The Difference Incubator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Education

The Difference Incubator

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 477 008 925

Address: WeWork c/o The Difference Incubator, 401 Collins Street 3000 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.tdi.org.au

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• Non-profit organisation
• Education
• Consultation agency

25.01.2022 At TDi, we believe in an economy that is worthy of the human spirit. But for that to happen, it needs to recognise diversity in entrepreneurs and the types of businesses they build - businesses that care for people and planet, not just profit. The entrepreneurs we work with dont fit the Silicon Valley, million dollar tech start-up stereotype, and this is important to acknowledge. In fact, we talk about reclaiming the word from that stereotype in our mission. But whats more important to acknowledge and celebrate is that the people we work with are the difference makers - for their family, for their community, for our chance at a better future - and to you, we say thank you.

23.01.2022 "When you add the effects of the pandemic as a whole, and those of the bushfire crisis, its estimated Victorian businesses will see combined losses of around $23.3 billion in 2020 and $7.9 billion of those are in regional Victoria, where many businesses rely heavily on tourism for support." Click For Vic - a way to support Victorian businesses: https://www.broadsheet.com.au//hundreds-victorian-producer (image via https://corporate.visitvictoria.com/)

22.01.2022 Whilst many industries and businesses have been deeply impacted through COVID-19 and lockdowns, others have grown in this time. Is your business one of them? In this blog, we share the 5 tips to maintain your startup's culture. https://tdi.org.au/growing-quickly-5-tips-to-maintain-your/

21.01.2022 Lina Singu is an experienced bilum designer, weaver and founder of Tamba Wut based in Wewak, East Sepik Province. Tamba Wut preserves and celebrates the artisan skills of Sepik River women through the sale of their crafts, such as natural fibre bilums, use of natural dyes and body adornment pieces. The organisation supports around 2,000 weavers in five different villages situated along the Middle Sepik River... In the organisations 6 years of operation, Tamba Wut has been able to support the women in these communities through business activities alone. Lina has grown the business through a skilful understanding of market demand, creative and innovative bilum designs and proactively finding market access, locally and internationally. COVID-19 has really impacted Linas cashflow as she relies on sales at the Wewak markets and international tourism to source high quality bilums from the villages. Lina has had to adapt by selling through other channels, like international buyers; Among Equals, and at the PoM City markets. Shes also looking into domestic tourism as a solution. With the support of Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea we will continue to support Lina as she adapts her business to the current environment.

21.01.2022 Love hearing these voices joining in song across the ocean. Warmed our hearts this cold wintery afternoon in Melbourne. Thank you!

21.01.2022 Some more helpful insights from Isaac, from the last few months of working with our incredible network of entrepreneurs. Particularly like putting a bounty on dreaded tasks: "On my daily to-do list, I prioritise the Urgent and Important, and I tick off the Not Urgent and Not Important to feel like Im making progress. I can have a full and productive day on paper, but miss the Not Urgent and Important tasks, when these are the ones I need to actively prioritise. The trick that has worked for me is to set a bounty on the undesirable, non urgent but important tasks." Read more here: https://isaacjeffries.com//lessons-from-covid-coaching-cal

20.01.2022 Weve been paying particular attention to the stories were telling ourselves at the moment. Some beautiful ideas from Rebecca Solnit.

20.01.2022 What I love about this story is how the urgency for revenue opened the founders minds to random income streams. For some of the businesses were working with at the moment, their traditional ways of making money arent right for right now. They are needing to think of different ways to make money. Sometimes, this isnt always obvious or related to what they normally do. In this article, Isaac explores Obama Os creative ideas for short term cashflow. https://buff.ly/2FjRDOe

20.01.2022 Some more wisdom from AirBnB founder Brian Chesky - mindset and listening have helped AirBnB pivot their model (and survival) in the face of COVID-19:

18.01.2022 COVID has found its way into the most vulnerable parts of our community exposing inequality. These inequalities have always been there, its just taken COVID to make them super obvious to us all. COVID has exposed the vulnerability in social housing, aged care, post code and gender inequalities. Do we really want to go back to normal? And if we are advocating for a new normal, for whom will this new normal benefit?

