innerCIRCLE6 empowers women in business to succeed

Founder Patricia Kaziro (UTS MBAe) envisions a dynamic global community of women in business through her startup, innerCIRCLE6 - a unique speaker series inspiring transformative change through education. 

Give us your elevator pitch – what is your startup?

innerCIRCLE6 is a unique speaker series featuring diverse thinkers and influencers direct from the impact innovation space. With the focus squarely set on female founders and entrepreneurs, each panel member shares the learnings from their own entrepreneurial journey, as well as key trends in the sector. When innerCIRCLE6 scales globally it will offer a diverse array of live informational and educational events to provide support for a dynamic community of women in business. 

What's the problem your startup is solving? How long have you been working on it?

Without well established networks or equal access to capital, and with fewer publicised success stories, half the battle for women choosing to engage in business is the lack of visibility of the progress being made by women. innerCIRCLE6 will provide clear direction about how women can thrive in business via its educational, informational and inspirational speakers who have all been there and done it before. At every event the audience walks away with a mental roadmap of how to navigate a new element of business and reach their goals faster. I established my business Radiate Coaching in 2016 and started on the innerCIRCLE6 concept in 2018 as part of my MBAe studies.

Why is solving this problem important? Why does it matter to you?

The reality of unconscious bias or overt discrimination against women in business is that it can be the difference between whether your business sinks or swims, whether you get the finance for your venture, whether you can reach your potential as a person. I care because by my age, I’ve heard enough stories from other women about the challenges they face professionally to get ahead (which may simply mean being equal to men in their workplace or being afforded opportunities commensurate with their skills, education and experience).

Change happens collectively from the ground up – my startup focusses on one pathway to change this unequal power dynamic and strive towards equality. One marker of success will be when 50% of startups are founded by women, in line and representative of the population and I want to be part of this solution, finding ways for more women to start their own business. Business is empowering and can lead to financial freedom, a chance to work more flexibly and the opportunity to sell B2C and B2B opens up more opportunities than working on salary as an employee.

Who's your target audience and why do they need it? Why should it matter to your audience?

My target audience is women thinking about setting up or growing their current business, particularly in the social impact space. 

Despite encouraging signs that more women are becoming entrepreneurs and founding high growth companies, research studies clearly demonstrate the gender inequality that pervades business. Only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-led ventures. With nearly 50% of female entrepreneurs seeking mentors and low numbers accessing first stage financing and accelerators, it’s evident that there’s one universal feature of the entrepreneurial ecosystem – that despite their significant contribution to the economy, female entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and investors are a minority group.  

The imperative for women to join a community of women in business is that they can reach their business goals faster via the multi-layered support network available to them. 

What was your tipping point that prompted you to actually pursue your idea? What would your advice be to anyone at that tipping point?

My tipping point was when I established and directed a community service in partnership (through my first business). I was actively sidelined from media opportunities at a critical time in my career. Being made invisible on this project was detrimental to my career and made it increasingly difficult to scale the project I directed. Whilst I watched, my project partner continued to grow his media profile seamlessly. 

Since then I’ve created a new business and have been committed to providing support for other women in business, by actively creating opportunities to showcase our work, share our learnings and collectively overcome gender inequality – through visibility and having our voices heard. 

If you’re at the tipping point that’s the best time to jump! If you’re frustrated by circumstance, chances are other people will be and you’re onto something – trust your instincts, even if what you want to do breaks with social convention – that’s how change for the greater good is made – you need to lead it!

What key challenges and successes have you faced so far, or do you anticipate facing? How have you handled these challenges?

I’ve been overlooked professionally several times and been unable to gain external exposure for the work I do, which I considered important as my mission has always been to empower others who are marginalised. My battle is an internal one, to keep trying despite previous disappointments. Many people who are great leaders have overcome hardship to reach their full capacity – I am inspired to be resilient and not give up – there is always a way to find supporters if you remain true to yourself. So I just keep moving forwards!

What's the biggest thing you've learnt so far?

To remain authentic and stay true to my beliefs as there will always be other people who think and feel the same way. So it’s important to get your ideas out there to gain momentum and support. It’s the making of a person to put yourself out there into the public realm, often uncomfortable, but wholly necessary in business and leadership.

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by humanitarians applying their love of people to business to solve everyday problems that can radically improve other people’s lives. People who use their intellect and drive to change the world to make it more equitable and comfortable for all. Vestergaard is an inspiring company using the humanitarian entrepreneurship model.

Companies that overtly support underrepresented groups with their mission are also incredibly inspiring as they actively address the barriers that exist for minority groups in accessing finance and support for their ventures. Backstage Capital, an American VC firm founded by Arlan Hamilton comes to mind. They are creating opportunities to generate wealth for diverse entrepreneurs, particularly black women.

What next big milestone are you going after? What do you need for it and how should people reach you?

I’m looking to connect with potential sponsors, partners and even a co-founder. I would love to hear from anyone whose company has a synergy in its mission with what I’m working towards. I’d like to find out what problems you’re having in your business and whether we can work together towards a common purpose using shared resources. If you’re passionate about social impact and business and looking to join a global movement for women as a co-founder please reach out via 0414 270 585 or helloradiatecoaching@gmail.com. For more info visit: www.radiatecoaching.org.

Frustrated by a situation, structure or system that you can improve upon? Visit startups.uts.edu.au and get started.

By Lourdes Millare, UTS Startups.