Wodonga woman Cheryl Tomlinson was recently retrenched and unsure of what to do next when she got in contact with Global Sisters.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"My accountant suggested I get in touch with them," she said.
"It was a five-day course and pitching my business in Melbourne.
"My core business is planning for the unexpected hurdles of life and getting paperwork sorted.
"I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now without them.
"For me, now it's also supporting other women who are looking at creating a business."
Ms Tomlison, who started Will It To Be estate planning soon after getting support from Global Sisters in 2016, has recommended the not-for-profit to many other local women.
"The biggest hurdles I think most of us have are financial and self-confidence," she said.
"They help you to plan and to believe in yourself."
With women losing their jobs at a faster rate than men during the pandemic, the business mentoring is even more important; Global Sisters opens the door to any woman in need, especially single mothers, women over 50 and women who don't fit into the traditional workforce.
Thelma Vlamis became a community ambassador for Global Sisters Albury-Wodonga and Wangaratta in January last year.
"I'm spreading the word in a way because a lot of people don't know about Global Sisters and the resources that we have," she said.
"We're now offering support to them for three years.
"So women go through our 10 week program, they pitch their idea to a number of people, and then we will provide them with a coach or mentor moving forward to help them with their first few customers.
"We want to work within the community; something that we're growing this year is partnering up with people."
Victorian manager Michelle Lilley said the free program and mentoring could be "quite transformational".
"Once you see women feel safe again ... it's almost like they can think well, and clear their mind," she said.
"They pitch first, which shows us that they've absorbed the material, that they have got some kind of foundation to an idea. Some might need more support.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"And after the pitch, they go through a program called first 10 customers that's getting something ready to go to market."
Ms Vlamis is looking for women who might be interested in the first program of 2021, commencing in February, and any mentors who might support the program.
She can contacted via email at thelma@globalsisters.org.