Twelve women-led micro-businesses connected with supporters and investors at the 2024 Sister Pitch, hosted by the not-for-profit Global Sisters in partnership with Dentsu. The event provides a platform for small businesses to pitch to industry leaders, investors, and philanthropists. This year, participants received over $60,000 in pledges, along with support, services, and valuable connections.
“Large corporations and businesses are increasingly incorporating purpose and impact into their strategies, creating an excellent opportunity for driving significant change,” said Global Sisters CEO and founder, Mandy Richards.
Richards created Global Sisters and the Sister Pitch with the aim of providing women financial security via running their own businesses. The not-for-profit is particularly concerned with uplifting women who are unable to participate in mainstream employment or access decent, sustainable work. Last year, it secured over $700,000 in funding for Google to deliver a three-year business development program for women with disabilities.
Life-changing impacts
Each micro-business entered the Sister Pitch with three key “asks,” which Richards encouraged the room of investors to fulfill. Cyana Duong, founder of the preserved and artificial flowers brand Camie Fleur, was one of the first to have all her requests met. After two months of perfecting her pitch, Duong secured a free rebrand, opportunities to stock her products at Habitana and Bunnings, and offers to decorate corporate events for AMP and KPMG.
“I’m honestly surprised,” Duong said of her success.
Macarla Church, owner of artisan textiles and homewares brand Basera, also received offers to stock her products at Bunnings and Habitana. “I’m totally overwhelmed and grateful,” she shared.
Ginan Tabbouch, founder of Gtab Parfums, expressed a similar feeling. “I’m so overwhelmed. I know the second I get home, I’m going to burst into tears. You forget how kind people are. Everyone showed up in the biggest way.”
Tabbouch received a $15,000 pledge to assist with her packaging design and connected with The Iconic, which offered introductions to its buyers.
All the entrepreneurs ISB spoke to praised Global Sisters for its ongoing support. Duong noted that the organisation’s community and training has been invaluable over the years.
“Global Sisters has helped the most with financial structure and empowerment as a female entrepreneur,” she said.
Participating businesses
Below is a full list of the 12 women-led micro-businesses that pitched yesterday.
- Angie Poller – Remedii
- Catie Fry – Clovendoe Distilling Co.
- Corina Muir – Amber Days
- Cyana Duong – Camie Fleur
- Fiona Harrison – Chocolate on Purpose
- Ginan Tabbouch – GTAB PARFUMS
- Ira Puspita – Kayu&Co
- Kim Hutchinson – What Unites
- Macarla Church – Basera
- Madhuri Soni – Soni Health
- Nina Deng – Phorus Beauty
- Tania Walker – LPO Locum
