Thriving IgniteAbility entrepreneur and business award finalist is ready to scale up business

Small business owner Carly Bishop is a thriving program participant of SSI IgniteAbility. Photograph: Damon Amb.

Ms Bishop officially launched her business – Carly’s Coffee Couriers – in April, and it’s been such a success in her South-Sydney locale that she’s ready to enter her next phase of growth and scale up business, offering services in multiple locations.

When asked about her experience working alongside IgniteAbility, Ms Bishop says that IgniteAbility has been invaluable in providing business support in a range of areas from general business planning to the setting up of social media pages.

“Ignite provided me with the opportunity to start my business, I had no idea about the process and where to begin,” Ms Bishop said.

“Ignite has supported me by helping draw up the business plan, being with me in initial meetings with shopping centre management, organising flyers and business cards, setting up of social media accounts, and insurance.”

Ms Bishop is Australian-born and says one of the most rewarding and interesting aspects of the IgniteAbility program is becoming more aware of refugee and CALD communities.

“Ignite has shed light on refugee and CALD communities that I have previously never known about,” Ms Bishop said.

When asked what she finds most rewarding in her business, Ms Bishop says it’s connecting with her regular customers and the community.

“Most of my job satisfaction comes from the community of customers and vendors that I have developed relationships with.”

Ms Bishop’s advice to other budding entrepreneurs is around starting something from a place of pure passion.

“Think of an idea that you want to do and enjoy; something that you’re passionate about, and then get the right support.”