NEW WiRE PROGRAM INITIATIVE!

Introducing the NEXT CHAPTER VENTURE LAB:
Where QLD and WA Women Turn Their Skills and/or Experience into Profit and Impact

Applications close on 16 January 2026, unless all places are filled before that date.

A road-map to innovating yourself and your ideas while stepping into your next chapter.

The Next Chapter Venture Lab is a 10-week online entrepreneurial journey offering an achievement- and outcomes-focused experience for rural, regional, and remote women in Queensland and Western Australia who are ready for their next chapter and want to start or grow a venture or initiative that matters.

In this cohort, you will not only connect with women in your own state, but you’ll also share and learn alongside like-minded rural, regional and remote women from Queensland and Western Australia. You will hear how others in very different landscapes are navigating similar challenges, using AI, creativity, and community to build their next-chapter ventures. Different places, different stories, shared courage.

Across the two states (QLD and WA), participants meet weekly in a live 90-minute Lab session where they are guided through a practical journey of clarity, venture design and progress, tech and AI that feels supportive, testing ideas, and building real momentum. Between sessions, participants work on an individual, personal 10-week goal, supported by reflection and action and simple AI tools that act as thinking partners, not replacements.

By bringing Queensland and Western Australian women together, the Lab creates a cross-state community where participants learn from different landscapes, industries and experiences while discovering how much they share. The focus is on building ventures and initiatives that fit real lives, local contexts, and personal values, rather than chasing a one-size-fits-all model.

The Lab is ideal for women who feel ready for something new, want to use their skills and experience in a fresh way, and would value structured support, AI-enhanced tools and a trusted circle of peers across both states.

If this sounds like you, the NEXT CHAPTER VENTURE LAB is for you:

• “I am ready for a new chapter. I want to use my skills and experience to build something meaningful, something that lasts, and makes a positive impact”.

• “I have a mix of skills and experience that could really help people, but I don’t know where to start, how to profit from them, or how to turn them into a clear offer”.

• “I want to share my expertise online, although I worry my skills will be judged or misunderstood”.

• “I am not clear which audience values my specific skills the most, so my message feels broad, and I don’t know how to tailor it so it lands with the right people”.

• “I want to market my work, although turning my skills and experience into sales conversations feels awkward and salesy”.

• “I know my skills create real outcomes; however, I second-guess my pricing and don’t know how to charge for the level of experience I bring”.

• “I have shifted careers and, even with strong skills and experience, I sometimes feel like an imposter and question whether my skills are credible in a new context”.

• “I have deep, hard earned experience, although I struggle to translate it into a clear method and outcomes that my clients or customers can understand quickly”.

• “I want to use my experience online safely and professionally, and I am unsure what privacy settings and client boundaries to put in place”.

• “I have great skills and experience, but I’m unsure how to build my brand and make it clear so people can see what makes me different”.

Are you ready to build what’s next? On your terms?

Join our upcoming initiative, a focused, 10-week, action-packed experiential Next Chapter Venture Lab, if you want to:

• step into your next chapter and turn clarity into action, and courage into momentum;

• turn your skills and knowledge into profit by building and progressing your venture, launching a side business, or building an entrepreneurial initiative inside your organisation; and

• redefine success to thrive regardless of your stage in life.

Access tailored support and AI tools, learn cutting-edge entrepreneurial strategies in achieving the above, and then plug into a powerful women’s network to turn your next-chapter vision into reality.

What is the Next Chapter Venture Lab?

The Next Chapter Venture Lab helps women turn their skills and experience into profit and impact, confidently. It is a WiRE Program pilot initiative designed for women in QLD and WA Rural, Regional and Remote enterprises who are ready for a new chapter and want a practical, values-aligned way to earn from what they know.

You will package what you already do well into a clear offer, price it fairly, show visible proof online, and build simple systems that fit real life. We blend strategy, creative learning, and supportive community with the smart use of AI as your co-pilot, so you design, test, and grow with less overwhelm and more momentum.

Next Chapter Venture Lab = Strategy + creative learning + AI + community.

An initiative of the award-winning WiRE Program, built on the success of supporting over 4,000 women through a community-first approach.

Why join

We believe women ANYWHERE are capable of achieving ANYTHING.

Participation in the Next Chapter Venture Lab is what YOU need to accomplish your #1 next entrepreneurial intention/goal across a 10-week period, while laying the foundation for or growing a venture that reflects your purpose, values, and legacy..

The Next Chapter Venture Lab provides you with the opportunity to:

• design, progress and accomplish your #1 next entrepreneurial or business growth goal or intention in 10 weeks! With three major lead measures you set along the way;

• link, share, learn and be supported by like-minded entrepreneurial women who you wouldn’t otherwise have access to;

• be supported by entrepreneurial mentors, experts and a facilitator;

• be part of a unique entrepreneurial community where you can learn from each other's mistakes, exchange tips of the trade, pass on knowledge, build connections, learn new business skills and be held accountable for your entrepreneurial progress; and

• learn and apply the latest innovative and AI strategies to progress your next chapter, your venture and your legacy.

Who can apply

You are:

• a woman in rural, regional or remote Queensland and Western Australia ready to turn your skills and experience into profit and impact by starting or growing a venture, side business, or intrapreneurial project.