18.01.2022 Do you think you could answer if someone asked you what is your essence? Or what is the essence of your business? Or what is the essence of the place where you live, play and/or work? In the recent Small Giants conversation we attended, this is what Carol Sanford proposed as one of the first steps to building a regenerative business (one that heals and responds to societal and economic needs). She said the clue to uncovering the essence of somewhere, someone or some...thing is in its past only once youve understood this, can you move forward. This is reflective of our process at TDi. Our starting point when working with new businesses, is to understand their story of origin to get a sense of their values and prominent themes (or Carol would describe it, their essence). She also expressed the importance of understanding the essence of place through Indigenous stories and wisdom. One of the ways that we do this at TDi, is learning the Indigenous seasons of a place when we can. In Aboriginal cultures, seasons vary greatly from place to place, sometimes as few as two, or as many as six or seven seasons, responsive to the environment. At the moment, its Petyan season in Victoria - or the season of wildflowers, like the beautiful Showy Parrot-Pea in this image (courtesy of Neville Walsh via vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au). Are you familiar with the Aboriginal seasons of where you work/live? Do you know the Aboriginal country you reside on? Do you know the local peoples who are the custodians and how they used the land?

17.01.2022 In our work, we often uncover threads with the people we work with and places we work...

17.01.2022 Were excited to once again partner with innovative Papua New Guinean businesswomen! Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea is supporting us to deliver 12 weeks of targeted coaching to 20 businesses, including participants from the Guria Accelerator and Laikim Sister. SMEs in PNG are faced with significant challenges as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and early estimates suggest many of these previously supported businesses have lost 70 per cent or more of their reve...nue. Businesses have expressed a desire for support to find new revenue streams, pivot their business model and manage their cashflow. Well keep you updated as we work with them to adapt to COVID-19 by providing guidance on business strategy and emotional support through tough times. NOTE: Photos where social distancing and mask wearing is not featured were taken prior to the current COVID-19 situation. Please be assured that all measures are being undertaken to keep our partners and communities safe.

16.01.2022 Today, on International Day of Worlds Indigenous, we celebrate and continue to be inspired by the Indigenous Business Owners that we work with in Australia and across the Pacific. The types of businesses they build are more inclusive, thoughtful, and fair and we hope that they, and businesses like them will be at the centre of the economy that follows this crisis.

16.01.2022 "I feel so much stronger and supported, I feel a lot clearer in terms of my goals, vision and purpose!" Over the past three years, we have been working with Indigenous Business Australia to deliver an accelerator program for Indigenous entrepreneurs. The program considers walking in two worlds - the western business context, and the cultural protocols, traditions and stories of each entrepreneur. You can read more about the work here: https://buff.ly/3h1blMk

14.01.2022 To survive and thrive as an SME you need to think on your feet and be adaptable. A survivors mindset is one of an entrepreneur!" These are the words of Cecelia Kanawi who was a participant in the Laikim Sister program. We recently caught up with Cecelia to hear what shes been up to and how shes coping with COVID-19. She is one of 20 PNG businesses women were supporting with backing from Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea to provide tailored coaching for over th...e next few months. Like many businesses in PNG and around the world, Cecelias catering business came to a halt when COVID-19 hit and she had to adopt the survivors mindset and adapt. Shes been working in her sisters construction business, and recently decided to turn her passion health and fitness into work. Shes now running fitness classes and is using her traditional cooking and catering skills to prepare healthy meal boxes for her clients. Were so inspired by Cecelias attitude and ability to pivot!

14.01.2022 When COVID hit, I was working with my partner in his tourism business - coordinating and admin. When cruise ships and tourists stopped coming, we were hit hard financially. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade or jam? Thats exactly Nemika Brunton did in the face of COVID-19. We chatted with Nemika recently about starting Yanua Kitchen jam-making after her partners tourism business was impacted by COVID-19. Read more of her story here: https://tdi.org.au/when-life-gives-you-lemons-pivot-your-b/ (image: Nemika is presenting her jam to Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Esaala, the Hon. Davis Steven)

13.01.2022 'At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.'

13.01.2022 How are you really doing? This is what Ive begun to ask my team, our partners and clients. To name resilience in someone, we first need to create spaces of empathy, to listen, to sit alongside them in the paradox of emotions. And to acknowledge the true personal cost of being resilient. Read my reflection here: https://tdi.org.au/resilience-at-what-cost/

13.01.2022 You'll want to grab your pen and paper when you listen to this edition of the big little brush Good Sesh podcast featuring TDi's Isaac Jeffries. He shares the 3 main ways that business can make an impact, what to do if you have an idea to do good and make money, plus he recommends some of his favourite resources. https://open.spotify.com/show/1DEYPV4dUH7Wn3Vb2oLGeE

12.01.2022 One of the impacts of COVID-19 has been the slowing or complete shut down of retail. This has impacted many of the businesses we work with, shutting off a key revenue stream. We chatted to a few of them about how they pivoted to building or sharpening their online presence and selling direct to customers instead. Kylie-Lee from Kakadu Tiny Tots said "We took a massive hit like many!! Our wholesale folded over night which was really hard for us as we supply to mainly airport...s and tourist destinations. We very quickly had bring put all our attention into our ecommerce and what our [online] customers looks like. We also looked for large ecommerce eco stores to partner with and we are now stocked with the likes of Flora and Fauna, Biome, Nourished life!" Jess from Bilum & Bilas shared similar sentiments "growing our online sales was always a part of the strategy, but the impact of COVID-19 on our physical retail and wholesale has pushed us to do it sooner. Especially with the second lockdown in Port Moresby meaning people cant visit our studio at the moment. Were learning as we go and adapting fast to the differences of buying online vs. in the store!"

