even more difficult during Covid-19, when access to social networks and infrastructure critical for helping businesses grow and succeed was restricted. Enter co-founders Corinne Kemp and Luz Restrepo, who created the social enterprise Made by Many Hands in 2020 – an online marketplace for stores owned by migrant women in Australia, which also provides support and tools to the entrepreneurs who run these businesses.  As part of the concept, business owners can list their products for free,  and retain 85 per cent of profits made from sales made through the website. The remaining 15 per cent goes toward developing and improving the online platform, as well as creating educational workshops, programs and tools for upskilling. These programs are broad: ranging from environmental packaging to marketing 101, to improving financial literacy. The marketplace is also designed to create a more purposeful shopping experience for consumers, who are seeking to support ethical and sustainable businesses founded by female migrants.   Open and accessible Kemp, who also created the Migrant Women in Business platform with Luz Restrepo, told Inside Retail that many of the migrant and refugee women they were working with faced difficulties taking their business online. The emergence of Covid-19 accelerated the need to create a vibrant and safe online marketplace.  The front end of Made by Many Hands looks like any other marketplace, while the back end is designed to be as seamless as possible for business owners to navigate and list their products. Unlike many other online marketplaces, there are no hidden fees or costs involved.  Now featuring over 60 businesses created by migrant women – with 128 women in the business network – the marketplace provides entrepreneurs with full control over the customer experience, and enables them to tell their brand and personal story. Kemp and Restrepo also established Made by Many Minds, a B2B platform for service providers.    To be eligible to join the marketplace, businesses must be run by female migrants or refugees who live in Australia and sell at least one quality product or service. Beyond this, there are no other restrictions regarding business size, or product type. “We’re about being as open and accessible as possible, and creating sales opportunities that help to build up these brands,” Kemp said. Bridging the cultural divide According to Kemp, the marketplace has been incredibly well received thus far, with the products sold by the community of sellers resonating with the general public. The marketplace is still developing its wholesale network – which is growing at a steady pace – and is encouraging potential stockists to embrace the concept.  Another key element of the social enterprise is forging connections between the business owners. This is particularly crucial for small and medium-sized businesses in Australia, which have to navigate a challenging business landscape.  “It’s challenging for people who are really familiar with the processes here, and it’s doubly so when the business leaders are in an unfamiliar country, with unfamiliar customs and business practices. The business network is all about providing greater support to navigate this landscape,” Kemp said. “We find that once people know about us and our philosophy, it really resonates. People are looking for artisanal products with a story that sits behind it.” Kemp observed that many of the products are environmentally friendly and sustainable – often involving significant amounts of craftsmanship. As an example, she pointed to the work of artist Liliz Lu, who makes sculptures and jewellery using a paper mache technique with recycled products. Made by Many Hands has also been a conversation-starter, generating dialogue around cultural traditions and practices.   “We’ve got quite a big range of food products, for example, which can start a conversation with customers around where the product originated from,” she said. “For many of our artisans, they’re creating products that are really familiar to them, or are importing products from their homeland and supporting artisans back home. It can kickstart a great conversation around their country of origin, and what the meaning of that product might be. “This helps to bridge that cultural divide.”  Working as a collective Made by Many Hands regularly runs accessible networking and training events, and has an active WhatsApp group for members of the community to ask questions and build relationships. Kemp noted that the businesses regularly work together to create a collective offering, such as corporate hampers.  “Creating that business network is one of the most valuable things we’ve been able to do. All the research tells us that a woman in business is more likely to succeed if she’s connected to a network,” Kemp said. “For us, we know that if we can connect these women as part of a network, they are more likely to thrive in that environment. It will also likely lead to better health, education and financial outcomes – it’s just a win-win.”  Social enterprises with a strong purpose are gaining momentum in the Australian business landscape – as they resonate with customers and partners. This can be seen by the success of Clothing the Gaps, Homie and Two Good Co among others.  “I would love to see Made by Many Hands grow to become a strong network of women from across Australia. We’re mostly located across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and I’d love to see it become bigger,” Kemp said. “I’d also like to see it grow in the wholesale space, with corporate Australia and savvy retailers appreciating the quality of the products, and supporting migrant or refugee women who are looking to build a life and business for herself and her family.”