: ABNs, tax obligations, and pricing strategy.

3. Become A Marketer

• Building Brand Awareness: Social media, content, and word-of-mouth.
• Leveraging Networks: Collaborations, partnerships, and mentors.
• Customer Acquisition Strategies: Organic vs. paid methods.

4. Scaling Sustainably

• Automating & Delegating: Tools to streamline operations.
• Knowing When to Go Full-Time: Key signs and financial benchmarks.
• Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them: Burnout, cash flow, and overcommitment.

5. Q&A or Key Takeaways

• Interactive discussion / actionable next steps.

Meet The Instructors

Dr. Suji Sanjeevan, a Melbourne-based doctor turned ambiance innovator, masterfully blends science, artistry, and creativity. A graduate of King’s College London, Suji began her career in policy development and research at leading institutions, including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. In 2015, her career took a transformative leap, when she co-founded Light & Glo Designs alongside her husband, Dr. Sanjeevan, an allergy specialist. Their Australian fragrance house operates through two visionary arms: LIGHT + GLO, celebrated for its premium home and personal fragrances, and BrandScent, a pioneering scent marketing agency specialising in bespoke olfactory branding. As one of the few companies in Australia offering fully customised scent solutions, BrandScent creates unique sensory experiences tailored to elevate brand identities and foster deeper consumer connections. Suji is one of our newest ASAC Members!

Aruna Venkatachalam is a changemaker and design thinker with 15+ years experience in social impact, entrepreneurship and leadership. Aruna has lived and worked across Australia (including First Nations Australia), Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India, where she led best-practice community initiatives and co-founded an environmental advocacy startup. As the founder of her own social impact consultancy, alongside her role as Head of Partnerships at Australian South Asian Centre, Aruna's focus is supporting Founders of Colour to thrive. Self-determination, cultural pride and strengths-based-approaches sit at the heart of her work. Aruna has co-designed world-leading entrepreneurial programs and facilitated, coached and supported hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs across Australia and internationally, including youth, leaders and community organisations. Aruna was an Australian recipient of 2024's Asia Society Game Changer Award in Education and Research and has received recognition from the Rotary Foundation for her impactful work. She has also served on the Boards of Bendigo Bank and CQUniversity.

🚀 Spots are limited, so secure yours now.

This program is supported by the Victorian Government through Business Victoria.
ASAC Members get 20% off general ticket sales. Redeem the discount with your member code available through the closed Whatsapp group. Not a member? Become one here.

This event is open to CARM women, with a focus on the South Asian community.