Wyndham City is proud to introduce the IGNITE Wyndham Business Mentoring Program, an initiative designed to match new and emerging Wyndham-based business owners with experienced business leaders who are passionate about sharing their own lived experience of starting, running, and growing a business.
The Program was piloted earlier this year and the results speak for themselves - 100% of mentees rated their overall experience 7/10 or higher and 100% would recommend the program to other business owners.
For any questions, please reach out to the Economic Development Team at business@wyndham.vic.gov.au or call 9742 8170.
What is Mentoring and Why is it Important?
Running a business can be rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. Having a mentor means having someone who’s been there before, someone who can share what worked for them, what didn’t, and what they learned along the way.
Important to note that Mentors in this program are volunteers sharing their personal and professional experiences. They do not provide professional, legal, financial, or accounting advice, and all business decisions remain the responsibility of the Mentee/Participants.
Through mentoring, you can:
- Learn from experience. Gain insight from someone who has already walked the path of business ownership.
- Get practical perspective. Hear real examples and strategies you can adapt to your own situation.
- Build local connections. Grow your network and be part of Wyndham’s supportive business community.
How it Works
- Apply Online: Complete the online application form listed below.
- Matching Process: The Wyndham City team will review applications and pair mentees with suitable mentors based on experience, industry, and business needs.
- Meet and Learn: Once matched, mentors and mentees will meet for at least twice (in person or online). Meetings are flexible and guided by mutual availability.
- Support and Check-ins: Wyndham City Business Support will provide ongoing support and resources to help participants get the most out of the program.
Meet the Mentors
Curious to know who the mentors are? Here are a few of the business leaders that has signed up to be a mentor on a voluntary basis. More mentors will be highlighted here in the coming weeks!
Alex Sy
Founder and Managing Director of Atlas Business Consulting & Mentoring Services
Alex Sy is an experienced business mentor and consultant who helps small business owners, entrepreneurs and start-ups build sustainable and successful businesses.
Owner and Operator of Quest Werribee
Amol Kasaju is the owner and operator of Quest Werribee and the 2024 Wyndham Young Businessperson of the Year.
Founder and Director of Guzman Finance
Andres Guzman is the founder and director of Guzman Finance, a boutique mortgage brokerage helping Australians achieve their property goals.
Founder of Find My Real Estate
Anubhav Aggarwal is the founder of Find My Real Estate (FMRE), a property buyers’ agency that helps Australians build long-term wealth through strategic property investment.
Founder and Managing Director of DataAIT Technologies
Anupam Singh is the Founder and Managing Director of DataAIT Technologies, a Wyndham-based consultancy focused on practical AI and business growth.
Arora Sukhvinder
Business Advisor and Mentor
Arora Sukhvinder is an experienced business advisor who supports small and medium-sized businesses across a range of industries.
Bilal Rafiq,
Owner and CEO of The Alternative Board Werribee
Bilal Rafiq is the owner and CEO of The Alternative Board Werribee, where he helps business owners step back from day-to-day operations and lead with greater clarity and purpose.
Cameron Darke
Business Strategy, Marketing and Growth Consultant
Cameron Darke is a business strategy, marketing and growth consultant with more than 15 years of experience across Australia and Southeast Asia.
Emma Costin
Founder and CEO of EQ Leaders
Emma Costin is the Founder and CEO of EQ Leaders, an award-winning social enterprise delivering leadership and team development programs across Australia and internationally.
Eugene Martin
Owner and Managing Director of Nurse Next Door Werribee
Eugene Martin is the Managing Director of Nurse Next Door Werribee and has more than 20 years of experience across global organisations and his own business ventures. His expertise spans marketing, customer acquisition, business development, operations and healthcare.
Geetanjali Gaba
Founder and Director of Xpertz Consultants
Geetanjali Gaba is the Founder and Director of Xpertz Consultants and an experienced business consultant specialising in NDIS, early childhood education, RTO consultancy and compliance.
Jatinder Singh Aashat
Director of Greenfields Real Estate
Jatinder Singh Aashat is the Director of Greenfields Real Estate and an experienced real estate and business sales professional.
Jayne Ramlakan
CEO of ActionCOACH Melbourne West and Executive and Leadership Coach
Jayne Ramlakan is CEO of ActionCOACH Melbourne West and an experienced executive and leadership coach.
Karthikeyan Viswanathan
Founder of BibVault
Karthikeyan Viswanathan is an entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience across banking, telecommunications, higher education and healthcare.
Kerry Castree
Founder of Power2choose
Kerry Castree is the founder of Power2choose, a wellness coaching practice supporting women through stress, change and new beginnings.
Klodian Popaj
Director of Business and Sales at Popaj Facility Services
Klodian Popaj is the Director of Business and Sales at Popaj Facility Services, a family-owned commercial cleaning and facility services business.
Lorraine Makumbe
Founder, CEO and Head of Therapy at Healthy Kids at Play
Lorraine Makumbe is the Founder, CEO and Head of Therapy at Healthy Kids at Play, a multidisciplinary allied health clinic in Werribee.
