A lingerie business tailor-making garments for women with special needs, a remedial masseuse, a girls’ clothing designer and the creator of a special fabric are among the first recipients of loans to assist women establish viable small businesses in the ACT.
ACT Minister for Women met today with the first group of successful applicants of the ACT Government’s Micro-Credit Program, which offers Canberra women on low incomes interest-free loans of up to $3000 to help them establish or expand a viable small business.
Ms Burch said the program had assisted a diverse and innovative range of business ideas that might otherwise not have been possible.
“Women on low incomes have great difficulty financing a small business, despite the merit of their ventures,” Ms Burch said.
“Because of their financial status many women entrepreneurs can struggle to secure even a modest business loan.”
Ms Burch said the first eight Micro-Credit loan recipients were using their funding on practical resources, including marketing and stationery, website development and creating sample ranges of their products.
“The first businesses to receive loans under the program included Cherry Blossom Pty Ltd , which provide foreign language training for pre and primary school children, Make up know How workshops, that teach women make-up techniques, and Melo Designs, which produces and sells girls clothing.”
The Micro-Credit Program, which commenced in March 2010, is funded by the ACT Government through the ACT Office for Women and is managed by the Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre, which assists women to develop business plans and provide free seminars and workshops. Women who are interested in applying for a loan can contact Lighthouse Innovation Business Centre on (02) 6163 8300 or visit www.brilliantidea.com.au.
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