At The Growth Manager, we’ve always believed that business growth is about more than just strategy—it’s about building communities, fostering resilience, and creating a ripple effect of positive change. That’s why we’re proud to be part of the 2025 EmpowerHER program, an initiative developed and delivered by You Belong Australia in partnership with Ethni.
EmpowerHER is not just another development program—it’s a movement designed to provide refugee and migrant women in Toowoomba with the skills, confidence, and connection they need to explore entrepreneurship and take the next steps in their business journeys.
How We Got Involved
Our involvement in EmpowerHER grew from our long-standing partnership with the Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program, run by the Queensland Government. This program has allowed us to work with entrepreneurs and business owners across the state, and it’s through this connection that we were introduced to the powerful work of You Belong Australia.
After learning more about EmpowerHER, our founder and lead mentor, Angie Martin, knew she had to get involved. As someone who has built a business from scratch and faced her own challenges along the way, she felt a deep connection to the mission of supporting women through mentorship.
What EmpowerHER Is All About
EmpowerHER 2025 provides a safe and supportive environment where women from refugee and migrant backgrounds can come together to share their stories, learn new skills, and develop their confidence. Over a series of in-person workshops delivered in Toowoomba, participants explore personal growth, business ideation, and leadership—all in a culturally inclusive and trauma-informed space.
The program offers:
- Skill-building workshops on business planning, marketing, and leadership
- Opportunities to pitch business ideas or community initiatives
- Connections with volunteer mentors who support participants in developing their goals
It’s important to note that mentoring in this program occurs outside of workshop delivery. Each mentor is matched with a participant and provides support through one-on-one sessions outside of the program’s core activities.
This distinction ensures that the focus remains on the empowerment and self-determination of the participants, without centering their stories on hardship or displacement.
The Growth Manager’s Role
Angie Martin is volunteering her time as a mentor in the 2025 EmpowerHER program. While she won’t be presenting or facilitating program sessions, she is committed to supporting her matched mentee in the months ahead. This may include helping refine a business idea, reviewing a pitch, or simply providing a listening ear and strategic encouragement.
Through this role, Angie offers what The Growth Manager does best: practical growth-focused insights, kindness, and encouragement. It’s not about directing someone’s path—it’s about walking beside them as they forge their own.
As Angie says, “We’re not here to ‘fix’—we’re here to listen, encourage, and cheer them on as they take bold steps towards building something incredible.”
Why This Matters to Us
At The Growth Manager, we’re built on four core pillars:
- Community impact
- Access to education
- Authentic connection
- Business with heart
EmpowerHER reflects each of these values.
We’re especially drawn to this program because of its deep commitment to community-led change. The participants are not being told what to do—they are encouraged to lead, create, and grow in a way that aligns with their own values and lived experiences.
This approach to mentorship and entrepreneurship is something we’re deeply passionate about. It creates stronger, more resilient communities and offers meaningful opportunities for women who may have been excluded from traditional business support systems.
What We’ve Learned
Volunteering in programs like EmpowerHER always reminds us why we do what we do. Here are just a few lessons we’re reflecting on:
- Mentorship is not one-size-fits-all. It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them grow from there.
- Representation matters. Seeing someone believes in your business dream—especially when it comes from outside your immediate circle—can spark extraordinary change.
- Support doesn’t need to be grand to be powerful. Sometimes, one email, one conversation, or one moment of encouragement is enough to light the fire of belief.
- Collaboration strengthens communities. EmpowerHER isn’t just a mentoring program—it’s a celebration of collaboration across sectors, cultures, and experiences.
Shining a Light on You Belong Australia & Ethni
We want to take a moment to celebrate and recognise the organisations leading this work.
- You Belong Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting refugee and migrant communities to rebuild their lives through connection, empowerment, and opportunity.
- Ethni is a Toowoomba-based not-for-profit focused on amplifying the voices of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all.
These organisations are the driving force behind EmpowerHER. Their experience, compassion, and community leadership are what make this initiative so impactful—and we’re grateful to be aligned with their vision. 
How You Can Get Involved
If you’re passionate about supporting women, fostering inclusion, or mentoring future entrepreneurs, here’s how you can take action:
- Volunteer as a mentor through Mentoring for Growth or with community-led programs like EmpowerHER.
- Support You Belong Australia by spreading the word about their work or contributing financially.
- Follow along with our journey at The Growth Manager as we share updates from this experience.
You can also read more about our community values and involvement at thegrowthmanager.com.au/about.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 EmpowerHER program is a shining example of what happens when compassion meets action. It shows that when communities come together to support one another, extraordinary things happen.
We’re proud to be part of this initiative as a volunteer mentor, and we look forward to sharing more about the journey as it unfolds.
To You Belong Australia, Ethni, and all the participants of EmpowerHER 2025—thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you.
Because at the end of the day, when business growth is paired with community empowerment, magic truly happens.
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