Called Bush Biz Boost, creator Amy Treacy says the program is for any and all “bush businesses” and if successful in Cohuna will be implemented in rural towns across Victoria.
“It has been an idea of mine for a couple of years now and came about while I was participating in a leadership program in 2018,” Mrs Treacy said.
Bush Biz Boost was unveiled in early August after securing funding from the Cohuna and District Progress Association and Gannawarra Shire Council.
The floor is now open to Cohuna residents to express an interest in Bush Biz Boost’s pilot program if they’d like access to six Wednesday night teaching sessions, each one conducted by a different expert in business, and mentorship-esque support, all free-of-charge.
“For the pilot program, our six expert presenters are all rural business owners themselves,” Mrs Treacy said.
“All of them specialise in one of the key areas of business basics: entrepreneurship, structure and admin, marketing, digital literacy, finance and mental health.”
Echuca-Moama’s April Whiston is one of the presenters who’ll be a leading business talk alongside Jenn Donovan (marketing), Paul Dillon (rural business), Kerry Anderson (entrepreneurship), Jen Waterson (profits and finances) and Warren Davies (mental health).
Mrs Treacy plans to run the sessions out of her workspace hire business CohunaCo, but says she won’t make a final decision on the delivery method until the Victorian Government makes more announcements on COVID-19 restrictions.
Mrs Treacy said so far 35 people had put their hands up — quite a success, considering there were only 10 spots in the pilot program.
The first session will begin September 30.