11.01.2022 So that’s what motivates me. There’s 80 million other refugees stuck around the world that the government and world see as this problem. And slowly but surely through our work, we are changing that opinion. We’re showing that people want to contribute and have skills and talents that can fill skills gaps around the world and there will be a pipeline of talent for new industry. Anna and Nirary from Refugee Talent really understand and are passionate about the problem they ar...e trying to solve through their social enterprise. Since we met them in the 2016 Two Feet Accelerator, ran in partnership with NAB they have taken on two rounds of investment, branched out their service offerring, and are now working with TDi again, in partnership with Impact Investing Australia, as they prepare for a third round of investment. We recently caught up with them and share their story here - https://tdi.org.au/where-are-they-now-refugee-talent/ #socialenterprise #investment #impactinvestment #entrepreneur #socialentrepreneur

11.01.2022 FOR OUR VICTORIAN NETWORK: Did you know that in addition to the first round of the Victorian Governments $500 million stimulus through the Business Support Fund, they have released an additional round in light of the Stage 4 restrictions. You may be eligible for a one-off $10,000 grant. Next round closes on 13 Sept. Head to our support hub for more info: https://tdi.org.au/covid/ Also be sure to check your local council for business support, or if youre not based in Victoria, check your state governments website. #victorialockdown #businesssupport #melbournebusiness

11.01.2022 We love these earrings from Bilum & Bilas, and the story that come with them. They make a beautiful wardrobe staple or gift. To see more Bilum & Bilas or other gift ideas - weve put together a #shopsocialenterprise guide featuring some of the businesses weve worked with over the last 18 months. Check it out here:https://tdi.org.au/supporting-social-enterprise-during-cov/

10.01.2022 In this piece by Arti Chetty, she describes what the Pacific Climate Warriors (PCW) 350 Pacific call for in a #JustRecovery response to COVID-19. Choices we make today will shape our society, economy, health, and climate for decades to come. "While change is inevitable, especially in the face of climate change and now COVID-19, a just transition to equitable structures is not. A #JustRecovery is not only to be demanded of government as they propose alarming new policies, but... something we all need to participate in. We can build these structures in our families, our neighbourhoods and in the way we ourselves operate. We do this by telling stories, building communities, collaborating with others in acknowledgment of our own capacity to build new and sustainable projects." We believe in and have witnessed the power of community-based responses. Learn more: https://climates.org.au//06/24/rarangaa-taai-aika-ana-roko/

10.01.2022 On Tuesday Night, Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge aired on ABC, starring none other than our teammate Meagan Williams and her family, as well as the CEO of Hepburn Wind, Taryn Lane, who continues to be a close partner to TDi. The show is another much needed advocacy piece from Craig Reucassel, from the War on Waste. Last nights episode argued for corporate accountability, government leadership and individual and community action. Its time we took back the narrative on whats possible and get moving, fast.

10.01.2022 Last year in recognition of #NAIDOC week, we asked some of our friends to share what NAIDOC week means for them. In light of NAIDOC week 2020, we want to share these with you again. Here is the first of 2, this one from Tanyah Nasir at Tanyah Nasir Consulting Services. https://www.facebook.com//a.3330592135138/1379883965498011

10.01.2022 Kate Raworths work is inspired by Donella Meadows and we love this quote she shared in the Small Giants conversation we attended. For us, it captures the power of a good question, and how to reconsider the goals we want for our future economy and society.

09.01.2022 Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists. Australia has the world’s oldest oral stories. The First Peoples engraved the world’s first maps, made the earliest paintings of c...eremony and invented unique technologies. This week, we at TDi will be reflecting on what truth telling and traditional ownership means for us. #NAIDOC2020 #NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOC

07.01.2022 At TDi, we work alongside leaders to create shared value strategy, business model design and impact measurement frameworks. We seek out new ways to demonstrate a market-based approach to poverty alleviation. We can do this through: - Impact Investment - Shared Value Opportunities... - Design & Strategy - Business Accelerator Partnerships Through our connection to Indigenous and Pacific Entrepreneurs If you would like to talk to us about how we could work with your organisation, please get in touch at www.tdi.org.au.

