What happens when a powerhouse room of female entrepreneurs and business leaders gathers in Adelaide’s western suburbs to explore scaling up? You get an evening filled with insight, inspiration, unexpected moments of vulnerability—and practical tools to grow your business with confidence and clarity.
Hosted by the City of Charles Sturt and supported by the South Australian Government’s Office for Small and Family Business through the Connecting Women in Business Grant, the final Women in the West workshop for this series featured special guest speaker Wendy Perry, Managing Director of Workforce BluePrint and Founder of Switch Start Scale.
From the moment Wendy took the stage, the energy shifted. Comments from the audience captured the mood:
“Thanks again for the incredibly amazing presentation, Wendy! You’re a great role model to so many women 💖✨”
“What an amazing nig
ht! I’ve learned so much from Wendy Perry—You are not only inspiring but truly motivating.”
“Loved it! Even the part where you picked on me to share my story and ‘what scaling up’ looks like for me, with the whole room 😆 such a great event.”
What Scaling Up Really Means
Wendy introduced a mindset shift: scaling up isn’t just about growing bigger—it’s about growing better.
Using real-life examples from her work with entrepreneurs and businesses across Australia and internationally, Wendy broke down barriers that commonly block growth—like self-doubt, unclear plans, or lack of support.
“You scale when you align your plan, funds, people, drive and delivery,” Wendy shared. “Take ACTION to get the results you deserve.”
A Surprise or Two
One participant summed it up best: “Was a really insightful evening thanks so much! Even with me being a surprise part of the presentation 🙃”
The workshop took on a dynamic edge as attendees were invited to reflect on their own scaling journeys—on the spot. From surprise call-outs to shared stories, the evening became an interactive experience that left everyone feeling seen and supported.
Another guest remarked: “This is the first SA event I've attended in a while and I'm so glad I did. Your scaling up presentation came just at the right time and I connected with so many great women!”
What You Can Do Next
Whether you attended or missed out, there are several ways to stay connected and take action:
- Photos from the event will be shared on the Charles Sturt Business Facebook page.
- Complete the short event survey to help shape future events: Survey Link.
- Sign up to the Western Business Leaders newsletter via the City of Charles Sturt to hear about upcoming workshops and networking opportunities.
Wendy also encouraged attendees to prepare and be ready for opportunities, noting the importance of having key business documents at the ready—like your capability statement, pitch deck, testimonials, and up-to-date LinkedIn profile. And to explore new client pathways, including government tenders and innovation funding streams such as:
As the room emptied, it was clear that this wasn’t just another workshop—it was a moment of momentum. A chance for women in business to rethink what scaling up means and leave with practical ideas, new connections, and the confidence to take their next big step.
“Thanks for your insightful presentation Wendy. Loved it. Great night. Have an enjoyable, and no doubt very productive, trip.”
To stay in touch with Wendy Perry and access her events, coaching or resources:
- 🌐 wendyperry.com.au
- 🌐 workforceblueprint.com.au
- 🌐 switchstartscale.com.au
- 🌐 seatovalleystartups.com.au
Were you there too? What did you take away from the evening? Share your highlights on social media and tag Charles Sturt Business on Facebook or connect via LinkedIn.