Business Builder Creating Connections

The Waalitj Hub delivered another successful Business Builder event in Kwinana last month, thanks to support from the Alcoa Foundation. 

Hosted at the AMC Jakovich Centre near Kwinana’s industrial centre, the Waalitj Hub’s fourth Business Builder of the year connected local industry leaders with Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Throughout the morning, guests heard from Waalitj Hub business coaches, Raylene Bellottie and Katrina Milianku, about the hub’s offering to Indigenous-owned businesses, which includes marketing, mentoring, support on legal matters and advice on human resource issues, as well as upcoming events and workshops. 

Representatives from Alcoa, Civmec and Synergy presented on procurement opportunities across Perth and WA and how to successfully navigate their tender process. Waalitj Hub business, Binthart Resources, also presented about their experience with the Hub and how they had supported them throughout their business journey. 

Following presentations, participants had to opportunity to connect with the Indigenous business sector, network with fellow business owners and chat to industry and corporate representatives. Waalitj Hub coaches were also available for one-on-one appointments to answer any questions and provide individualised support to businesses. 

Katrina, Waalitj Hub Business Coach, said face-to-face industry networking events, like the Business Builders, are vital for the development of the Indigenous business sector. 

“The Business Builder events are a platform for Indigenous entrepreneurs to network, meet procurers and explore new business opportunities by providing a direct link to industry and corporate leaders. They are essential in empowering and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to step into business, supply products and services to state and national companies, and to build their business capacity and market share.

By working with a Waalitj Hub Business Coach, Indigenous businesses benefit from opportunity sourcing, introductions, and wrap around support in navigating the process of pre-qualification, tendering and onboarding with public and private procurers. This support is invaluable in launching, growing and sustaining businesses, and contributes to growing the Indigenous business sector and economy.” 

The Kwinana Business Builder was the latest in a series of business development events, following on from events in Geraldton, Bunbury and Karratha in February. 

The event was made possible with the support of Alcoa’s global charity, the Alcoa Foundation, which provides funding to the Waalitj Hub to deliver business pop-ups in areas where the resources company operates across the Upper South West, Peel and Kwinana. 

Waalitj Hub’s Business Builder events in Kwinana, Peel and the upper South West are proudly supported by the Alcoa Foundation. Waalitj Hub is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

 

Are you an Indigenous business owner? Get in touch to find out how Waalitj Hub can support your business or join us at one of our upcoming Business Builder in Mandjoogoordap!