Gemma

For Butchulla woman Gemma, entrepreneurship is about creating lasting change for real families. 

Her business idea, Raising Strong Ghundu, is centred around supporting First Nations children and families, drawing on both cultural knowledge and lived experience. The word “Ghundu” means children in the Butchulla language, reflecting the strong cultural foundations at the heart of her vision. 

“I believe that if we raise strong children, future generations will benefit.” 

While Gemma had long held ambitions to develop the idea, turning it into reality often felt overwhelming. “It was always something I cared deeply about,” she said, “but I wasn’t sure I’d ever be the one to actually do it.” 

Through the Young Entrepreneurs Programme, that mindset began to shift. Each week brought new learning opportunities, practical steps forward, and encouragement from mentors and fellow participants. The cohort’s diversity and willingness to collaborate became a highlight of her experience. 

“Everybody came from such different backgrounds, but everyone had something to teach and something to learn.” 

A particularly significant moment came through her mentor relationship, where she was encouraged to dream bigger and recognise her own strengths. 

“He kept telling me not to make myself smaller. He encouraged me to back myself and think bigger.” 

By the end of the programme, her idea had evolved from a vision into a genuine business opportunity complete with clearer direction and a stronger sense of purpose. Gemma won one of two Rising Star awards at the Young Entrepreneurs Programme and received $5,000 in seed funding for her business.  

“The programme helped me turn an idea into something real. Every week I walked away inspired to take the next step.”