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Welcome to the 2023 Impact Report. This year we are focusing on the first three milestones of our Impact Roadmap: Women’s Economic Participation, Women’s Self-Employment and Women’s Financial Independence. Global Sisters’ purpose is to remove barriers to women’s economic security, and we do that through direct impact (self-employment programs and support) and integrated systems change interventions. In 2023 we overhauled our impact measurement system to collect the most important change data over time. As our longitudinal data builds over several years, we will be able to start reporting on all six of the milestones leading to women’s economic security. Through the 2023 report, we are pleased to share early-stage results and analyses and bring them to life with qualitative Sister case studies.
who are Our sisters?
Sisters are the women who are part of the Global Sisters community. Often unemployed, underemployed or low-income due to systemic and structural barriers, they come to Global Sisters seeking to participate in economy and become financially independent through self-employment in micro business.
They are brilliant, resilient, intelligent, and socially conscious women with a vision to not only build their businesses, but create a greater societal impact.
They are Solo Mums, Older Women, First Nations Women, Migrants & Refugees, women with disabilities and those living in regional/ remote areas. When women are given the confidence, skills, connections, and support they often miss out on, there is no stopping them. They start and grow businesses, lift up communities, and make the economy a more equal, inclusive place.
6000+
Women Cumulative Sisters around Australia. In 2023 Global Sisters reached the milestone of over 6000 women being supported since inception.
1329
Sisters around Australia participated in Global Sisters programs in 2023
722
Sisters joined Global Sisters for the first time in 2023
2023 cohort
440
Sisters identify from migrant or refugee background
264
Sisters had lived experience of family or domestic abuse
373
Sisters are over 50 years old
174
Sisters were living with a disability
218
Sisters were from a regional or remote community
47
Sisters were Indigenous women
318
Sisters were solo parents
where are our sisters?
The Sisters are located all across Australia, in every single State and Territory.
In 2023, 16% of all the Sisters were living in regional or remote communities, facing additional challenges when it comes to access to connections and support networks, to training programs, capital and profitable markets.
impact summary
women’s economic security roadmap
women’s economic participation
Main Findings
Global Sisters plays a significant role in overcoming some of the most prevalent personal barriers that prevent women’s economic participation and self-employment, such as lack of business knowledge & skills and limited access to business connections & networks. There are also gendered systemic barriers that prevent specific cohorts of women from becoming self-employed including disincentives in the welfare system – Global Sisters is working towards reforming the system to make business a viable option for all women.
Evidence
Global Sisters is helping women around Australia to overcome barriers through contribution towards an increase in business knowledge and skills. Prior to joining Global Sisters, 59% of Sisters felt equipped to run a business, a figure that rose to 69% post-engagement, a 10% improvement. Similarly, access to business networks and connections saw a notable enhancement, with a 13% increase from 32% to 45% after joining. At a systems level, Global Sisters is only just starting to address these barriers and we expect to see impact in next year’s report – at the moment, we are creating an evidence base for the welfare reform via three demonstration projects (with Solo Mums, survivors of DFV and women with disabilities).
women’s self-employment
Main Findings
Global Sisters supports women to develop their businesses, supporting them to start generating income and/or increase their income and enabling them to be a significant part of the SME sector in Australia and a main contributor to employment and economic growth across the country. At a systems level, Global Sisters is working towards facilitating access to appropriate financial instruments, essential for business investments and financial stability, ensuring equal access to resources and promoting gender equality in entrepreneurship.
Evidence
Global Sisters has empowered women entrepreneurs, fostering income generation and enhancing their role in Australia’s SME sector. Currently, 54% of Sisters are generating income, a 20% increase from their initial engagement. Notably, 21% now earn up to $800 monthly (previously 12%), with 18% earning between $800 and $6000 (previously 9%). Creating a pathway to economic security for women through tailored, affordable and accessible financial products and services is a key priority to Global Sisters, who recently, relying on new evidence in terms of access to financial instruments barriers, updated the innovative Finance Pathways program to support Sisters in accessing appropriate financial resources.
women’s financial independence
Main Findings
Global Sisters empowers women to rely on their business as their main source of income while working towards reducing dependency not only from other sources, but mostly from Government Welfare Support. Global Sisters is working to change the national discourse and policy change to acknowledge and support the diverse range of micro businesses, a sector that employs more than large and medium businesses combined.
