How We Work

To get started, we work with clients to understand their motivation for contacting us, and learning about their goals.   We then assess whether clients are ready for 1) our skill building opportunities, 2) our 1:1 mentoring program, or 3) our networking opportunities.

If a client is not ready with their idea for self employment, we will provide guidance on pathways for building more skills and experience.

Only when a client has 1) a clear self-employment or business idea, 2) skills and experience to match the idea, 3)passion and enthusiasm and 4)time and capacity to actually work hard to build on their idea, will we accept the client into the 1:1 mentoring program.

In the Ignite mentoring program, we match the client with an experienced facilitator who walks alongside them each step of the way, tailoring the support to the individual. If they need business support with setting up on ABN, or perhaps it is marketing support to set up a social campaign, or getting access to markets or customers, we essentially lift their exposure to customers, lift capability and elevate their support network for ongoing success.

We do all of this working at the pace of the client which might take one month, one year and more – working mindfully with people who have additional barriers and reasons that they may not be able to move quickly through the steps to starting a business.

To ensure we support sustainable and long term ideas, we curate a business Ecosystem of System around each client.   These connections between our clients and volunteer and low cost supporters is unique to the Ignite program, and is a unique point of difference between our program and other support programs.

Ignite Client Journey

Our team will guide and connect the client with a curated support plan to help them turn their passion into possibility.

First we like to understand more about why you contacted us, what support you are looking for and what your end goal is.

Based on our conversation, we will give you advice on whether you need to spend more time developing your skills and experience before joining our mentoring program.    We have lots of opportunities for you to join us for workshops and networking until you are ready.

To be able to be considered for the Ignite 1:1 mentoring program, you will need;

  • A clear idea for self employment ( we do not develop multiple ideas- you need a single idea)
  • Skills and experience that match your idea.   For example, if you wish to start a business teaching guitar, you need to have guitar teaching skills
  • Passion and motivation.  Starting up your own gig will have its challenges!   The only way to survive the challenges is to have a high level of motivation.
  • You need to have time and capacity to develop the idea.   We are not going to start or run this operation for you.  You will be doing all the work and we will be guiding and connecting you.
  • The idea must be legal.

Still not sure if self-employment is for you?   Join one of our sessions to learn about the fundamentals that you will need to include in your self-employment journey.

We offer a number of opportunities to learn more.  These skill building activities are offered in formats that are fun, conversational, interactive and provide lots of choice for working at your pace.

So now you have spent some time ensuring your idea is real and you have been through the fundamentals course.   You will be given some tasks or homework to test your motivation.   If you can achieve those tasks, then you will be matched with your new facilitator.  This is an exciting milestone!   Time to enjoy 1:1 mentoring.

In this stage, you will develop or strengthen the components of your business. This may include trading requirements, compliance, financial management, marketing and lots and lots of product and service testing.   We will connect you with industry experts to help you progress through this stage.  For every step your facilitator will be walking alongside you.

Our goal is to help you operate independently with confidence.   In talking with your facilitator, there will be a point when you do not need regular 1:1 mentoring.   Your service or business will be listed on the Ignite Business Directory. We will continue to send you any opportunities to join us for upskilling, networking and if relevant, we can offer economic opportunities for your business.  For example, some of Ignite’s past clients regularly supply catering support to SSI and Ignite.

Volunteers, Low Bono and Pro Bono Supporters

In the Ignite mentoring program, we will engage with and bring volunteers and specialist supporters into the mix.   This extended support network is critical to building sustainable long lasting enterprises.

Being part of the Ignite Volunteer and Supporter group is a rewarding experience. We are grateful and appreciate the support, however we do have some expectations to ensure best possible support for our entrepreneurs, such as:

  • minimum of six months commitment in our pool of volunteers
  • professional and ethical conduct
  • a willingness and desire to help people with barriers to receiving mainstream support

If this sounds like something you’d like to explore further, hit the button below to get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Ignite:

Ignite is a social enterprise that enables individuals to learn, be mentored and connect, helping them to grow through the power of their own ideas.  Ignite supports individuals with a curiosity for self-employment from CALD, disability and First Nations communities.  Ignite has a growing niche in the area of intersectional support, whereby individuals we support experience more than one barrier to participation and in 2024 our focus is women who experience these intersectional barriers.

IgniteAbility is a tailored program that is design by and for people with disability.  The program delivers support at the pace, capacity and capability of the client.

Ignite head office is based in Marrickville, NSW, however we have Ignite hubs operating across Greater Sydney   We also operate in Victoria, with a bug in Greater Melbourne,    We can support people remotely from across the East Coast of Australia.

Ignite Support:

Ignite is a self funded social enterprise.    We are reliant on funding, and this means that our eligibility changes from time to time.  Our workshops and networking events are generally accessible to all.    However our 1:1 mentoring is funding specific.

To find out our current eligibility for 1:1 mentoring, visit our Referral Page.

To be able to be considered for the Ignite 1:1 mentoring program, you will need;

  • A clear idea for self employment ( we do not develop multiple ideas- you need a single idea)
  • Skills and experience that match your idea.   For example, if you wish to start a business teaching guitar, you need to have guitar teaching skills
  • Passion and motivation.  Starting up your own gig will have its challenges!   The only way to survive the challenges is to have a high level of motivation.
  • You need to have time and capacity to develop the idea.   We are not going to start or run this operation for you.  You will be doing all the work and we will be guiding and connecting you.
  • The idea must be legal.

Contact us if you are unsure if you are ready.

We do not provide any funding for your business.

We have previously supported entrepreneurs in other regional areas. Email us at ignite@ssi.org.au with your enquiry and we’ll contact you to discuss.