Local youth are loving the Launch Pad program

Published on 08 April 2026

Local entrepreneur and artist, Sha-Lohm Jamieson, is loving participating in the Launch Pad Youth Entrepreneur program.

The 24-year-old from Nambucca Heads said the program was both stretching and nurturing and it was challenging her to consider ways she could expand her artistic practice into a working business.

“I would say the Launch Pad boot camp has been very informative and engaging,” Ms Jamieson said.

“It’s been both helpful and nurturing – the bite-sized learning modules built upon by real interaction with other business people has been great.

“I’m investigating ways I could build on my love of art to make a business, perhaps through making wearable art for sale or through providing workshops. It’s all a bit up in the air at-the--moment, but it’s exciting to have a great space to think in and access to expert guidance.”

The other young people participating in the program from the Nambucca Valley are: 29-year-old Martin Ussher, 27-year-old Lee Collier and 21-year-old Lily Crease.

The program is providing 12-weeks of fully funded business support to 18-30 year-olds who have a business idea or are already running a small business and want help turning it into something solid.

Launch Pad program facilitator and local business person, Julie Humphris, said she has found the program truly rewarding to deliver.

“We’re now four weeks into the program and so far, we’ve covered target marketing, business essentials, branding and financial literacy,” she said.

“The next part of the program is going to get even better, as we drill down into the entrepreneurs’ own business story and provide a professional photoshoot and videography shoot for them to support them to tell their story.

“The finale will be a pop-up shop in the region where they can either test or showcase their work.”

Nambucca Valley Manager Economic Development and Tourism, Janice Rooney, said Council had supported the Launch Pad Youth Entrepreneur program to provide practical opportunities to local youth.

“By partnering with Kempsey Shire Council, Country Universities Centre, and other stakeholders, we are supporting this program which directly responds to the ideas and needs of young people starting out in business,” she said.

“In addition to the boot camp learning sessions, the young people are participating in

Toastmasters in Port Macquarie, micro business forums, and Chamber of Commerce

meetings.

“Participants also gain 1:1 mentoring sessions with highly experienced local business

owners. All of these activities are supercharging their skills.”

ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:

Mr Kristian Enevoldson

DIRECTOR CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

02 6568 2555