Evidence
Global Sisters empowers women to shift from government welfare support to relying on their businesses as their primary income source. Before joining, only 2% considered their business as their main income, rising to 8% after engagement. Simultaneously, dependence on another family member’s income decreased from 35% to 21%. Global Sisters has seen the power of micro business to drive innovation, propel economic growth, create jobs and transform lives and is working to bring micro business out of the shadow and begin celebrating it.
women’s economic participation
the barriers
According to the International Trade Organisation, women around the world face significant challenges in labour force participation, with a persistent gender gap of 25%, with some countries reaching 50%.
Moreso, globally, women are less likely to start businesses and encounter more disadvantages when attempting to. Research indicates that women often have lower levels of optimism and self-confidence compared to men, coupled with a higher fear of failure, all of which contribute to the reluctance to pursue entrepreneurship.
In Australia, and following the global trend, the most common barriers identified by women who joined Global Sisters were:
lack of self confidence
fear of failure
Limited business know-how
Insufficient business finance (funding) accessibility
Lack of support from peers and community
isolation
[Source: 2023 Annual Impact Survey]
Upon joining Global Sisters, many women express feelings of self-doubt and isolation, compounded by complex personal situations such as solo motherhood, disabilities or lived-experience of domestic violence, often stemming from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Even when I didn’t ask for help, Global Sisters would try and find ways to get my business and my branding known. So that was really helpful and it played a big role in my business (…) like the pitch that they offered, the connection as well, (…) Global Sisters played a big part in my business, getting me where I am today because through them I found the right connections.”
breaking down barriers
Global Sisters plays a crucial role in breaking these barriers by providing tailored programs and workshops that address the specific needs of women entrepreneurs, granting them access to relevant training and networking opportunities that are relevant and aligned with their passions and skills. By connecting them with peers and mentors who understand their challenges and aspirations, Global Sisters empowers women to overcome self-doubt and consider self-employment as a viable option.
what is my big idea?
My Big Idea is an online workshop designed to help Sisters explore and develop their business ideas within just 1.5 hours. Available in self-guided or facilitated live format, it offers a structured approach for brainstorming, testing, and refining business concepts at one’s own pace. Sisters gain the tools, language, and confidence needed to critically evaluate their ideas, identify possible barriers, and plan their next steps, ultimately empowering them to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.
570
Sisters participated in My Big Idea program in 2023
8
My Big Idea workshops took place – both facilitated and self-guided
For most of the Sisters, it was the first time they began to believe that becoming a business owner was possible. My Big Idea gives the Sisters a starting point and a supportive community, allowing them to start organising their thoughts to move forward.
“My Big Idea focused on my interests and talents in such a visual and nurturing way. It was all new for me, I was realising things that I hadn’t previously realised. I had never done any learning about myself, from that point of view, and it was so encouraging.”
“My Big Idea was the motivation I needed. It helped me realise I have all of these ideas and Global Sisters could actually help me channel it into what I wanted to be.”
the impact
As a result, many women experience increased confidence and motivation, reflecting a shift in perception towards entrepreneurship as a feasible path to economic empowerment. This not only fosters greater economic participation among women but also contributes to diversifying the entrepreneurship landscape, where women are often underrepresented. By facilitating access to resources and support networks, Global Sisters catalyses women’s economic participation in sectors where their voices and talents are invaluable.
I have the skills and knowledge to run a successful business
I have access to the connections and networks I need for my business to succeed
After joining Global Sisters:
of Sisters think they have the skills and knowledge to run a business
vs
59% before joining Global Sisters.
of Sisters have the confidence to engage in business-related networks or forums to contribute their lived experience
vs
63% before joining Global Sisters.
of Sisters feel they can access the connections and networks they need for their business to succeed
vs
32% before joining Global Sisters.
of Sisters think they have “what it takes” to be a successful businesswoman
vs
75% before joining Global Sisters.
of Sisters feel confident they can overcome and successfully navigate the barriers in front of their business
vs
60% before joining Global Sisters.
case study
meet fiona
Solo mum | First Nations – Biripi Woman | Regional Community | Business Owner
Read Fiona's Story
women’s self-employment
A recent report by LaunchVic highlighting the different sectors of startups, noted that women are more likely to start traditionally low-growth businesses, compared with the high-growth startups men tend to pursue.
ABS data from the 2011 census supports this, showing that when women do start businesses, they tend to avoid high-growth industries like financial services and technology, instead focusing on smaller enterprises such as health and social assistance, retail, and professional services like accounting.
Moreover, women face significant challenges in accessing capital to start and scale their businesses. They have less personal capital to invest, which hampers the growth of their ventures. Research indicates that investors exhibit unconscious biases favouring male entrepreneurs, especially the attractive ones, even when the content of entrepreneurial pitches is the same. Firms with a woman founder have a significantly smaller median firm capital raise, indicating that most of these firms raise less than those without women founders.
