Sisters behind thriving ventures

They have helped women create million-dollar firms

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Innisfail

| Nick Dalton

FOURTEEN years after two Innisfail sisters created an online site for mothers in business, nearly a quarter of their network’s enterprises are turning over more than $1 million.

Peace Mitchell and Katy Garner created online community AusMumpreneur for like-minded mums.

Now they say 23 per cent of their community have businesses turning over $1m.

The sisters founded their venture in 2009, driven by their shared ambition and desire for flexibility following the birth of their first children.

But their early endeavours in fashion and stroller design struggled due to a lack of startup support in regional Australia.

This led them to recognise the need for an accessible network to empower mothers with similar aspirations. They identified their isolation as a unique advantage, launching a national platform and online community connecting Australian women.

The AusMumpreneur community, which provides vital educa- tion, connections, and support to nurture successful businesses, has more than 150,000 members.

“Our greatest weakness, being isolated and remote, became our greatest strength because we had to be national from day one,” said Ms Mitchell.

“Being a Mumpreneur brings flexibility, financial independence and freedom to create the lifestyle that works for your family,” said Ms Garner.

The sisters said the Mumpreneur industry had seen significant growth since 2009, with social media expansion enabling more women to initiate businesses.

Research indicated that women often experienced a surge of creativity and innovation following childbirth, inspiring new business ideas and problemsolving approaches, they said.

The annual AusMumpreneur Awards acknowledges and celebrates these businesswomen’s impressive contributions. Nominations are now open.

For more information about the online community and the AusMumpreneur Awards visit the AusMumpreneur website at https://bit.ly/45Xk4t9

Public housing boost l CAIRNS

FIVE new social houses or units have been tenanted in Cairns after the Palaszczuk government completed buying 52 new social houses and units across Queensland.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said families and residents were expected to soon move into their five new homes in Cairns.

“The opportunity to purchase the homes was identified, in consultation with Q-Shelter, as being able to bring more hous- ing online faster and at greater value to Queensland taxpayers,” she said.

“Across the country, housing pressures are having an impact, including in Queensland,” Ms Scanlon said.

“That’s why we’re taking action with a record investment in new social and affordable homes, but also looking at different ways to tackle the issue.

“Like many other industries, building new homes takes time, so the purchase of these homes will help put a roof over the heads of vulnerable Queenslanders sooner.”

Indigenous cash fill-up

l FAR NORTH

INDIGENOUS councils, including Yarrabah, are to benefit from a Palaszczuk government oneoff injection of $25.8 million in 2023-24.

Treaty and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Leeanne Enoch said the $25.8m was in addition to the more than $44m per annum in current Indigenous councils’ funding arrangements.

She said the 16 Indigenous councils didn’t have a rate-base, so the funding was heavily relied on to help deliver core services to their communities.

“Indigenous councils face enormous challenges including managing small, dispersed and remote populations, the difficulty of attracting and retaining experienced personnel, and functioning with a limited ability to raise own source revenue,” Ms Enoch said.

“They often deliver a wide range of service even in areas including child and aged care, banking and postal, and telecommunications and internet services,” she said.