THE 8 WEEK PROGRAM TO REALISE YOUR DREAM.
Accelerate your business and elevate your brand
Supported by
Presented by
BETTER BUSINESS INCUBATOR
Are you an early stage business owner looking to advance and grow to the next level?
Better Business Incubator is an 8 week program curated to provide entrepreneurs and upcoming business owners with relevant insights and valuable resources, to leverage your business into a successful one.
- 8 WEEK PROGRAM
- OVER HALF YOUR FEES PAID
- INSIGHTS & RESOURCES
- ONGOING ONLINE SUPPORT
- ACCESS TO EXPERTS
- BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
Presented by The Founders Co., a collective of strategic and creative founders who are highly experienced in business, we specialise in all things strategic planning, brand and marketing performance growth, digital strategy and content creation.
We’ll be selecting a small group of outstanding applicants to join us in this intimate program.
If you feel like you’ve reached a crossroads and you’re in-need of an injection of knowledge to take you to the next phase, the Better Business Incubator is perfect for you.
KEY DATES
Applications open | NOW
Applications close | Monday 29th March 2021
Program dates | 27th April – 24th June 2021
The Better Business Incubator program is proudly supported by the Maribyrnong City Council, further cementing the community as a thriving hub of innovative business leaders.
More than 50% of your program fee will be subsidised by Maribyrnong City Council, so register your interest now to better your business
F
ALL THE IMPORTANT STUFF
A jam packed 8 week program
THIS GAME CHANGING BUSINESS PROGRAM INCLUDES
– Access to the 8 Week Incubator program and curriculum
– Weekly virtual classroom workshops and masterclasses with over 15 expert presenters
– Incubator kick off event to meet your fellow participants and the Founders Co.
– Curriculum workbook, resources and hands-on exercises to implement each week
– Weekly online Q+A sessions and group mentoring with The Founders Co. experts
– Professional headshot photos taken for you and your business
– Ticket to the Maribyrnong City Council business showcase event
– The opportunity to pitch your business to the wider business community
REGISTRATION FEE
$1475 incl GST
Over 50% of your fees subsidised
This program is valued at over $4000. More than half of your fees will be subsidised by Maribyrnong City Council if you are a successful applicant.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAM
The Founders Co.
The Founders Co.
Experts redefining your business journey
So who’s behind all this? Let us introduce the The Founders Co., a group of experienced business founders and their expert teams, who specialise in all things strategic planning, brand and marketing, digital strategy, performance growth and content creation.
We’re passionate about sharing our stories, wealth of knowledge and experience to help people thrive on their business journey.
From business and financial coaching to marketing and design, The Founders Co. are committed to empowering go-getter business owners to be well educated, connected and confident with their business endeavours, to ultimately accelerate their business and elevate their brand.
We’re passionate about sharing our stories, wealth of knowledge and experience to help people thrive on their business journey.
From business and financial coaching to marketing and design, The Founders Co. are committed to empowering go-getter business owners to be well educated, connected and confident with their business endeavours, to ultimately accelerate their business and elevate their brand.
Inka Creative
Explorers of brands and architects of strategy, we dive deep into your business, uncover your essence and bring your brand to life, so that your people can find you and fall in love with you. We specialise in building connections with your audience by delivering powerful brand experiences and creative marketing campaigns that are as unique as you and your brand.
See website.
See website.
Peach Business
Peach Business is a business consultancy with a difference. We help you plan, launch, grow and understand your businesses. We believe in taking small, mighty steps towards growing your business. Instead of overnight success, we'll be by your side while you build a healthy, profitable business that will do great things.
See website.
See website.
JTB studios
With more than a decade of experience as a leading digital agency, JTB is dedicated to launching and growing businesses and brands that define tomorrow. Our user-centric approach to design, digital strategies and data- driven analytics allow us to deliver solutions which both our agency and clients can be proud of.
See website.
See website.
Inhouse Create
We help businesses, brands & artists communicate with their consumers, followers & audience through visual storytelling and immersive sounds. Our processes are simple, our outputs are engaging and our results are amazing. From the beginning to the end, we are your creative partner to express your story.
See website.
See website.
CML Studio
CML Studio is a photography studio specialising in commercial image making. With experience in large-scale image campaigns, content creation for digital platforms, and quality e-commerce product photography, CML Studio delivers the ‘big brand business’ with bespoke service and quality
See website.
See website.
Accelerate your business and elevate your brand
Our Program
Our Program
27.04.2021 - 11:30
Kick-off Event
The Founders Co.
An opportunity and meet + greet your fellow participants and the Founders Co, with a presentation from our guest speaker Fiona Triaca of Naked Ambition.
27.04.2021 - 12:00
Creative Thinking for Small Businesses
Fiona Triaca
Naked Ambition
How to bring innovation and design thinking into your small business.
Over 60 minutes, Fiona will be sharing some tips, tricks (and cheeky model or two) on how to drive creativity and innovation in teams and businesses.
29.04.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
Each week we'll have an expert available for a 2 hour online Q+A session where you can get your specific questions answered and dive a little deeper.
04.05.2021 - 11:30
What is a Brand? Understanding Brand and its Power
Sara Borowiak & Anucia de Boer
Inka Creative
We’ll dive deep into the key fundamentals that transform good businesses into great brands. Hear how to create a memorable and successful brand that connects with your ideal customer. The team at Inka Creative will give you everything you need to develop your own brand strategy and bring it to life through all of your touch points with practical examples to implement straight away.
04.05.2021 - 12:30
The new word of mouth: building your community through connection and partnerships
Sara Borowiak & Alanah Moir
Inka Creative
As the age old saying goes, it’s not what you know but who you know. Building relationships and fostering your online networks is one of the fastest and most valuable ways to grow your business.
In this session we’ll dive into how to secure strategic collaborations and partnerships with brands and influential people whose values and goals align with yours. Providing you with all of our tips and tricks to foster incredible relationships that elevate your business and increase your brand awareness, you’ll leave feeling excited and equipped to grow your network, your reach and your online community.
06.05.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
The program has everything you need to take your brand and business into its next chapter. Take a browse of the weekly program of activities. Starting with our in-person kick off session with keynote speaker and followed by weekly online masterclass workshops, weekly ‘expert hours’ where you’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to the expert founders and culminating in a celebration business event.
11.05.2021 - 11:30
The importance of photography
Clare Martin Lapworth
CML Studio
Creating effective on-brand content for your business and why good imagery is important for your brand. We’ll run through ways to use available tools such as iPhones, tips and tricks on styling a photo set up and the do's and don't of using natural light. Plus, we’ll go through how to curate your images to have the best impact for your brand.
11.05.2021 - 12:30
The power of video
John Servedio
In House Create
Create powerful video and audio and learn how to use it for maximum impact within your business. We will introduce video content and how to use it within your business and where to use it to connect with your audience and share your story.
13.05.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
The program has everything you need to take your brand and business into its next chapter. Take a browse of the weekly program of activities. Starting with our in-person kick off session with keynote speaker and followed by weekly online masterclass workshops, weekly ‘expert hours’ where you’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to the expert founders and culminating in a celebration business event.
18.05.2021 - 11:30
Business Strategy: Building and growing your business the right way
Fiona Johnston
Peach Business Management
Use the business model canvas to put your business together the right way, even if you’ve been in business for many years
Focus on your unique value proposition, work out who you need in your networks, learn how to think from your customer’s perspective and tease out your income streams. This session will help you to unpack what you need to do well to succeed.
18.05.2021 - 12:30
Pitching with influence
Jess Rufus
Collabosaurus
Pitching is an essential part of running a business, whether it’s pitching for a new client, a stockist or an investor, pitching with influence is crucial. Learn to perfect your pitch deck and sell your story and the value of your business.
20.05.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
The program has everything you need to take your brand and business into its next chapter. Take a browse of the weekly program of activities. Starting with our in-person kick off session with keynote speaker and followed by weekly online masterclass workshops, weekly ‘expert hours’ where you’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to the expert founders and culminating in a celebration business event.
25.05.2021 - 11:30
Legal Foundations
Josh Sharma
Luna Startups
We give you the low down on essential things you need to set up your business, from ideal startup structures, to founders agreements and vesting, IP and hiring basics.
25.05.2021 - 12:00
Building a Business with Purpose
Josh Sharma
Luna Startups
How to incorporate purpose and impact within your business. We take you through your options of structures to ensure you have sustainable and lasting positive impact.
25.05.2021 - 12:30
Money Mindset
Fiona Johnston
Peach Business Management
Unpack your underlying money beliefs. Consider the impact of these beliefs on your income and profitability. Build new money habits and beliefs, curate a profit mindset and be intentional about money and finances.
27.05.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
The program has everything you need to take your brand and business into its next chapter. Take a browse of the weekly program of activities. Starting with our in-person kick off session with keynote speaker and followed by weekly online masterclass workshops, weekly ‘expert hours’ where you’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to the expert founders and culminating in a celebration business event.
Read more
01.06.2021 - 11:30
Digital Marketing Success
Jeremy Bogdanowicz
JTB Studios
Learn how to use digital marketing to grow your business and win customers with the four proven steps of digital success. The session will cover digital strategy, user experience and using digital channels such as search and social effectively. Leave with practical tips you can implement in your own business yourself.
01.06.2021 - 12:30
Accessing Grants
Maribyrnong City Council
Learn what the grants administrators are looking for in a grant application.
03.06.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
The program has everything you need to take your brand and business into its next chapter. Take a browse of the weekly program of activities. Starting with our in-person kick off session with keynote speaker and followed by weekly online masterclass workshops, weekly ‘expert hours’ where you’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to the expert founders and culminating in a celebration business event.
08.06.2021 - 11:30
Cash Flow & Forecasting
Fiona Johnston
Peach Business Management
Get the skills and tools to manage and plan your business finances so you always know where you’re headed.
08.06.2021 - 12:30
Carving out your niche
Kate Forsyth
Good Day Club
Hear how Kate Forsyth turned her creativity into a business and found her own unique position within a new industry using her corporate communications background. Learn how to do this.
08.06.2021 - 13:00
Using your voice- An introduction to podcasting
Inhouse Create
Learn about the tools and techniques you’ll need to create and use podcasts to grow your business and reach more people.
10.06.2021 - 19:30
Online Expert Hours
Various
The program has everything you need to take your brand and business into its next chapter. Take a browse of the weekly program of activities. Starting with our in-person kick off session with keynote speaker and followed by weekly online masterclass workshops, weekly ‘expert hours’ where you’ll have the chance to ask questions directly to the expert founders and culminating in a celebration business event.
Read more
15.06.2021 - 11:30
Put it into practice
The Founders
Put what you've learnt into practice, pitch your business to the group and the founders, gain and give feedback to hone your skills.
15.06.2021 - 12:30
Program Completion
The Founders
Q&A session to complete the program.
Apply today
Applications are now open for business owners who are wanting to better their business.
If you want to take your business to the next level and learn from a group of experts, industry leaders and founders, this is the perfect opportunity for you to get that injection of knowledge you need to achieve your dreams.
Apply now
Connecting you to a network of industry experts
Our speakers
Our speakers
As business owners ourselves, The Founders Co. are passionate about sharing our collective experience and connecting you to our networks. Immerse yourself in the program’s weekly masterclass workshops led by ourselves, our teams and other industry leaders.
In each session you’ll work through projects and exercises that can be implemented into your business straight away. We’ll also be hosting weekly Q +As, giving you the opportunity to pick the brains of the experts on each of our topics and get support on those specific areas that you need help in.
In each session you’ll work through projects and exercises that can be implemented into your business straight away. We’ll also be hosting weekly Q +As, giving you the opportunity to pick the brains of the experts on each of our topics and get support on those specific areas that you need help in.
01
Peach Business Management
Fiona Johnston
Founder
Fiona is a Chartered Accountant who is all about impact, and no bean counter. Fi works with purpose led business owners to make sure they make an impact and a healthy profit. She helps business owners make better decisions via powerful conversations and tailored business plans and forecasts. She mentors businesses that are a force for good, and her clients keep coming back because she truly makes a difference to them.
02
Inka Creative
Sara Borowiak
Founder & Creative Director
Inka Creative’s Founder and Creative Director, Sara Borowiak, has a passion for connecting people to the things that matter to them most and a distinct ability to weave a memorable brand together from scratch. With over 15 years experience working globally in marketing, events and brand strategy, Sara created an agency that helps brands grow through better communication and creative strategy. Her and her team dream up big ideas and imaginative solutions that help brands stand out.
03
Inhouse Create
John Servedio
Founding Partner
John is a content producer and co-founder of Inhouse Create. After being introduced to a guitar at a young age, John felt that something had been unlocked in him - a powerful desire to create. This desire evolved, leading John into production where he discovered a passion for helping businesses, brands and artists communicate through visual storytelling and immersive sounds. He combines his intuitive creativity with a knack for problem-solving to express someone’s story from beginning to end.
04
CML Studio
Clare Lapworth
Director
Clare has a background managing brands and crafting images, spanning more than 15 years. Influencing campaigns through visual means for over a decade has led Clare to develop an intimate understanding of the power of image construction to communicate a message. She has used this, together with other core disciplines including media management and engagement, in the choreography of significant campaigns. Qualified in professional photography and director of CML Studio, Clare focuses on considered and strategic commercial and product photography.
05
JTB Studios
Jeremy Bogdanowicz
Director
With close to 20 years experience in the digital industry, Jeremy has a great love for all forms of creativity, technology and results-driven digital engagement. Establishing JTB Studios in 2003, these days Jeremy and his team of 25 digital specialists get to work with amazing organisations and brands such as; The United Nations, Bendigo Bank, Nissan, Ford Australia, Crown Casino, and Woolies + many phenomenal start-ups and VC’s. JTB Studios has been awarded over 48 International Design and Digital Awards.
06
Naked Ambition
Fiona Triaca
Founder & CEO
Fiona is the founder and CEO of Naked Ambition, a design-led innovation company. She is dedicated to innovation culture and helping corporate mavericks become innovator-champions! Fiona’s passion has delivered new methods and approaches and cemented Naked Ambition as an innovation strategy, capability and delivery partner, allowing her clients to make a genuine contribution to their work. Fiona regularly speaks and facilitates on the subject of design thinking and innovation with emerging leaders and company boards.
07
Inka Creative
Anucia de Boer
Brand + Project Strategist
With over 10 years experience in brand and marketing strategy and project management, Anucia has a wealth of knowledge and an undeniable knack for communicating people’s visions. She’s passionate about helping people understand ‘brand’ and how they can use the power of brand to grow their business. Her natural affinity for honing in on what makes a business special and developing creative strategies to connect with an audience is second to none.
08
Luna Startups
Josh Sharma
Head of Labs & Startups
Josh is the Head of Labs & Startups at LUNA. LUNA works with startups to help them grow and scale by offering legal, financial, educational and strategic services. Josh has a broad range of experience advising startups on a range of matters across the lifecycle - from structuring and employee incentives to capital raising. Josh is also an experienced facilitator, working with major school, universities and organisations to deliver meaningful workshops and education for entrepreneurs and startups
09
Collabosaurus
Jess Ruhfus
Founder & CEO
Jess is the Founder of Collabosaurus, a marketing platform that match-makes brands for clever collaborations & partnerships. With a background in fashion publicity and marketing education, Jess was frustrated sourcing brand partnerships in events, products & social media. Since 2015, the business has attracted over 7500 brands including Porsche, ASOS, Olay and Topshop. Jess won the 2019 B&T 30 Under 30 award in Entrepreneurship, & has spoken for Apple, Vogue, General Assembly & The College of Event Management.
10
Inhouse Create
Robert Monaco
Director
After years working behind the scenes in events and hospitality, Robert completed a double degree in Management & Marketing at Monash University which led him through a series of business opportunities before joining John & Martin at Inhouse Create. A perfectionist through and through, Robert’s passion lies in building meaningful relationships with clients, understanding their goals, managing their expectations and delivering amazing content.
11
Inka Creative
Alanah Moir
Marketing Projects Manager
Alanah Moir has her finger on the pulse of all things within the digital and social landscape. She has a true talent for seeing synergies between brands and finding great opportunities for collaborative relationships and brand partnerships. Combining her understanding of people with a strategic and analytic approach, she specialises in discovering creative solutions that help businesses achieve their goals. She is driven by her passion for leading projects with a focus on killer brand, marketing and digital strategies.
12
Inhouse Create
Martin Alexander Arentsen
Creative Director
Martin is a content creator and co-founder of Inhouse Create. Originally coming from a background in advertising and graphic design, Martin changed his path and focus to video production. He now has more than 5 years experience working with both established brands and start-up businesses. With his simple processes, Martin works closely with his clients to deliver a range of engaging content to support their brands, products and services, and tell their story.
13
Good Day Club
Kate Forsyth
Co-Founder & Creative Director
Kate is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Melbourne vintage furniture hire and event styling legends, Good Day Club. Kate and her team design and style rad, non-traditional and fun weddings and events. Their unique approach has seen them carve out a niche in the events industry, creating a brand and business model that also breaks from tradition. With a background in corporate communications, Kate captures the audience with her words and can turn any room into an oasis to end all parties.
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