The Dhinawan Project is a 6-month intensive business and mentoring program for Aboriginal Yinaar makers, creators and cultural practitioners from Regional and Remote NSW who seek economic independence by developing or growing their creative, cultural and cottage industry business ideas.

Delivered in a hybrid model with both online and face-to-face residencies, The Dhinawan Project is co-designed with the Yinaar to support the needs of the participants to ensure success, and through the program, participants will develop skills, tools, strategies and resources to accelerate their business idea.

Yinaar are supported and mentored to develop their business plan, marketing strategy and networks while ensuring they understand the business eco-system, including finances, marketing, product development, legal, insurance and tax.

Aboriginal makers, creators and cultural practitioners, especially women, have long been disenfranchised by the lack of recognition of the diversity and uniqueness of the Regional and Remote NSW Aboriginal arts and culture sector and have limited access to support for the industry on a local, regional, state, national and international stage.

Aboriginal makers, creators, and cultural practitioners, particularly women from Regional and Remote NSW, have historically not been recognised for their diversity and uniqueness. This has resulted in limited access to support for the industry at all levels, from local to international.

This professional development project aims to provide accessible options for Aboriginal Yinaar in Regional and Remote NSW. The project includes leadership and mentoring opportunities to help cultivate contemporary business ideas rooted in solid foundations.

You are capable of success and have the ability and worthiness to succeed.

You can see the potential in your business; you might have a great business idea but need some help to get it off the ground or accelerate it to the next level.

Having a strong support system is crucial for success as an Aboriginal woman. With a reliable network, you can find motivation and encouragement to pursue your business ideas and turn them into reality.

You should do this program because you have a great idea and will be supported by this network of strong Aboriginal women who want to see you succeed and will have your back through this program and for years to come.

Remember, Keep pushing forward with the support of your tribe behind you.

This program is designed for Yinaar entrepreneurs in Regional & Remote NSW who are committed to creating a better future and willing to invest time in launching or growing their businesses.

The program welcomes various industry ideas, such as cultural tourism, performance, visual arts, weaving, fashion, cultural products, textiles, and design.

Your business can be in the creative, cultural, or cottage industries without cultural aspect or focus.

You will need more than a great idea to succeed in this program and your business venture.

You will need reliable transport to attend the residencies at The Art Shack Wallabadah, these sessions are a requirement of the program.

You'll also need a laptop or computer with internet access for mentoring and residencies. Make sure all of your business documents and programs are stored on the computer you plan to use.

The funding agreement for this project does require that participants provide a Certificate of Aboriginality or a correctly signed Statutory Declaration (we will provide this for you).

This program offers unlimited support from Lorrayne. You can schedule calls, email, or text anytime for assistance. This ensures you receive comprehensive guidance throughout your journey.

Throughout this residency, our primary focus will be on Business Fundamentals. The content will cover a wide range of topics, such as:

Goal Setting: Identifying short-term and long-term objectives for your business.

Business Finances: Understanding the financial aspects of running a business, including cash flow management, budgeting, and financial forecasting.

Your Elevator Pitch: Crafting a compelling and concise pitch to effectively convey your business idea to potential investors, partners, and customers.

1-Page Business Canvas: Developing a streamlined, visual representation of your business model to identify key components and relationships within your organization.

Value Proposition: Defining the unique combination of products, services, and features that sets your business apart from competitors and appeals to your target market.

Statutory Obligations: Familiarizing yourself with the legal and regulatory requirements that may impact your business operations, such as taxes, licenses, and permits.

The second residency offers an opportunity to review and consolidate the knowledge gained during Residency 1 and individual mentoring sessions. This stage primarily concentrates on crucial business aspects such as:

Identifying and engaging your target customer base.

Developing effective branding and marketing strategies.

Managing risks.

Crafting compelling capability statements.

These components are essential in establishing a strong foundation for any business, enabling it to thrive and succeed in the competitive market.

Mentoring and one-on-one sessions will be held on Zoom for easy access. Participants are expected to attend 14 one-hour sessions, with 10 dedicated to mentoring and the remaining 4 for strategy sessions and co-writing of business and marketing plans.

Our sessions can be customised to focus on the areas where you need more help and less on those you are already confident in. Each session will provide tools and resources tailored to your business. Some topics we cover include discovering your entrepreneurial style, business fundamentals, elevator pitches, identifying your ideal customer, business administration, cost structures, revenue streams, financial forecasting, setting up your tribe, marketing, branding, and capability statements.

Participants are responsible for scheduling their mentoring sessions via the provided QR Code link.

If sessions need to occur outside regular business hours, we will work with you to find a suitable time.

Before starting the project, it is necessary to have dependable internet access and to download the free Zoom platform.

This program will give participants the skills and confidence needed to pitch to potential clients, partners, and funding bodies successfully.

By the end of the program, each participant will have a solid support system in place, a well-developed business plan and marketing strategy, established social media and marketing platforms, as well as having your business registered.