Sourdough Business Pathways

BUSINESS PATHWAYS

My journey to becoming an Agripreneur is personal, with Microgreens being a pivotal part of my mother’s recovery from Stage IV Lymph cancer. The concept of “food as medicine” is well known, but what isn’t known is the power of Microgreens.

As of today, I grow three varieties of Microgreens in my Ag-Tech Farm; Red-Clover, Broccoli, and Sunflower, each with its own health benefits. My innovative start-up has established a world-first, fully enclosed vertical farm which enables us to grow sustainably and harvest exceptional produce every day of the year. My Microgreen punnets are compostable and everything we do is B-Corp standard and circular economy based.

What inspired you to seek a mentor through Sourdough? I was looking for a sounding board and support in connecting with the local community. I filled out a simple online application – it was really easy – and a week later, I got an email proposing Amy Nicholls, who works in global coaching and has a background in the corporate world and sustainability.

What expertise did your mentor offer you? Amy is beautiful, she’s warm, supportive and knowledgeable and she really understands business. We have had weekly sessions. She empowered me to see the big picture and motivated me to get more structured and reach my best possible outcomes at each stage of my start-up journey.

She became my go-to person, someone to say: “Hey, what do you think of this?” Amy has been so influential that I often consider what her approach to a situation might be when making bigger decisions. As a result, I’m more confident at managing my business and I go for what I want – no matter how immense my vision might seem to others. I know that anything is possible until I decide it isn’t!

What guidance from your mentor has stayed with you? Amy is very tuned into right and wrong and she has an amazing ability to bring clarity in decision making - BPO to every meeting, “best possible outcome” is to “go in” knowing what you want beforehand with a clear outcome in mind. She has also shown me the value of asking for help, something that can be difficult for me, I am usually the one helping others.

Thank you, Elle, for sharing your mentor experience.

Are you interested in engaging a mentor for your business? Simply complete a quick online form: https://sbp.org.au/get-a-mentor

in Individual Support 2021

I’ve always wanted to be a nurse but, at home in Vanuatu, I didn’t finish high school. Since I came to Brunswick Heads in 2005, I’ve helped the hubby with the businesses and had two children who are now at primary school. Then, one day, after driving past the Byron Community College, I walked in and got the brochure. When I saw the Certificate III in Individual Support, I said “Bingo!” I didn’t start for two years because my husband had an accident and then because of coronavirus.

When I first started, my learning ability was not that great and there were words I didn’t understand. In Vanuatu we speak Pidgin and I learned some English at school but not much. The reality was different to what I was expecting. I thought I’d made a mistake. I told my teachers I was thinking of quitting and they were fantastic. They reminded me how much I wanted this and said to take it one day at a time. I held onto those needed words of advice. Over time I progressed and began to understand.

I’ve completed 80 hours of experience at Coolamon Aged Care, and now I need to do 40 hours in disability. Once I’m finished, I’ll be recognised in this industry anywhere in Australia. One day, I’d like to go back home to help people in Vanuatu, until then, I will help people here. I wanted to do this for myself. The course has given me security. My son says: “I’m so proud of you” and my five-year old daughter loved that we were all going to school! My husband has helped by looking after the kids while I study. I’m crying good tears because it’s so beautiful. I say to anyone considering studying to keep going. Believe in yourself, there is a window of opportunity out there. I know every person has it in them. The College is amazing. It reached someone like me. I’m so thankful to my teachers, the staff and whoever started this College. I’m so happy.

Please choose your course carefully as REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN unless cancellations are received three full working days prior to course commencement, and will incur a $15 administration charge.

Byron Community College reserves the right to cancel or change details advertised and cannot take responsibility for any loss or inconvenience caused. Byron Community College receives funding from the NSW Department of Industry. Byron Region Community College Inc. RTO: 90013