Entrepreneur aims to inspire other women
ACCEPTING a board position on the Townsville Regional Indigenous Network has been one of Alana Kennedy’s most fulfilling roles.
The Townsville businesswoman, who is a former vice- president of Arbonne International and is now establishing her own skincare business, said she accepted the role to help amplify regional dialogue on female indigenous entrepreneurship.
“I have a hunger to stir the belief in the spirit of others and I believed that my involvement and personal development journey could influence the awakening in others,” she said.
“My culture has been innovators for generations.
“I recently took part in program with Indigenous Business Australia and Investible Accelerator program which has given me opportunities to receive guidance and mentorship with Australian leading minds in business, along with connections and the confidence to develop my own business.
“Ochre Bloke is a business that allows for the marriage of both my passions being skincare and culture.
“It will harness the power of native Australian botanicals and health and wellness education to change the face of men’s skincare.”
Ms Kennedy said she revelled in directing the Women Into Business program with the Townsville Re- gional Indigenous Network. The network is a not- for- profit incorporated association that aims to advocate on behalf of indigenous business, build capacity of indigenous businesses, foster trade opportunities and gener- ate wealth for its indigenous business members.
Ms Kennedy said the network would put together a committee that would launch its first “Into Business Education and Networking Event” on April 19.
“The committee will drive the agenda to connect and develop the capabilities of indigenous women who have a thirst to build a business,” she said.
“At the April event, we’ll have an inspirational visiting speaker in Leah Cameron of Marrawah Law.”
Ms Kennedy, a mother to two daughters, said as she got older, she had found a deeper and richer connection to her culture.
“My passion is my culture and having the ability to inspire others using my own … journey,” she said.
“As the elders pass on I feel it is my gift to our culture to link arms with other powerful indigenous women that want to make a difference.”
Ms Kennedy said she was excited to be invited to speak about mentorship at the Indigenous Business Australia “Strong Women, Strong Business” conference in Adelaide in May.
Go to tribn.com.au.