The advocate

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Dina Petrakis

Global manager of Ignite Small Business Start-Ups

“People talk about helping refugees and asylum seekers become independent and confident but Ignite does more than that – we give them agency,” says Dina Petrakis. It’s a subtle yet crucial distinction of the Sydney-based refugee business initiative the 57-year-old established in 2013 for not-for-profit organisation Settlement Services International. “We not only help people find financial independence but also their voice so they’re able to represent themselves, their families and their communities.”

Ignite’s one-to-one model pairs an entrepreneur with a facilitator for anywhere from six weeks to three years. “We coach, support, advocate – whatever needs to be done to start their business,” she says. Now numbering in the hundreds, success stories include hairstylists and beauty therapists, tradies, actors, interior designers and food and hospitality startups.

With a background in teaching and teacher training that’s seen her work around the world, Petrakis believes growing up with Greek migrant parents was unconscious preparation. “I didn’t realise until I took this job that I’ve been facilitating for my parents since I was eight, going with them to the doctor, translating letters, giving advice,” she says. It’s an upbringing common among her staff. “How we helped our families is how we support entrepreneurs.”

In 2019 the Ignite model, which has expanded to include Ignite Ability for entrepreneurs with disability, was licensed to the Canadian government. This year Petrakis hopes to further extend the program globally as well as into regional Australia.

“Ignite doesn’t consist of infrastructure,” she says. “If you can afford a facilitator you’ve got the program.”