In Australia, these are the barriers the Sisters have identified that are preventing them from starting to generate/increase their income with their business:
Marketing
Customer Acquisition
Sourcing Finance/ Working Capital
Competition in the market
Technology and IT
revenue
Global Sisters is championing women’s economic empowerment by fostering entrepreneurship and financial stability. At the heart of this initiative lies the Sister School program, empowering women to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence, transforming their dreams into tangible successes.
what is sister school?
Sister School is a comprehensive and flexible business education program for women with a solid business idea, aspiring to launch their ventures independently. Divided into 8 parts with multiple modules, it provides essential tools and guidance, from crafting a business plan to gaining market insights and validating ideas. Participants have the freedom to learn at their own pace, empowering them to build confidence and transform their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Additionally, Sister School offers alternative formats, including an intensive five-day course and a weekly forum, catering to various learning preferences and schedules.
441
Sisters participated in Sister School program in 2023
7
Sister School programs took place – both intensive and 4-week mode
This represents their deep dive into everything in the business world – an intense, emotional and challenging journey that culminates in the Pitch event, an opportunity for the Sisters to stand tall as business owners for the first time and present their business in a professional setting.
“The Sister School intensive 4 day course was VERY high quality. The workbook is fantastic and the videos amazing. An excellent teaching tool, well designed and compiled, and something that I will be referring daily. The facilitator is a force to be reckoned with. Not only a very experienced business woman, but also a great young inspiring leader. The energy throughout the course was high, supportive, and exciting. It left me with a sense of ‘Yes, I can!'”
“This has been such an amazing experience. The support that I got from the Sisters and facilitators has been enormous. I am super grateful for this opportunity and so ready to get things rolling in my business.”
the impact
Creating a business is a slow process, and apart from the baseline disadvantage that women face, they still have to navigate the complex intricacies inherents to the entrepreneurial journey, such as constantly testing, iterating, and working towards creating financially robust business models, fostering continuous encouragement and progress. Even so, joining Global Sisters has evidently impacted the income-generating capabilities of the Sisters – there is a significant increase in Sisters earning various income levels post-joining, which demonstrates the effectiveness of Global Sisters in supporting business establishment and growth.
If you think about the last 3 months, how much revenue did your business generate each month?
Up to $800 a month
Before Global Sisters
After Global Sisters
Up to $800-$1600 a month
Before Global Sisters
After Global Sisters
Up to $1600-$6000 a month
Before Global Sisters
After Global Sisters
After joining Global Sisters:
of Sisters are generating income
vs
33% before joining Global Sisters.
of Sisters are generating up to $800 a month
vs
12% before joining Global Sisters.
of Sisters are generating between $800 and $1600 a month
vs
32% before joining Global Sisters.
“It’s been a fabulous journey of self-transformation from someone not so confident starting a business to starting 2 companies within a month’s time frame.”
Looking ahead to the next year:
10
I expect my business to perform about the same
86
I’m optimistic my business will grow
13
I am uncertain about the future of my business
Numbers indicate the number of facebook submissions received.
case study
meet melissa
First Nations Woman | From a Regional Community | Business Owner
Read Melissa's Story
Women’s Financial Independence
Projections of global poverty by UN Women and UNDP have estimated that, globally, 388 million women and girls would be living in extreme poverty in 2022 (compared to 372 million men and boys) – making women and girls are more likely than men to live in poverty (12.5% versus 12.1%).
In Australia, in line with global trends, women are more likely to live in households below the poverty line than men (14.1% for women and 13.1% for men, using the 50% median income poverty line) according to data from the ABS.
At Global Sisters, there’s a significant reliance on Government Income Support among Sisters (37%), a number that surpasses the national average (24%) and that reflects the diversity of socioeconomic contexts in which the Sisters live in. Sisters have higher rates of reliance on various forms of support such as Family Tax Benefit, Job Seeker, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment compared to national averages. Overall, the data emphasises the diverse economic situations within the Global Sisters community and the organisation’s impact on financial resilience with a diverse cohort that is often isolated from the typical entrepreneurial circles such as women over 55, solo mums, people with disabilities, women from regional or remote regions or First Nations.
Did anyone in your household receive Government Income Support in the last 4 weeks? If yes, what percentage of your total household income did it cover?
