Migrant women develop their business dreams through Stepping Stones

Although it had taken a year to ferment, it took just one hour for Yoko Nakazawa to sell out of all her stocks of miso paste when she sold it for the first time at a school fete.The strong demand for this Japanese cooking staple – made from soybeans, salt and barley or rice – gave Yoko the idea of pursuing her passion as a business, but she didn’t know where to start. Last year she undertook the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Stepping Stones program, which developed her business skills and her confidence.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence will run the program in West Heidelberg in September, in partnership with Banyule City Council and the AMP Foundation.

Brotherhood Senior Manager, Refugees, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Hutch Hussein says Stepping Stones offers free training in financial literacy and small business operations for refugee and migrant women like Yoko.

‘Women learn how to complete a business plan, get loans and develop skills, and understand ways of doing business in Australia,’ Ms Hussein said.

The Stepping Stones program will start on 7 September, at Shop 48 – The Harmony Centre, Bell Street Mall, Heidelberg West.

For more information about the program contact: Rebecca Meddings on 0428 906 935 or rmeddings@bsl.org.au

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please contact Acting Communications Manager, Sharon Lee on 0499 300 982 or sharon.lee@bsl.org.au