The stage is being set in Byford for local business women to have their moment in the spotlight.
The team behind Byford Co.Lab – Jacqui Gandy and Lisa Whittington – will be hosting their second International Women’s Day event on Friday March 7.
“Last year’s event was a success, so we thought let’s do it again but bigger and better,” Jacqui said.
“It will be a showcase of female-led local businesses, perhaps many that people don’t know about.
“This area is such a hub for creative and enterprising women who are forging their own path. And they should be celebrated.”
The family-friendly event will feature a diverse collection of local stalls, performances and demonstrations, and include food trucks and coffee vans, free face painting, hair braiding and lucky door prizes.
Around 40 stallholders have registered, and a number of local business women have jumped on board this year’s event as sponsors to help it grow.
Kristi Shuttleworth from Byford Settlements said the showcase was a “natural fit” for them and they were “excited to see the positive changes and opportunities this event will inspire for women in our community and beyond”.
“This sponsorship is more than just a commitment; it’s a celebration of the incredible achievements of women and a chance to contribute to their ongoing success,” she said.
EverSharp Financial Services’ Sharlene Gratte said she began her business 20 years ago after having her first child, and struggling to find the balance between the competing roles in her life.
After that experience she became a “big advocate for women supporting women”, which is why she came on board as an event sponsor.
“I personally know how hard it is for women to get ahead,” she said. “Being in finance, I particularly see the difficulties for women who are struggling through domestic violence and relationship breakdowns. And I want to help in whatever way I can.”
In fact, for so many Australian women, the decision to become a small business owner is made out of necessity.
Last year’s Unstoppable Women survey revealed that nearly 40 percent of female business owners across the country were juggling primary caregiving responsibilities as well as work, and 84 percent said they were responsible for most household duties.
The flexibility of a small business was one of its main attractions.
Mum and Mini Fitness’s Jacqui Somerville is another local who found it challenging to slot back into her pre-motherhood career.
“I was a personal trainer for 15 years, but it was so difficult to find the time and capacity after having a baby,” she said.
“Women don’t often get as much support as they deserve, especially during that transition period in their lives.
“And the challenges that men and women face in business are not equal, so we’ve got to have each other’s backs. That’s why something like this event is so important.”
Since 1991, female business ownership in Australia has soared by 77.4 percent, outpacing the growth of male-owned businesses.
Women business owners, on the whole, are also vastly more qualified than their male counterparts, with over 40 per cent of female business owners holding at least a bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma, or postgraduate degree, while the equivalent proportion of male business owners had certificate III or IV or an advanced diploma.
And yet, a significantly higher number of female bosses suffer from imposter syndrome; a shocking 16.4 percent of women admitted to feeling like they’re faking it, compared to just 5.8 percent of men, according to the Unstoppable Women survey.
“And there’s still a massive gender pay gap,” Kate Rodgers, founder of local business design company Wickedly Brilliant, said.
“Which is ironic because I think we are the ones who are actually changing the world.”
Jacqui Gandy said their International Women’s Day event was one way they were trying to drive cultural change in this space.
And with an army of supporters now behind the event, they have decided to use that power to raise up another woman-led local initiative.
“This year we’re raising money for the Sarah Ford Foundation, and all proceeds will be donated to help Sarah achieve her amazing goals within the community,” she said.
Sarah Ford Foundation is a registered not-for-profit charity focused on empowering women who have experienced domestic violence, poverty and homelessness, by providing exercise services.
“Fitness literally saved my life after I fell into the darkest hole imaginable,” Sarah Ford said.
“After that I started questioning why more women (especially those in financial difficulty) don’t have access to fitness to improve their mental health.
“I’ve been through trauma, so it’s now my mission to help survivors of domestic violence.
“And we’re so grateful to be the Byford Co.Lab’s nominated charity for this event.”
The International Women’s Day Showcase will be held at the Serpentine Jarrahdale Rec Centre (Mead Street, Byford) from 9am to 3pm on Friday March 7.
