An incredible 12 new Aboriginal businesses are about to launch in the Kimberley thanks to a series of successful business workshops run by support group Morrgul Pty Ltd.

The workshops were held in Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and Kununurra with 55 participants attending.

Concerted programs such as the Getting Started in My Business workshops are helping to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous business ownership.

Morrgul’s business workshops guide potential entrepreneurs though the technicalities of their business idea, their potential customers and competitors, money requirements and the skills and resources required to operate a successful business.

Donna Edgar, owner of an emerging small business, said the workshops are invaluable.

“Morrgul is really helping us with the business,” Ms Edgar said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to start my company.” Kevin Tucker, Business Development Coordinator at Morrgul, said the main aim of the workshop is to give Aboriginal people who have a business idea the tools to get started.

“We had excellent feedback from the participants,” Mr Tucker said. “From the workshops, we are now working with 12 people to get them started in their business. “The workshops developed their idea and gave them confidence to take the step into business wownership.”

Of the 55 participants, 12 are already working with Morrgul and a significant number of others are ready for the next step.

Attendants at the workshops represented a dynamic variety of industries, including tourism, catering, retail, haymaking, arts and concreting.

The results of these services not only assist the business owners, the benefits trickle out to the wider community as well.

“The businesses create confidence, self worth and employment opportunities in the regional towns and hopefully it engages the community as well,” Mr Tucker added.

“We identify what is needed to get people business-ready and then mentor them through the process.”

Another Getting Started in My Business workshop series will be rolled out in August.

For more information, call the team at Morrgul on 9193 5570.