A new program helping Arabic-speaking people with disabilities start their own businesses is already achieving success.
The Business Matters course is a free program delivered by AMES Australia in partnership with AMAZE for people who want to become self-employed, have a disability, or care for a person with a disability.
The participants receive training on developing business plans, how the tax system and an ABN works, marketing and promotion, disability knowledge, and budgeting and finance.
They also receive mentoring from a successful business owner.
South Sudanese businesswoman Elizabeth Jeraboam is one entrepreneur who has benefitted from the program.
Elizabeth, who uses a wheelchair because of her disability, has turned her hobby of making Sudanese biscuits and sweets into a successful business.
“Years ago, my sister taught me how to make cookies and biscuits, which are used in weddings, baby showers and other celebrations,” Elizabeth said.
“Over the years, these have been my hobbies, but now I have turned this into a business,” she said.
Elizabeth has sold biscuits to 7Eleven and at a market store in Preston, and she continues to work with her Business Matters mentor to progress her business.
“My goal is to pay my house off and then send money back home to support young people to get educated. At the moment, I support two students, one studying IT and the other engineering,” said Elizabeth, who lives in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
The Business Matters course is funded through the NDIS.
A new class will start on 25 July. For more information, visit the website or contact Jolie Alotry on 0417 080 043 or at AlotryJ@ames.net.au.
