Empower Digital

10/07/2025

Got questions about the Empower Digital | IBA Digital Catalyst Program?
Here’s what you need to know:
• It’s FREE
• It’s for First Nations service-based businesses
• It helps you grow online
• Includes a 3-day in-person workshop (based in Towooomba, Qld, for cohort 1)
• Cohort 1 applications close TODAY!

https://empowerdigital.com.au/pages/digital-catalyst-program

10/07/2025

8 weeks to learn, build and grow!

Our digital catalyst program combines online group workshops, 1-1 support and a 3-day in-person intensive to ensure you have the capability & confidence for sustainable growth.

Here’s how it works:

ONLINE PREP
We spend 2 weeks preparing for our time together. We’ll have 2 online workshops, and a little bit of homework to gather your resources and ensure you’re prepared for our weekend intensive

IN-PERSON TRAINING
We’ll spend 3 days together, learning to use digital tools, building our websites and writing our capability statements, along with forming connections with other businesses to support each other into the future.

FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT
We’ll then spend 4 weeks of online workshops diving into social media, data driven decision making and more. You’ll also access 1-1 coaching to ask questions that are specific to your business, and to keep the momentum going.
This training is:
• Structured
• Supportive
• Designed to walk together, with nobody left behind.

The application deadline for cohort 1 is Friday June 11 – find more info here:
https://empowerdigital.com.au/pages/digital-catalyst-program

08/07/2025

🖤💛❤️ Happy NAIDOC Week 2025! 💚💙🤍

This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” celebrates 50 years of honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence - and reminds me why Carmel and I co-founded and built our POS Cafe Shopify app: to put digital tools in the hands of the next mob of entrepreneurs.

I was humbled to share that journey on 's brand-new New Dreaming Podcast with the deadly . In our yarn, we covered:

• growing up as a proud Wamba Wemba man and translating cultural values into tech leadership
• guiding First Nations businesses from social to ecommerce at a pace that respects Community
• what’s next for Indigenous innovation in the Shopify ecosystem

Listen here: https://youtu.be/ZykkV9osBc8

Big thanks to IBA for creating spaces where our stories shape the legacy the next generation will inherit. Let’s keep lifting each other so “strength, vision and legacy” become the norm - not the exception.

05/07/2025

“I knew I needed a website and to get online, but I didn’t know where to start”

If this sounds like you (or one of your clients), our Digital Catalyst Program is here to help!

It’s practical, supportive and free. We’re committed to helping you:
- Build your website
- Create your capability statement
- Learn digital tools like AI
- Grow your visibility online

The application deadline for cohort 1 is Friday June 11 – find more info here:

https://empowerdigital.com.au/pages/digital-catalyst-program

01/07/2025

Applications are now open for our Digital Catalyst Program!

In partnership with Indigenous Business Australia, we are excited to offer this free digital capability program for First Nations service-based businesses who want to take control of their online presence and grow their business. This program is a blend of online and in-person delivery over 8 weeks.

Participants walk away with:
* A professional website
* Capability statement
* Skills and confidence using digital tools to enhance their business (think AI, social media and an optimised Google Business Listing)

We can't wait to meet you! Applications for cohort 1 (3-day in-person workshop August 15-17 in Toowooomba, Qld) close Friday July 11. More information and application form can be found at https://empowerdigital.com.au/pages/digital-catalyst-program

25/01/2025

We’re excited to announce the first Warwick event for 2025! Whether you’re a First Nations entrepreneur, a local business ally, or simply someone interested in forging meaningful connections within our community, we warmly invite you to be a part of this event.

RSVP: https://www.blackcoffee.net.au/event/warwick-feb-2025/

Date: Friday 14th February, 2025
Time: 7:00am - 9:00am

Location:
Jojo's on Victoria
145 Victoria St
Warwick Qld 4370

Light refreshments provided

Sponsored by:

Please RSVP via the registration link above by Monday February 10, 2025.

Come along and join our Warwick Black Coffee co-ordinators, Adam & Carmel Wooding and Acciona Energia for Black Coffee in Warwick.

A word from our hosts:

ACCIONA Energía, the world’s largest 100% renewable energy company without a fossil fuel legacy, has been operating in Australia for over two decades.

Our unique ‘build, own and operate’ model demonstrates our long-term commitment to the regions where we work. We collaborate with landowners and regional communities to produce renewable energy, create jobs, and deliver a positive social impact. With a track record of successful projects across Australia and dedicated local teams, we deliver the best renewable energy projects in the country.

Our First Nations Team and our Procurement Team are keen to Listen, Create and Learn from First Nations communities, individuals and businesses in your area.

---

Black Coffee is a grassroots First Nations business networking opportunity held in regions across Australia each month to provide a platform to connect micro and small business owners. First Nations business owners, professionals, and their supporters are invited to get together and have a yarn.

29/10/2024

The last 6 weeks have been a whirlwind, with SO much happening and everything culminating in the awards last Thursday.