Lourdes Piscopo
Owner of Living Prospect Real Estate
Lourdes Piscopo is the owner of Living Prospect Real Estate and brings more than 30 years of experience working in Melbourne's western suburbs.
Namrata Khanchi
Founder of OYO Movers
Namrata Khanchi is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and founder of technology-driven logistics businesses, including OYO Movers. With a background in IT and extensive experience building businesses from the ground up, she specialises in business growth, operations, sales and marketing.
Nidhi Trivedi
Founder and CEO of Nidhi Perception Pty Ltd
Nidhi Trivedi is the Founder and CEO of Nidhi Perception Pty Ltd, a mental health and wellbeing organisation focused on emotional awareness and personal growth.
Nikolche Vajdevski
Founder of Nik Wayde Coaching and Wayde Joinery
Nik is a personal development, leadership and business coach, and founder of both Nik Wayde Coaching and Wayde Joinery.
Priyanka Ramlakan
Business Coach with ActionCOACH Melbourne West
Priyanka Ramlakan is a Business Coach with ActionCOACH Melbourne West and a Chartered Accountant with a background in auditing and business consulting.
Rakesh Singh
Founder of PinnacleEdge Business Coaching
Rakesh Singh is the founder of PinnacleEdge Business Coaching and an experienced business owner and coach based in Melbourne's west.
Robert Bouquet
Founder of Bouquet Creative
Robert "Rob" Bouquet is the founder of Bouquet Creative and has spent more than three decades helping organisations define and strengthen their brands.
Founder and Managing Director of Oz Biz Network
Ross Jennings is the Founder and Managing Director of Oz Biz Network and brings more than 49 years of senior leadership experience across major infrastructure projects and government sectors.
Simon Bradwell
Managing Director of ebm-papst ANZ
Simon Bradwell is the Managing Director of ebm-papst ANZ, an engineering and wholesale business operating in the building services industry.
Sudhir Juneja
Founder of Brands and Biz and The Business Guild
Sudhir Juneja is a business consultant, coach and entrepreneur with experience across both corporate and small business environments.
Timothy Sparrow
Co-founder and CTO
Timothy Sparrow is a sales and go-to-market leader with more than 20 years of experience building and scaling technology and SaaS businesses across Australia, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Tony Ebejer
Owner and Managing Director of Capture Recruitment
Tony Ebejer is the owner of Capture Recruitment and a business leader with more than 20 years of experience in recruitment, leadership and community development.
Usman Iftikhar
Co-Founder and CEO of Catalysr
Usman Iftikhar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Catalysr, an award-winning startup incubator supporting migrant and refugee entrepreneurs across Australia.
Wai Lee Yong
Co-founder of Hopheads
Wai Lee Yong co-founded Hopheads and has successfully grown the business into multiple neighbourhood taprooms and bottle shops in Melbourne's west.
Application - Mentors (This section provides information on how to become a mentor)
We’re seeking experienced business owners or business professionals who are willing to share their time and expertise to support local businesses in Wyndham.
- Mentors participate on an unpaid basis
- Offer up to 6 mentoring sessions in total
- You will be matched to up to 3 Mentees
- Meet with each Mentees twice for 45-60 minutes
- Bring real-world business connection, insights, and experience
- You don’t have to be from Wyndham to be a Mentor!
Benefits of mentoring:
- Give back to the community
- Network at exclusive invite-only events
- Further develop your communications and leadership skills
- Selected Mentors will be highlighted on program webpage
Application - Mentees (This section provides information for those who want to receive mentoring)
We welcome applications from Wyndham-based business owners who are looking for guidance and support to grow their business.
Mentees will:
- Receive free 2 × 45-minute mentoring sessions with a Mentor
- Need to hold an ABN registered in Wyndham or have a physical location in Wyndham
- Be committed to making the most of the mentoring experience by coming prepared to each session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of participating?
The program is free (no cost) for both the mentors and mentees to participate. Mentors will be participating on a voluntary basis / unpaid.
How do I join this program?
All participants (Mentors and Mentee) must complete an application form to determine suitability and eligibility. Our assessment panel will reach out to inform if you have been accepted via email.
How will I get matched?
Wyndham City will review your profile, especially what your business needs are, and match you with the best match, based on availability, skills or background that are aligned to your needs.
How many sessions will I receive?
As a Mentee, you will receive two sessions (45 mins each) from the same mentor. This way, you can discuss the challenges and form some goals and action point in the first session, and use the second session as a follow up discussion.
Mentors are only requested to offer 2 free sessions as part of the program, however it is their choice if they would like to offer further sessions. Any fees or arrangement with the mentors when the two free sessions are exceeded should be discussed openly between Mentee and Mentors so to avoid any misunderstanding.
Will my contact details be shared with program participants?
Your contact details will only be shared with your matched Mentee or Mentors for the purpose of scheduling your sessions. It will not be shared with other program participants.