NAMBUCCA Heads artist Sha-Lohm Jamieson is thriving through participation in the Launch Pad Youth Entrepreneur program, a 12-week business bootcamp for young people aged 18 to 30.
The 24-year-old said the program was challenging her to consider ways she could expand her artistic practice into a working business.
“The Launch Pad boot camp has been very informative and engaging,” Ms Jamieson said.
“It’s been both helpful and nurturing; the bite-sized learning modules built upon by real interaction with other business people has been great.
“I’m investigating ways I could build on my love of art to make a business, perhaps through making wearable art for sale or through providing workshops.
“It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment, but it’s exciting to have a great space to think in and access to expert guidance.”
The other young people participating in the program from the Nambucca Valley are Martin Ussher, 29, Lee Collier, 27, and Lily Crease, 21.
The program provides 12-weeks of fully funded business support to young people who have a business idea or are already running a small business and want help turning it into something solid.
Program facilitator Julie Humphris said she has found the program truly rewarding to deliver.
“We’re now four weeks into the program and so far, we’ve covered target marketing, business essentials, branding and financial literacy,” she said.
“The next part of the program is going to get even better, as we drill down into the entrepreneurs’ own business story and provide a professional photoshoot and videography shoot for them to support them to tell their story.
“The finale will be a pop-up shop in the region where they can either test or showcase their work.”
Nambucca Valley Council Manager Economic Development and Tourism, Janice Rooney, said Council had supported the program to provide practical opportunities to local youth.
“A key message the community told us during the lengthy Community Strategic Plan process over 2024-25, was that it wanted to see more opportunities for young people in our valley,” she said.
“By partnering with Kempsey Shire Council, Country Universities Centre, and other stakeholders, we are supporting this program, which directly responds to the ideas and needs of young people starting out in business.
“In addition to the boot camp learning sessions, the young people are participating in Toastmasters in Port Macquarie, micro business forums, and Chamber of Commerce meetings, and one-to-one mentoring sessions with highly experienced local business owners, which will be supercharging their skills.”
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