12:00a.m. 5th September 2007

A group of small business owners from across the Coast have started the latest Women in Business coaching program organised by the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce.

To run until January, the program, funded by the Department of State Development, includes coaching sessions and workshops aimed at providing solutions to individual goals and needs identified by the participants.

Run by Leigh Rachow from the Sunshine Coast Business Academy, the women taking part must have owned their business for more than 12 months.

“That gives them enough time to know what their strengths and weaknesses are. And also enough time to build a strong commitment to their businesses,” she said.

The program was originally designed to cater for 12 participants, but was expanded to 14 due to the demand, with others having to miss out.

“The interest was excellent. Unfortunately, this could be the last funding for this specific program,” Ms Rachow said.

Four coaches will be involved in delivering components of the program, all experienced, successful businesswomen in their own right.

Each coach brings expertise, knowledge and skills in certain areas of business, ranging from information technology to marketing, business management, human resource management and finance.

Each participant will be paying $275 towards the cost of delivering the program to them.