The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Resource Centre has received a $297,400 grant from the federal government through the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program.
The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Resource Centre has received a $297,400 grant from the federal government through the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program.
Located at the Belmont Business Centre, TCF WA is understood to be the only organisation in Australia helping the sector’s young entrep-reneurs. It provides support and specialised resources, such as a library containing international trade publications, label and textile directories, advice for textile artists, fashion designers and raw material suppliers.
It also showcases fashion designers’ work in the retail outlet designedge (Belmont Forum Shopping Centre), claimed to be the largest community fashion incubator in Australia.
TCF WA plans to use the funding to strengthen its national network, focusing on electronic support by setting up an information web site and online mentoring program.
The funding will assist the creation of a national TCF directory as well as national TCF support centre, develop a designedge fashion incubator network, a product development training and mentoring program, and a specialised wool workshop.
Carol Hanlon created the organisation in 1998 after moving from Victoria to Western Australia. Formerly an independent designer, Ms Hanlon is also manager and facilitator at the Belmont Business Enterprise Centre Inc (BEC), created in 1994.
“One of the things I do is that I’m a business facilitator,” Ms Hanlon told WA Business News.
“I connect people together. I connect inventors with manufacturers, people who are looking for specialised staff, investors with small firms looking to expand their business. I sort of disseminate information; help people understand about joint ventures, licenses or royalty agreements.
“Having 27 years’ experience in that industry…I am very aware of how difficult it can be to get started and survive.”
TCF industries face their share of hurdles. For fashion designers, the first of these is to transform their art into a tradable product. TCF sectors, particularly the fashion sector, are cash-poor industries, so designers need strong financial planning to survive the first few seasons of their business.
With the federal program funding, and encouraged by the success of her concept throughout Australia, Ms Hanlon wants to expand from the state level.
“It [TCF WA] has developed quite a unique reputation for the work that it has been doing in WA,” she said.
“In 2002 it was recognised in a federal government report as a role model that should be replicated in each state of Australia.”
Nine initiatives are proposed, including the establishment of a TCF business skills project titled ‘TCF Australia’, which will provide business skills workshops and industry forums across Australia during 2006-2008.
“What I would like to do with the national project is to get other state governments to assist with establishing similar centers or services for the people in their state” Ms Hanlon said.
Nine structures supporting young entrepreneurship have been awarded through the BESB program.
They are: Edith Cowan University’s practical employee management skills program; North West Metro Small Business Centre Inc’s business continuity through succession planning; Leschenault Enterprise Centre Inc’s small business training and mentoring; Rural Business Solutions Pty Ltd’s business planning skills for Gascoyne small businesses and non-profit organisations; Form Contemporary Craft & Design Inc’s designing futures small business development program; the Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee Inc’s financial management training for young entrepreneurs, and the cities of Swan and Joondalup small businesses support programs.