06.01.2022 There’s a saying 'it takes a village to raise a child'. This saying can also be applied to social enterprise, and business looking to do good in the world. These models are tough to build, and they need support and help. Refugee Talent is a good story of how that support has kicked in at different stages of their journey to propel them forward. In this piece by TDi's CEO, Anthea Smits, we reflect on the eco-system that makes this possible - https://tdi.org.au/it-takes-a-village/

06.01.2022 "My new yoga mat from Kakadu Tiny Tots. Im in love with it. I almost didnt want to stand on it, its so beautiful." Over the last 18 months we have worked with some incredible social enterprises. Those businesses and small businesses like them are the lifeblood to our economy, and its been a rough year. Weve put together a #shopsocialenterprise guide with some of the businesses weve worked with - and are buying from, just like Annie and her yoga mat - to provide you with some shopping inspiration. Check it out here: https://tdi.org.au/supporting-social-enterprise-during-cov/

06.01.2022 "There were a lot of little different businesses, operating by themselves. I could just see the possibility: if there was a kind of big space where everyone could be brought together and there was training and we had the access to an international marketplace - what could we do with that?" Sometimes an idea becomes something truly incredible. We love helping social entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life through inclusive sustainable business models. We recently caught up with Anna Robertson, founder of YEVU who participated in our 2016 Two feet Accelerator program for early stage entrepreneurs. You can read the full interview here -https://tdi.org.au/two-feet-accelerator-where-are-they-now/

05.01.2022 "Ive taken to asking the question how are you really doing?" TDis CEO, Annie Smits, wrote a recent piece around Resilience, at what cost? during this time. You can read it here: https://tdi.org.au/resilience-at-what-cost/ Today is R U OK? Day and we think that it is very timely. R U OK?Day is an initiative of R U OK? a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone struggling with lifes ups and downs. ... To find out more, please visit www.ruok.org.au

05.01.2022 As we head into this new season, theres so much potential to make an impact in your community. If youre a Not for Profit, woman in leadership or working in Youth Advocacy - here are some interesting grants to consider. Theyre closing within the next two weeks though! So better get in quick. https://www.facebook.com/thegrantshub/posts/1670279109802282

05.01.2022 I would much rather receive a box of paints over a bar of gold. The bar of gold would only become an object of obsession that I must protect. Its great value would lie to rest in the darkness of a safe or lock-box somewhere. Having it would give me security. But I would never sell it because selling it would mean I would not have it and Id fear the insecurity of not having it. The gold would close me in upon myself. A box of paints, however, would beckon me to explore. The box of paints would be an invitation to participate in the creation of something. This beautiful quote from Lance Bakers recent article: https://buff.ly/3kfEMN9 has got us thinking about how we define value... how do you define it? Do you think it will change or has changed as a result of this years events?

05.01.2022 We could all use a bit of hope right now! So, lets ask ourselves, how can we be hope?

04.01.2022 While we work with businesses all over Australia and the Pacific, were based in Melbourne where renewed restrictions have left us feeling a little deflated. This quote has really helped us think about what were in right now.

03.01.2022 First bushfires, now COVID-19 - when borders reopen theres both reason and appetite to travel domestically. Weve been using this second lock down to dream of where where wed like to go next... Shannon wants to take her family to WA, and in particular, Broome. Friend of TDi, and incredible entrepreneur, Robert Dann, runs Kimberley Cultural Adventures Broome where he shares a small slice of 40,000 years of Broome and Kimberley culture. On his tour he shares local Aboriginal history including the Stolen Generation, the pearling history of the area, and local bush tucker. Have you considered Indigenous-led tourism or experiences for your next trip? Where are you dreaming of going?

01.01.2022 Today we celebrate #socialenterprise and #socialentrepreneurs in recognition of #socialenterpriseday2020. TDi has worked with hundreds of social enterprises and entrepreneurs and we are constantly inspired by the work that they do and impact that they have. Recently we've caught up with some of our past Two Feet Accelerator enterprises. You can hear from Anna at YEVU as she shares her vision for the future of her social enterprise based in Ghana (https://tdi.org.au/two-feet-...accelerator-where-are-they-now/) or Anna and Nirary from Refugee Talent and what motivates them (https://tdi.org.au/where-are-they-now-refugee-talent/). We also celebrate the #differencemakers in our Ode here - https://tdi.org.au/About/. Happy #socialenterpriseday2020!