THEY come from every corner of the world, from 11 different countries and speak a total of 30 different languages between them, but there is one thing these women have in common.
All have decided Mandurah is the best place to live.
They have also decided to put their extraordinary skills to work by starting small businesses they hope will one day employ locals.
More than twenty women have spent the last six weeks learning business skills at the City of Mandurah’s program for entrepreneurial migrant women.
The course is designed to give these ambitious students the tools they need to start and run a successful business in Australia.
Skills such as market research, business planning and financial management are taught over eight weeks.
City of Mandurah mayor Marina Vergone, who spent Friday morning with the students, said she was proud to bring like-minded women together.
“They get out of their comfort zones and network and get the opportunity to become economically independent,” she said.
“There are so many skills here we haven't tapped into.
“Every single woman here either has a bachelors or masters degree.”
Ms Vergone said 150 women had completed the course in the 18 months since it began.
“We need more business in Mandurah and when businesses grow, they start employing more people and it's just a win-win for everyone,” she said.
Oksana Rosenberg, originally from Ukraine, was an economist before moving to Mandurah two years ago.
Now she was helping her son establish a jewellery business.
“He found talent in himself as a jewellery designer and he's started working in diamonds, but what he doesn't know is how to manage a business and this is where I help,” she said.
“This short course is helping me make my business come alive, to connect with people, and how to share our ideas and to see how people react.”
Ms Rosenberg said her family was still struggling to come to terms with the recent Ukrainian crisis; her brother had been fighting in a tank division and only recently returned home.
Dara Ayuningtyas was a journalist and television reporter in Indonesia, but after settling in Mandurah with her two young children, planned to start a small business making jewellery from Lego.
“I love colour, colour is my religion, and I love Lego,” she said.
“They’ve taught me about marketing – that's the problem I have, I don't know how to do that – especially on the internet, it's hard but good, and how to make a plan for the business.”
Ms Ayuningtyas said Mandurah was the perfect place to start a business.
“There is lots of culture in Mandurah, from all around the world, lots of multi-culture, it's just awesome.”
The women will graduate from the course after two more weeks of study.
