Support for women in business

Find support for women to start, run and grow their business, with information on available mentoring, training, networks, funding, programs and services.

Women in business face unique hurdles—from limited access to funding to and balancing family and professional commitments. These barriers often deter women from pursuing entrepreneurship or advancing in their careers.

Join Fleur Madden, Women in Business Champion by Brisbane Economic Development Agency, as she shares strategies to build professional confidence and empower women to thrive in their business ventures.

  • [Fleur Madden, CEO, Ginsburg Firm]

    Hello, my name is Fleur Madden and I am the CEO of the Ginsburg Firm.

    Across our state, women are running businesses every day.

    More than half a million small business owners are putting in the hard work to build something of their own.

    I wanted to share with you some of the key elements that have made my businesses successful across different industries.

    First, if there's something I know for sure after 23 years in business, it is the women who are building the most successful businesses know they need to build businesses with a strong brand that people want to be part of. To buy from, to work for.

    Businesses that have a magnetic brand. Because in business, people do business with people they connect with.

    They buy what they trust. They buy what they remember. They buy what they believe in. They buy what they feel inspired by.

    A magnetic business brand is not about having the perfect logo, the perfect website or the perfect Instagram feed.

    It is about being clear on who you are, what you stand for, what your mission is, and the problem that your business is here to solve.

    Your net worth is your network. If you aren't making growing your network and business community a priority, this is your sign that you need to.

    You do not win new business sitting behind your desk.

    So, it's time to make a commitment to yourself to start attending events where your customers, your next hire, or your business partnership opportunity could be in the room.

    Make your business development strategy top of your agenda.

    A business development strategy is about intentionally creating meaningful opportunities and relationships for your business to grow.

    It might mean attending events. It might mean creating your own event, big or small, so you can create a powerful brand moment.

    It could be targeting business developmental outreach, digital ads, PR, social media, speaking engagements, sponsorships, or a strategic partnership.

    It's about thinking strategically about how people will connect with your business and remember your business.

    Because when an opportunity arises, you don't want to be invisible. You want to be front of mind.

    To find out all the ways that our great state supports business, visit the Business Queensland website.

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Self-employed business

Self-Employment Assistance provides workshops, business plan development, training and coaching to help you with your business idea or existing small business.

Start your business

Find information on starting your business, including planning, financial essentials, hiring staff, digital business and IT solutions, and what's involved with buying an existing business.

Grow your business

To help you grow and expand your business:

Access funding

Business networks

  • Indigenous Business Australia's Strong Women Strong Business connects Indigenous businesswomen with each other through mentoring, networking and relationship building. Find community support from women who know what you are going through, both in business and personal life.
  • The Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises (WiRE) program assists and supports women in rural, regional and remote areas to start and grow their businesses, by promoting and cultivating women entrepreneurship and innovation in rural, regional and remote Australia.
  • WOW (Women of the World) drives cultural and creative dialogue, debate and celebration. Editorials, conversations, recordings and resources are gathered here to challenge the status quo, encourage deep reflection and inspiration.
  • Contact your local council to find women-owned business networks and events in your area.

Further assistance, training and events

Support women-owned businesses

Help women-owned businesses to grow by:

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