We are incredibly honoured to announce that @empowerdigitalau has won the Indigenous Digital Inventiveness Award for our Shopify app, POS Cafe, along with our training & consulting work with Indigenous businesses.

This moment is about so much more than just us – it’s a celebration of the creativity and resilience of Indigenous entrepreneurs across the country. Witnessing the impact and commitment of our fellow honorees was truly inspiring, especially under this year’s Indigenous Business Month theme, Making Our Mark.

Congratulations also to our fellow award winners:
- Aron Kurzydlo, Project Net Zero – Indigenous Ingenuity Award
- Mick Prien, Townsville CBD Electrical – Regional Business Award
- Deborah Hoger, Riley Callie Resources – I2I Award

Thank you also to the Indigenous Business Month founders, Mayrah Sonter, Dr Michelle Evans, and Leesa Watego, for recognising the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs and to the sponsors and everyone who supports Indigenous Business Month.

We are excited to continue to Make Our Mark by supporting Indigenous businesses to restore trade songlines in the digital age.

Professional photos by Joseph Mayers

11/10/2024

The 'Business at Dusk' event presents a wonderful occasion for mingling with the vibrant business community.

Hosted at Assumption College in collaboration with the Warwick Chamber of Commerce and Stanthorpe & Granite Belt Chamber of Commerce, this gathering is the perfect setting to forge new connections over delightful drinks and light refreshments.

It's an event that promises to blend professional networking with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, ideal for sparking conversations and potential collaborations.

📅 Tuesday, 15 October 2024
⏰ 5:30 pm
📍 6 Locke Street, Warwick QLD 4370

RSVP via link by Tuesday, 8 October 2024 - https://forms.office.com/r/Mg9U3LApa5

04/10/2024

So grateful to have been featured by Indigenous Business Australia for ! IBA has been a huge help to us throughout our business journey & we'd highly recommend any First Nations founders get in touch & hook in to their wonderful support :)

Feeling good this Friday with Adam and Carmel from Empower Digital a First Nations eCommerce business that’s going from strength to strength and expanding to meet the needs of their customers. 🖤

This awesome family business specialises in one-on-one digital support and e-commerce training for small and medium businesses who want to sell products online. They have also recently built an app specifically for Shopify Point of Sale called POS Cafe. The app allows businesses like cafes and coffee shops more flexibility to sell products that need complex modifications (like milk type or sweeteners).

They say: “For us, this app sprang from our relationship with our clients, and a deep investment of ourselves into solving problems that matter to them. Whilst it is different to our previous core offerings of Shopify training & consulting, our vision and mission remain the same in our commitment to empowering those we serve with the knowledge, skills, confidence and tools to achieve long term business success that will benefit themselves, their families and the wider community.

“We are so grateful for the strong connections we've forged within the First Nations business community and beyond. Being part of a community makes it easier to take risks, try new things, and, we believe, reminds you (or holds you accountable to) your core vision and mission.”

03/10/2024

🚀 Boost Your Business with the Business Basics Grant!

Are you a Queensland small business looking to take your e-commerce to the next level? The Business Basics Grant is offering up to $7,500 to help you build or improve your online store — and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

At Empower Digital, we specialise in building and migrating Shopify stores, so you can sell physical products, services, or digital goods with ease. With our expert training and optional branding & photography packages, we’ll make sure your store stands out.

⏳ Applications are open now — don't miss out! Contact us today to find out how we can help you apply for the grant and set up your store for success! 🌟

🔗 If you want to learn more about the grant or need help with your application, please contact us or find out more information at the following link:

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/business-basics-grant

23/09/2024

We’re excited to announce the fourth Warwick Black Coffee - Indigenous Business Network event. Whether you’re a First Nations entrepreneur, a local business ally, or simply someone interested in forging meaningful connections within our community, we warmly invite you to be a part of this event.

RSVP: https://www.blackcoffee.net.au/event/warwick-black-coffee-3-2/

Date: Friday 11th October, 2024
Time: 7:30am - 9:00am

Location:
One Table Cafe & Function Centre Warwick
Churches of Christ Campus
223 Dragon St
Warwick Qld 4370

Breakfast is included:
Scones and fruit

Sponsor:
Southern Downs Regional Council

This event is being sponsored by Southern Downs Regional Council and is in conjunction with both Queensland Mental Health Week and Indigenous Business Month.

Celebrated annually in October, Queensland Mental Health Week promotes the importance of mental health and wellbeing and aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Join us for the 10th annual Indigenous Business Month celebrating and bringing our community together.

Black Coffee is a grassroots First Nations business networking opportunity held in regions across Australia each month to provide a platform to connect micro and small business owners. First Nations business owners, professionals, and their supporters are invited to get together and have a yarn.

30/08/2024

We're so proud of our daughter and her friend for starting their own business "The Pocket Money Slime Co". They have been working very hard and were featured in the local paper yesterday. Congratulations Clare and Aylisity!