Empowering Our Young Female Entrepreneurs
At Santa Maria College, we are committed to providing our students with the tools and opportunities to succeed in leadership roles. As part of our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, we developed the young entrepreneur’s program, Women in Business. This group is now in its second year and aims to encourage students to develop ideas for their own businesses while teaching them skills on how to get a business up and running.
The Women in Business group has been a tremendous success, and we are proud of our young female entrepreneurs who have participated in the program. Isla Taylor and Sanara Wijesinghe, two Year 8 students, are shining examples of the creativity and ambition that this group fosters.
Isla’s business, Let it Grow Plants, sells potted plants. She started her business to earn money and learn about the world of economics. Isla grew up with a mum who is a plant lover, inspiring her to share their love for plants with others. Isla found the process of making the plants very rewarding, and Women in Business helped her realise the different aspects of having a business. She hopes to continue her business by expanding outside of school to the East Perth IGA.
Sanara’s business, Light it Up!, sells handmade scented soy candles. She started her business because she loves candles and thought it would be fun to make her own. Sanara has enjoyed the experience because she gets to be creative and have a lot of freedom with how she wants to make her products. She values the guidance and tips she has received on how to start a small business and how to improve it too. Sanara plans to continue her candle business in the future and expand it.
Through the Women in Business program, Isla and Sanara have developed essential skills that will help them in their future careers as businesswomen. They have learned how to run a business, manage money and profits, and make the most out of their business. They have also learned the importance of being organised and resilient.
This week, Sanara and Isla had the opportunity to showcase their businesses to students and staff, alongside other members of the Women in Business group, at the Mother’s Day stall. The Plaza was bustling with activity as customers looked for the perfect gifts for their mothers or treated themselves to something special.
At Santa Maria College, we believe in empowering our young female entrepreneurs and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in business and leadership roles. Women in Business is just one way we are working towards achieving this goal. We are excited to see what the future holds for our young female entrepreneurs and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the business world.
- Featured, Learning for Life, Social Innovation
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.