Encouraging greater workforce participation by women is the cheapest way to improve Australia’s productivity, says Bendigo Business Council chief executive officer Leah Sertori.
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Speaking at Bendigo’s inaugural Bendigo Women’s Entrepreneurship Day event on Thursday, Ms Sertori said the Australian economy would thrive if more women were encouraged to succeed in business.
She said events such as Thursday’s networking morning tea at Fortuna Villa were important in encouraging “greater innovation and creativity” among Bendigo’s women.
“So many of the women here have got a story of absolute ingenuity behind the start up of their company,” she said.
Hearing the success stories of other women helped women starting out in business realise their potential, she said.
“I hope the message for young women is that you can do it and it’s very enjoyable; it’s not just hard work all the time,” she said.
Ms Sertori said women were taking up greater roles in business in Victoria.
“I think it has a lot to do with the fact that society’s expectations of women have shifted, access to childcare (has improved) and there’s a more supportive network,” she said.
The Fortuna Villa event, at which women heard from successful female entrepreneurs, was the brainchild of Bendigo businesswoman Deb Herdman, creator of sleep system Nigh’ Nigh’ Sleepy Head. Ms Herdman came up with the system when she found herself with a new baby who was a problem sleeper.
“I took up piano and composed a sleep song with a melody and lyrics and discovered I’d developed a sleep system that helps children from in-utero to primary school age relax to sleep,” she said.
Ms Herdman said her advice to women considering getting involved in business was to have a go.
“I like to think that women of all ages can follow their passion,” she said.
“Don’t be restricted by your age and think ‘oh, it’s too late to do that now’. It’s never too late to have a go at something. If you’re passionate enough about something, you can succeed.”
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the event allowed women to share information and provide mentorship to one another.
“Bendigo is renowned for its small businesses and innovation,” she said.
“We have a number of women right across the age spectrum who’ve done it the hard way and have started their own business. It can be quite isolating when you first start off starting your own small business at home so it’s important to bring people together to share their experiences.”
