YOUNG entrepreneurs will have plenty to look forward to with the Big Ideas Day in Swan Hill next Friday, July 9.
Murray Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network (MMLLEN) is organising the big day for 16 to 25-year-olds, in partnership with iGen Foundation, a charitable organisation that promotes youth entrepreneurship.
MMLLEN project and communications officer, Mikayla Zanker, said it’s all about giving youth entrepreneurial skills – something they considered to be lacking locally.
“Upon seeing a similar day held in another region, we decided that understanding the fundamentals – and what it takes to build on ideas to run your own small business – is something that was missing in the Swan Hill and district area,” Ms Zanker said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people wanting to start their own business, expand on a growing small business, or potentially work for someone who runs their own business.”
Big Ideas Day will start with a brainstorm of ideas, and end with a real business opportunity.
“The young people will get a canvas of what they’re going to work through – they’ll start off with an idea, then by the end of the day they’ll have a backbone for a new business,” Ms Zanker said.
Local business owners have come onboard to deliver advice and skills to their young counterparts.
“My mum, for instance, runs a bookkeeping business, and she’s keen to help young locals with their business needs around accounting and tax,” Ms Zanker said.
“We want to make sure these young people know – if they have any questions or ideas, they have these local people they can go to for advice.”
Many businesses have been forced to evolve and adapt in the last two years during Covid, and that’s meant an even bigger focus on online, Ms Zanker said.
“I see a lot of people making web pages, Instagram pages, starting their own business in lockdown.
“And especially making those local networks, is a huge thing in this future world of work.”
But participants don’t need to be entrepreneurs to learn valuable skills for the workplace.
“It doesn’t have to be starting their own business, they might be working for an existing business and wanting to step up, perhaps as a social media manager,” Ms Zanker said.
So far ten young people have registered for the ideas day, with a bonus incentive for the next ten.
“Registrations are going well, and we’re still giving away $50 Swan Hill gift vouchers for the first twenty who register,” Ms Zanker said.
