Starting a business, or “entrepreneurship” can help you to solve a social problem that you care about, achieve financial independence, learn new skills that will make you a better employee or turn a hobby or skill into a regular income. It can help you to create your own job and earn an income in a way that is more complimentary to your own lifestyle. Anyone can start a business.
UNE SMART Region Incubator Expert in Residence Ian Mason has created several businesses in his career so far - he's also been lucky enough to create a business on behalf of Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. That company, Virgin StartUp, helped thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners, people like you, to start their business. Ian believes that support for those building a business should be delivered by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.
HATCH is UNE SRI’s free flagship program for your new business ideas. Delivered by Ian in his typical no-nonsense, practical and engaging manner, HATCH will help you understand what it takes to successfully start a business, and show you how to take the first steps toward doing so yourself.
If you're curious about starting a business, or have recently started one, and want to find out how to reach your goals and ambitions – large or small - this program is for you.
Building a business is a humbling experience – so support to help people doing so should be humble too.
Who is the program for and what will I learn?
This is a part-time, 2-month long program, designed for emerging entrepreneurs, that you can easily complete alongside your other commitments.
During the program:
o You’ll explore the attributes and mindset you need to develop in order to be able to manage scarce resources – time, money and knowledge;
o You’ll uncover some key strategies that will help you to unlock the potential of your ideas;
o You'll leave being able to talk freely and confidently about your idea as a business and in a way that people can understand and relate to;
o You'll leave with a strong idea of the next steps you need to take to turn your business idea into reality.
Most of all, you can expect to hear no jargon, or unrelatable content, or judgment, just practical knowledge that’s relevant and easy to apply in a supportive, nurturing and constructive environment, from people that have, very recently and successfully, started and grown their own business.
The program will comprise of two monthly sessions The Exchange, along with two online masterclasses, culminating in a pitch/celebration/networking event.
Each session will comprise of a learning opportunity, a case study and a workshop to allow you to develop your thinking further.
What is the commitment and what will be expected of me?
By signing up for this program, you are committing to:
- 2 in-person sessions (9:30am – 2.30/3pm) @The Exchange; the dates in 2023 are: Monday March 20 and Monday April 17
- 2 online masterclasses (60-90mins max); the dates are: March 29 and April 12 (12-1.30pm). A recording will be available if you are unable to join live.
- A weekly online check-in session (15-30 mins max);
- A celebration event at the end of the program (including a pitch by participants!) in the evening of Monday April 17.
This program is FREE to attend.
This program is proudly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Government in association with Narrabri Shire Council, The Exchange Narrabri and UNE SMART Region Incubator as part of the TEBA (The Exchange Business Activator) project.