FIRST NATIONS WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONSULTATION WORKSHOP

FIRST NATIONS WOMEN IN BUSINESS CONSULTATION WORKSHOP – TOWNSVILLE

Calling First Nations Women in Business across Townsville and surrounding North Queensland communities!

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) wants to hear directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women about their experiences, aspirations and priorities in business.

You are invited to join us for a FREE two-hour Women in Business Community Consultation Workshop in Townsville and have your voice heard in shaping future business support for First Nations women.

🌺 Your experience matters

Whether you are an established business owner, just starting your business journey, running a side hustle, turning a hobby or skill into income, developing a business idea, or simply interested in exploring entrepreneurship — we want to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to come together with other First Nations women in a culturally respectful and supportive environment to yarn about what is working, what the barriers are, and what could make it easier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to start, build, sustain and grow businesses.

💬 What will we yarn about?

During the workshop, we want to hear about your experiences and perspectives on:

• your business journey, aspirations and future goals;

• barriers and challenges experienced when starting or growing a business;

• mentoring and business coaching needs;

• accessing finance and financial products;

• business skills, capability development and training;

• accessing networks, partnerships and other business support;

• what existing support has worked well — and where the gaps remain; and

• ideas and opportunities for strengthening future support for First Nations women in business.

Your insights will contribute to IBA's work through its Strong Women Strong Business initiative and help inform future approaches to business coaching and support for First Nations women. Similar IBA consultations around Australia are asking women at all stages of business to share what support and financial services would better meet their needs. LinkedIn

📅 Workshop Details

Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: Mercure Townsville – Eacham Room
Address: 166 Woolcock Street, Townsville QLD 4812
Cost: FREE – registrations essential

The consultation will be facilitated by Melisa Anderson, Founder & Managing Director of BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment (BDWE).

🖤 Who should attend?

This workshop is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Townsville and surrounding communities.

You do not need to already own a business to participate.

You might have a business idea you have been thinking about for years. You might have recently registered your first business. You might already employ staff and be looking at your next stage of growth. Or you may simply want to understand what starting a business could look like for you.

Every stage of the business journey is welcome.

🌟 Why your voice is important

First Nations women bring significant knowledge, skills, cultural strengths, lived experience and entrepreneurial ideas to business and community.

This consultation is about listening directly to women about the support they need — rather than making assumptions about what that support should look like.

Come and have your say. Share your experience. Share your ideas. Help shape what comes next.

Light refreshments will be provided for registered participants. Please advise of any dietary or accessibility requirements when registering.

Places are limited and registration is essential.

For further information, please contact:

Melisa Anderson
Founder & Managing Director
BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment
📧 melisa@blaqdiamondswe.com.au
📱 0475 375 785

FREE | FIRST NATIONS WOMEN IN BUSINESS | TOWNSVILLE | FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2026

Indigenous Business Australia | Strong Women Strong Business
Facilitated by BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment