By Kyra Gillespie
One lucky small business owner has been given a $10,000 leg-up thanks to H&R Block’s national Grants for Growth initiative.
Officer local Carina Tomietto won the grant for her business Finders and Makers, which sources stylish and contemporary handmade fair trade women’s accessories from artisans around the world.
Finders and Makers is one of twenty small businesses around Australia to have been selected for the grant.
Ms Tomietto was presented with the cheque on Friday 9 November at H&R Block Berwick.
“It’s the first time the business has received any sort of grant, it’s very exciting,” Ms Tomietto said.
“This is going to be concentrating on Finders and Makers, helping women gain financial independence in developing nations.”
The grants were awarded by H&R Block with the support of Officeworks, to give a boost to budding small companies, so their creators can focus realising their ambitions and on growing their business.
“The $10,000 is made up of cash, gift vouchers from Officeworks, along with some bookkeeping and business service advice,” H&R Block Berwick’s Michelle Fullarton said.
“Finders and Makers is such a worthy recipient and this money will help Carina grow the brand and continue to support these women.”
Founded in September 2017, Ms Tomietto embarked on the business venture in the hopes that she could use her not-for-profit knowledge to help women in a sustainable way.
After completing a post-graduate in social impact, her interest was focused on finding ways to help women achieve financial independence through the power of business.
“I wanted to help women make a start as entrepreneurs; I wanted to expand their skills beyond the tourist market and get their creations out into the world,” Ms Tomietto said.
With the grant, Ms Tomietto intends to participate in trade shows, helping Finders and Makers gain exposure to a wholesale market nationally and drive more publicity.
She hopes to work with H&R Block on setting up her business on Quickbooks, advice on setting up accounts and bank accounts, trust structures, insurances and other scaling requirements such as warehousing, packing and global shipping.
“After operating primarily from social media I want to look at wholesaling. When it comes to jewellery women often want to touch and experience the product.
“It’s hard to get into the wholesale market as it can cost $5000 to $10,000 just to host a stall.
“This money is going to go a long way in making that a reality.”
Appealing to the conscious consumer, every item sold on Finders and Makers is accompanied by an online blog explaining the origins of the product, the maker, where they came from and their story.
“The story behind each piece is really important; I want people to get to know the Maker when they purchase a piece. I’m on the lookout for like-minded businesses who may wish to feature the products and their stories in their collection.”
Each selected small business received $10,000 after pitching their business in answer to the question: what makes you deserving of a grant?
