One Business
In partnership with TAFE QLD, the One Business Program supports establishing Indigenous enterprises in regional areas through a culturally safe, "mob by mob" training model. The initiative fosters sustainable growth, improved digital literacy, and creates significant employment opportunities, ultimately bridging economic gaps and strengthening First Nations business foundations.
About the project
In 2020, IM partnered with the late Emma Kerslake of Yolla Consulting to launch the Solid Business Program, which focused on supporting established Indigenous businesses in regional Queensland. This initiative fostered growth and sustainability among Indigenous small and medium enterprises by focusing on strategy, government procurement, and employment opportunities.
Working in partnership with TAFE Queensland, and piloted across regional locations, the program's core mission is to strengthen the economic foundations of Indigenous enterprises and promote full economic participation, equality, and equity. Thanks to its early success, a revised model was launched in 2022, concentrating specifically on Indigenous businesses in the building and construction sector.
The challenge
While IM had been delivering strongly throughout South East Queensland and in Townsville and Cairns with Creating Tracks, the focus of Solid Business was to deliver in locations that, at the time, hadn’t received as much business support.
Indigenous-owned businesses often confront significant barriers compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Many participants are first-generation business owners, forging pathways for knowledge and skills, including vital resources in areas such as business planning and government procurement. This challenge is compounded in remote regions due to limited digital access and digital literacy, further creating barriers to online services and potential buyer markets.
The solution
The Solid Business Program addressed these challenges through a culturally safe, hands-on approach that blended on-site and online training. The curriculum consisted of three main modules: Strengthening the Foundations, Opportunities, and Digital, culminating in a Showcasing component. The program's success was attributed to its "mob, by mob" approach, delivered by Indigenous trainers, to build trust and ensure that content was relevant, accessible and applicable. The program's hybrid delivery included in-person sessions for relationship-building alongside focused online workshops to reduce travel logistics. Participants received practical mentoring and support materials, including strategy sessions and digital reviews, to help build confidence and scaffold skills development.
The results
The program yielded transformative outcomes, significantly advancing economic participation goals related to equality, equity, and race relations. Over 30 business owners participated, gaining the confidence and skills to grow their businesses into sustainable, prospering enterprises. Notably, many participants created employment opportunities for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, thereby directly helping bridge the employment gap, and the Regional Business Expos showcase events fostered greater understanding and awareness of the Indigenous business sector among the wider community and industry.
All participants have long-term engagement with the program through the Indigenous Small Business Alumni, which provides ongoing access to One Business workshops and programs.
Project services: engagement, learning, communication
