Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs in Australia - Shooting for the Stars: Stories of Culture, Resilience and...

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Meena Chavan (Macquarie Business School) Jane Menzies (Deakin University, Australia)

Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs in Australia - Shooting for the Stars

Stories of Culture, Resilience and Success

Meena Chavan (Macquarie Business School), Jane Menzies (Deakin University, Australia), Leanne Holt (Macquarie University)

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Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
13 October 2025

Gender studies, gender groups; Anthropology; Business mathematics & systems; Small businesses & self-employed

This book explores the role of Indigenous identity in entrepreneurial behaviour and success by analysing 14 case studies on Australian Indigenous women entrepreneurs.

The book draws on interviews conducted with successful Indigenous women entrepreneurs who have been operating their businesses in Sydney, Australia. Each case study is accompanied by relevant literature and industry information to contextualize business challenges and opportunities faced by the individual entrepreneur. The interviews illustrate the intersectional challenge of achieving economic self-determination for First Nations peoples, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of Indigenous entrepreneurship in Australia.

This intersectional study of entrepreneurship will interest students and researchers in the fields of Indigenous studies, entrepreneurship, and anthropology. It will also be a valuable guide for policy makers seeking to promote entrepreneurship amongst Indigenous communities.

By: Meena Chavan (Macquarie Business School), Jane Menzies (Deakin University, Australia), Leanne Holt (Macquarie University)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781032478562
ISBN 10: 103247856X
Pages: 122
Publication Date: 13 October 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

1. Introduction, theoretical frameworks and setting the scene 2. Mundanara Bayles - A force to reckon with. 3. Jenifer Darr - Supporting Present and Future Indigenous Entrepreneurs 4. Nicole Monks - Having a Social Impact through Art 5. Nicole Brown - A Female Leader of Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship 6. Kaylene Langford - A Creative Start-up Entrepreneur 7. Rebecca Wessels - Championing First Nations Culture through Art and Gifts 8. Carol Vale - Placing square pegs in square holes and round ones in round 9. Rachelle Towart - Raising the number of First Nations leaders in executive positions in Australia 10. Amanda Healy - Empowering Indigenous Designers Through Fashion and Social Enterprise 11. Fran Dobbie - A filmmaker on Aboriginal Issues 12. Denni Francisco - STAR Founder and Creative Director of Ngali 13. Judith McDonald - A Journey of Determination, Advocacy and Entrepreneurship for Aboriginal Peoples- From Social Work to Social Impact 14. Desert Gem - Vattessa Colbung’s Resilient Path to Empowerment and Community Support 15. Janine McDonald - Empowering Aboriginal Employment at All Aspects Recruitment & HR Services 16. Lessons Learned, Policy Implications and Conclusions

Meena Chavan is an Associate Professor of International Business and Entrepreneurship at the Macquarie Business School. She is an economic anthropologist who studies people and business in society to try and understand ""what it is to be human in a variety of contexts"". She conducts research at the interface of International business & Entrepreneurship. Her research has been published in top-tier ranked journals and books such as Academy of Management Discoveries, Journal of World Business, Journal of International Management, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Small Business Management & Emerald Publications etc. Jane Menzies is a supporter of the Indigenous community in Australia. She completed her PhD at Monash University in 2005, on women’s participation in international assignments in Multinational Enterprises. Jane is a Senior Lecturer in International Business at the University of Sunshine Coast, and the MBA and Postgraduate Programs coordinator. Her research has been published in top tier journals such as Journal of Business Research, International Business Review, European Management Journal, Human Resource Management Review, Management International Review, and others. One of her latest research interests has been on Australian Indigenous Female Entrepreneurship, the subject of this book. Leanne Holt is a Worimi/Biripi woman from the mid-coast of New South Wales. She is the inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at UNSW. Contributing to Indigenous higher education for over 25 years she was previously the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy at Macquarie University and prior to this co-director of the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle. She has a number of publications relating to Indigenous higher education and has been recognised for her leadership receiving various national and international leadership awards, including being a finalist in the Telstra Women’s Business Awards.