Learn what it takes to set up a business with our free workshop

If you are interested in starting a business, have an existing  business, would like to consolidate a business idea, or are just interested in learning more about entrepreneurship, this workshop is for you.  

This 3 hour workshop will give you an understanding of: 

The difference between a hobby and a business 
How to assess the overall strength of your business or business idea
Your role in the business  
The importance of effective business partnerships and how to connect

This workshop would suit a person with a disability (including mental ill health) who:

has a business idea
has an existing small business and is looking for extra support
does not have a business idea but is interested in learning about what it would take to start a small business

Or a person who:

is the carer/family member of a person with a disability
wants to start a business to support people with disabilities

PLUS! The opportunity to be invited to a second workshop for those participants who would like to work on their own business idea.

Following the workshop, referral into the SSI IgniteAbility® program is available for one-on-one free support for workshop participants ready to start their small business or consolidate an existing one.

What participants are saying about this workshop:

It was a very informative workshop. The resource persons were very encouraging, confident, and knowledgeable, being able to answer our queries, with added value information. Serna, September 2021.

I enjoyed being able to have clear and helpful answers to my questions. I would like to thank the team for this great workshop. Participant, September 2021.

Dina and her team were wonderful and had a lot of experience. It is great I can access your team for more support in future. Sorayya, September 2021.

I am so excited about my business now. Belinda, October 2021.

The presentation was excellent, there was a great overview and allowed us to spot a couple of holes in our own planning which we can now fill. Michael, October 2021.

The IgniteAbility® Small Business Start-Ups program started in 2016 to support people living with a disability to explore, start or grow a small business in Australia. In the last five years we have helped businesses like Carly's Coffee Couriers and Michelle Brown Arts Studio to gain the knowledge, skills and capacity to make their dream a reality.

For more information, visit our webpage here.

This course is proudly supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Our facilitators

George Tonna and Marco Quintao
Heroes with Ability

Heroes with Ability is the brainchild of close friends George Tonna and Marco Quintao, who founded the organisation to provide sports clinics for people with disability. Mr Tonna, who has cerebral palsy, was often excluded from sports programs growing up in the 1980s, as schools did not cater for children with special needs. Heroes With Ability enables children with disability to build up their skills and feel a sense of belonging.

Lizzy Philip
Untangle your Brain

Lizzy Philip has a Bachelor’s degree in English and History and a Master’s degree in Special Education. She uses her academic training with her own experience of living with a disability through her school and tertiary studies, to mentor students facing similar challenges. Untangle Your Brain helps high school students and young adults achieve their goals and encourage self-confidence, self-reliance and success with their studies.

Michelle Brown
Michelle Brown Arts Studio

Michelle Brown is an artist and educator living with disability who runs a disability-led art studio for people who have a wide range of disabilities including Deaf/HOH and people with mental health issues.

Dwayne Fernandes
Minds at Play

Dwayne Fernandes is part of the team behind Minds at Play, a program that engages youth with disabilities in a fantasy based game whilst enabling safe social interactions and self-awareness to be built. Mr Fernandes was inspired to create the program by his godchild, who has ASD, and has experience as a disability leader, as well as a lifetime of lived experience as a double amputee.

Haydn Payne
Spectrumite

Haydn Payne is a certified youth worker, dual diagnosis professional, and trainer and assessor with Autism and Tourette syndrome. He is the founder of Spectrumite, a mentorship and training provider that builds pathways and solutions for people with disability, focusing on empowerment, independence, and resilience.

Berinda Karp
Autism STEP Australia

Berinda Karp is the founder of Autism STEP Australia, an organisation that helps bridge the gap for autistic youth and adults, especially after they leave school.

FAQ

How do I know if it is right for me?
This workshop would suit a person with a disability who:

has a business idea
has an existing small business and is looking for extra support
does not have a business idea but is interested in learning about what is would take to start a small business

Once you register, our team will reach out to help you answer any questions you might have.

Does this cost me anything?
Our workshop is completely free.

What happens after I register?
After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the zoom link for the day.