Thanks to support from an innovative State Government program and a lot of hard work, these women have turned their passions into thriving businesses. Could you be next?
LaunchMe is a partnership between the Department of Human Services and Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand. It’s designed to empower women by offering no-interest loans up to $5,000, personalised business coaching and resources to help them start, develop and grow their own small businesses.
Already, the program has supported 31 women during the 2023-24 financial year alone, and it has secured funding to continue until June 2025.
While these numbers are impressive, they only scratch the surface. The true impact of LaunchMe is reflected in the personal journeys of the women it supports – women with real dreams, facing real challenges, who now have the tools to change their lives.
Cutting a new path: Specialised hairdressing for those who need it most
“I was never going to be anything but a hairdresser,” says Natalie Amos. “My mum will tell you I used to cut all my dolls’ hair when I was little.” Today, she runs Adore Mobile Hairdressing, a business that offers in-home hairdressing services for children with autism and elderly clients in care facilities – and she’s run off her feet with the amount of bookings she receives.
But getting her business off the ground wasn’t without challenges. Natalie is a single mother of two children with autism, and she is also autistic. In 2020, her life took an unexpected turn. “I had a seizure and ended up in the hospital. After an 18-hour surgery to remove a brain tumour, everything changed. I couldn’t work. I couldn’t live alone with my kids,” she says.
During her recovery, the idea for her business was born. “I noticed a real need for specialised hairdressing services. Many kids with autism struggle with the noise and unfamiliarity of a busy salon,” Natalie says.
Succeeding in business despite the odds
Despite facing ongoing health challenges – including a metal plate in her head and regular MRIs to monitor the remaining tumour – Natalie launched her business in 2021 with the support of LaunchMe. Even on her toughest days, her determination keeps her going. “No matter how I’m feeling, people depend on me. So, even when I’m having a bad day, I still show up.”
Running her own business has also given Natalie the flexibility to balance her health and her children’s needs. “It was the best decision I ever made. I get to help people, and some days it doesn’t even feel like work – it’s just fun,” she says. “Plus, I can schedule my appointments around my family’s health needs.”
Trust and connection: A different kind of haircare
For Natalie, hairdressing is about much more than cutting hair – it’s about building trust. Her approach is informed by her lived experience with autism. “I had one boy who wouldn’t let anyone touch his head. I found out he loved numbers, so we counted together as I brushed his hair. Over time, he let me finish brushing his whole head,” she says.
Her work with elderly clients is just as meaningful. She visits nursing homes to bring joy to people who can’t easily leave. “It’s amazing how much a haircut can lift someone’s spirits,” she says. “I love hearing their stories about falling in love and living through the war. And I always try to make them smile.”
Healing through arts and animals
Michelle Williams never thought she’d be running her own business combining arts psychotherapy with animal-assisted therapy. With 35 years in the community services sector, mostly working with people with disabilities, her journey into entrepreneurship was far from straightforward.
“I’ve always worked for others. At one point, I even co-founded a business, but after four years, the partnership broke down. That was a really challenging time,” Michelle says. It was after this difficult period that she completed a degree in arts psychotherapy and decided to pursue her own path.
Charlotte: The therapy dog changing lives one paw at a time
“A friend suggested I train a therapy dog, and that changed everything,” Michelle says. Today, she runs Adelaide Arts Psychotherapy and Therapy Dog Services, taking her services on the road, from Adelaide to the Yorke Peninsula. “I love the freedom of being on the open road and working in regional areas,” she says.
Her business offers a unique blend of art therapy and animal-assisted therapy, helping clients express emotions in ways that traditional talk therapy might not allow. “Some people don’t have the words for their pain or suffering, but through art, they can work through it,” she says.
Her therapy dog, Charlotte, has also been transformative for her clients. “I had one child I just couldn’t connect with. But when I brought in Charlotte, he immediately connected with her, which helped him connect to me,” Michelle says.
LaunchMe: A lifeline for new entrepreneurs
Both Natalie and Michelle credit LaunchMe’s mentorship program for providing crucial support during their entrepreneurial journeys.
“The LaunchMe program was so beneficial,” says Michelle. “Having someone to check in with regularly and use as a sounding board was really helpful.”
“LaunchMe helped me to successfully turn a profit, despite the brain tumour,” says Natalie. “The LaunchMe program and my coach were amazing and supportive. They helped me not only grow my business, but also regain my health.”
Why Supporting Women in Business Matters
Research shows that while women own 35-38 per cent of Australia’s small businesses, they still face more barriers than men – especially when it comes to accessing capital and balancing business with family responsibilities. Supporting women through programs like LaunchMe is crucial not only for individual success stories but for changing the landscape of entrepreneurship in South Australia.
“I think women need to own their power and step into it,” says Michelle. “If you can follow your heart, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.”
Natalie says women shouldn’t be afraid to take that first step. “You never know who will believe in your idea and help you make it happen.”
Your launchpad awaits
If you’re a South Australian woman with a big dream for a small business, LaunchMe could be the support you need for success. The program is open to women earning under $75,000 with a viable business idea.
LaunchMe also provides referrals to Good Shepherd’s financial wellbeing services, aiming to help women from all backgrounds, including those who are financially vulnerable.
It comes on the back of the State Government’s highly successful $4 million Women in Business
Program. This supported 2000 women to grow their businesses by as much as 40 per cent through access to subsidised mentoring and training.
For more information, click here or call 1300 099 998.
