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Aspiring entrepreneur launches business
The introduction of a new Minor in Entrepreneurship at the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2009 could be just the ticket for fledgling online clothes retailer Sonja Ziegler.
Sonja, 46, of Buderim, signed up to study entrepreneurship after recently launching her organic clothing business, Bamboo Boutique, an Australian distributor for Jonäno eco chic collection headquartered in the United States.
The psychology student said she was looking forward to discovering how she could reach her full potential in business and utilise her passion for promoting a more environmentally-friendly clothing industry.
“I’ve got great ideas on how to solve some of the problems in society,” she said. “I have big vision ideas but there’s so much I don’t know about business … particularly the nitty, gritty stuff. This minor in entrepreneurship will ground me and focus me.”
USC’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business program leader Dr Rod Farr-Wharton said the new minor was available to all USC students, whether their ambitions included working as an employee or being self-employed.
“All types of organisations need enterprising graduates who can spot opportunities, be innovative and show commercial awareness,” he said. “In today’s fast-paced business world these qualities are more important than ever before.”
Dr Farr-Wharton said entrepreneurship encompassed skills that included creativity, opportunism, taking risks, problem-solving, research and inquiry and working as part of a team.
“It is often thought that entrepreneurs are born, not made,” he said. “But in fact, many of the skills necessary for an entrepreneurial approach can be developed.”
The Minor in Entrepreneurship will involve students taking part in developing an idea for their new venture, simulations, field work, workshops and a variety of other learning experiences with the purpose of gaining know-how into new venture creation and operation.
Sonja said these experiences would prove invaluable as she expected strong growth in demand for her range of organic clothing.
“Some of the collection is timeless and some of it goes with the current fashions,” she said. “We have dresses, skirts, pants, T shirts and socks which are available online at <bambooboutique.com.au>, and at Happy Herbs at Maroochydore.”
Sonja said bamboo was a much “greener” option than cotton because it could be grown quickly with much less water and without the need for chemicals or fertiliser.
The USC student also said her study of psychology was significant in her choice of business venture.
“Psychology relates to my business in the sense that ‘healing’ needs to take place on lots of different levels,” she said. “Whether it’s wearing bamboo clothes or exploring issues of the mind, it’s part of a holistic approach to life.”
For more details about USC’s Minor in Entrepreneurship, contact Dr Rod Farr-Wharton by email at: <RFarr@usc.edu.au>.
— Terry Walsh