23
100%
9
I’m not sure
67
No income support
10
$0 – less than 100%
11
Less than 50%
Numbers indicate the number of facebook submissions received. Source: 2023 Annual Impact Survey.
what is first 10 customers?
First 10 Customers is a one-on-one coaching program, to guide Sisters in refining their product, testing market fit, and defining pricing and business models as they make their first sales. Tailored support from dedicated business coaches assists Sisters in achieving their goals, providing a framework for successful launches, regular check-ins for coaching and accountability, and confidence in themselves, their products, and their businesses.
74
Sisters participated in First 10 Customers program in 2023
3
First 10 Customers programs took place in 2023.
An opportunity to have access to a professional business coach can change the trajectory of a Sister’s business journey. The Sisters have, for the first time, access to someone that believes in them, supports them in setting reasonable goals, and keeps them accountable and fosters a sense of self-reliance and motivation to continue working towards success.
“I have found the program to be excellent – the regular emails about the stages were a great reminder and connection. My coach was very supportive and had some great insights resulting in some lightbulb moments for me. I’m now more confidently going forward to launching my business knowing that when I need more guidance, I can access it in so many ways via Global Sisters.”
“This was so useful to me, helped me hone ideas, learn new things, keep more on track, and feel hopeful that my business will eventually succeed.”
the impact
Despite entrepreneurial efforts, many women struggle to generate sustainable income, influenced by personal, social and economical dynamics. Intergenerational poverty cycles present further obstacles, with higher rates of youth receiving income support when their parents receive certain payments. Moreover, the disproportionate weight of domestic and family duties on women, reflected in the high rates of Family Tax Benefit recipients, underscores the need for accessible childcare support.
What is intergenerational poverty
Intergenerational poverty refers to a cycle of economic disadvantage that persists across generations within a family or community, typically characterized by limited access to resources, opportunities, and social mobility, resulting in a pattern where poverty is passed down from parents to their children.
Global Sisters’ impact is evident in the improved financial capabilities and reduced financial vulnerability among Sisters who have attended their programs. Joining Global Sisters has already positively influenced financial capabilities, with the majority of Sisters reporting significant increases in their savings and consequent ability to meet urgent expenses.
In an emergency:
I could find $500 in a week
Before Global Sisters
After Global Sisters
I could find $2000 in a week
Before Global Sisters
After Global Sisters
I couldn’t meet any unexpected expense or financial need
Before Global Sisters
After Global Sisters
of Sisters mentioned their business was their primary source of income
vs
3% in 2022.
of Sisters mentioned another family member’s income was their main source of income
vs
35% in 2022.
“I’m now comfortably in the headspace of supporting myself and really, really keen to get into supporting myself and saying goodbye to Centrelink. Oh, I can admit, absolutely.”
Source Analysis and Methodology
A variety of sources were utilised in the making of this report – Surveys, Empathy Interviews (Sister Chats) and Focus Group Discussions, all conducted online throughout the year of 2023. In regards to Surveys, we resorted to 3 specifically – Annual Impact Survey 2023, Baseline Survey 2023 and Ongoing Survey 2023.
Annual Impact Survey 2023
121
Sisters responded
This is the most comprehensive survey. It intends to collect data about the Sisters, their businesses, their personal and financial contexts and their journey with Global Sisters.
Baseline Survey 2023
916
Sisters responded
This survey doesn’t track personal details about the Sisters and it consists of a self-assessment of their levels of confidence, knowledge and skills, as well as the performance of their business.
Ongoing Survey 2023
251
Sisters responded
This survey doesn’t track personal details about the Sisters and it consists of a self-assessment of their levels of confidence, knowledge and skills, as well as the performance of their business.
Empathy Interviews
For the Empathy Interviews (Sister Chats), 9 Sisters were interviewed; 2 were from Victoria, 3 from QLD, and 4 from NSW. They’ve been joining Global Sisters every year since 2018 up to 2023. The Sisters that were interviewed represent different age groups, from women in their 30s up to 60s, as well as a wide range of personal experiences. Participants are migrants, people over 50 years old, with a disability or lived experience of domestic violence.
Focus Group Discussions
Four focus group discussions were run, 2 on different demographics (Solo Mums & First Nations) and 2 on Business Stages (Set-up to Launch & Startup to Growth). Only the first 2 were utilised for this Report. In these Group Discussions, 6 Sisters participated and voiced their opinions: 2 were based in NSW, 2 in VIC, 1 in QLD, and 1 in the NT. They’ve been joining Global Sisters in different years, starting in 2018 up until 2023 and they represent First Nations, people over 50 years old, migrants, and people with lived experience of domestic violence.