• willing and able to commit for 10 weeks, and meet online with your Lab peers, mentors and facilitator for 90 minutes per week;

• willing to set clear personal and venture intentions and goals for the 10-week Lab, actively participate and progress your goals during the 10 weeks;

• open to confidential exchange of learning in the Lab;

• ready to engage in a vibrant like-minded community; and

• willing to participate in program and self-evaluation to gauge your progress, experience, and overall program impact.

What you’ll achieve in 10 weeks

1. A defined next-chapter venture goal or intention

2. A pathway to step into and progress your next chapter and venture goals based on frameworks, reflections, actions, habits and thoughtful infusion of AI

3. A validated concept or prototype (Minimal viable product, pilot, or proof of progress)

4. Clear positioning, marketing, messaging, channels, first customers/clients)

5. Confidence & community (mentors, peers, and a Progression Facilitator)

How the Lab Works

• Attending a Weekly Live Lab (90 mins): Facilitation + expert strategies + AI-supported sprints

• Peer accountability: Accountability, feedback loops, and support

• Progression Facilitator: Practical support to keep your goal on track

• Mentors & Experts: Targeted sessions on addressing and actioning topic areas covered during the 10 weeks

• On-Platform Community: Dedicated space for resources, co-working, and wins

• Accessibility: Skill-building and AI play sessions recorded; online access to facilitator and peers between weekly sessions to support momentum.

When is it:

The 10-week Lab will kick off on Friday, 6 February 2026.

The program will run as a dual state model:

A Queensland Lab, meeting via Zoom on Fridays from 7.00 am to 8.30 am AEST (Queensland time)

A Western Australian Lab, meeting via Zoom on Fridays from 7.00 am to 8.30 am AWST (Western Australian time)

Each cohort participates in the same 10-week program, tailored to the local context, with at least 3 cross-state sessions during those 10 weeks, during which participants meet in a combined online Lab.   The cross-state sessions will occur in Weeks 1, 4, and 9 during the time slot scheduled for the Western Australian Lab at 7.00 am to 8.30 am AWST (Western Australian time), which is 9.00 am to 10.30 am AEST (Queensland time).   

Between Lab sessions, participants can connect, share, ask questions and collaborate in a private online space called ‘The WiRE Connection’ on the Mighty Networks platform. Participants will have ongoing access to the platform after the 10-week Lab.

Themes

Four guiding themes of the Lab: Next Chapter; Start or Grow Your Venture; Legacy Building; and using AI as a collaboration partner.

The 10-Week Learning by Doing Themes

The following knowledge themes will be explored during the 10 weeks (this may still change depending on the needs of the participants), while you work on your number 1 goal over the 10 weeks:

1. Orientation, Clarity and Your AI Collaborator (Cross State Lab Session)

   Theme: Stepping into your next chapter with courage, clarity and support

   This week is about taking yourself seriously. You will name what this next chapter is really about for you, what you want to build, and how you want to feel while you build it. Your peers and AI join you as reflection partners, helping you turn scattered thoughts into clear intentions, identity statements and simple focus goals.

2. Audience, Authentic Insight and Listening with AI

   Theme: Discovering who you are here to serve and what they truly need

   Here we move from guessing to discovering your people. You will explore who you feel called to support, what they are struggling with, and why your work is timely. AI becomes a research assistant, helping you sift through language, patterns and feedback so you can speak to real humans, not imaginary avatars.

3. Offer, Legacy Model and Peer & AI Assisted Design

   Theme: Shaping a meaningful offer that fits your life and impact

   You will turn your experience, ideas and skills into a simple offer that feels doable, with a basic model that supports both income and impact. Your peers and AI will help you brainstorm formats, compare options, and stress test ideas, so you can make decisions that feel aligned with who you are and the legacy you want to build.

4. Story, Voice, Visibility and AI-Supported Marketing (Cross State Lab Session)

   Theme: Finding words, images and messages that feel real to you

   This week is about telling the truth about who you are and what you offer, in a way that feels authentic. You will develop your ultimate elevator pitch and craft a simple intro, short story and message you can use on the web, socials and in sales conversations. Your peers act as a sounding board, and AI acts as your writing studio, helping you draft, refine and simplify language until it sounds like you, only clearer.

5. Your Tech Setup, Systems and AI Support

   Theme: Building with ease, not exhaustion

   We keep the tech light but impactful on your venture. You will identify and play with the essential tools you need for this stage, and set up a simple backbone for communication, content and sales conversions. AI collaborates as a practical helper, showing you how to automate essential aspects of your venture.

6. Prototype, Progress and AI as a Testing Partner

   Theme: Making a small, safe version of your idea and learning from it

   Instead of waiting for perfect, you will build the smallest, simplest version of your offer, event, resource or experience. The intention is to experiment, learn and not impress. AI helps you sketch outlines, create sample content, plan a pilot and gather feedback questions, so you can move from thinking to trying in a supported way.

7. Your Launch

   Theme: Sharing your work with real people in an intentional way

   This week, you will map out a launch that feels human-sized, not overwhelming. That might be an email sequence, a handful of social posts, a webinar, or an invitation to your existing network or audience. AI helps you brainstorm hooks, draft invitations, schedule posts, and rehearse your message, while you stay in charge of tone and boundaries.

8. Pricing, Money, Metrics and AI-Informed Decision Making

   Theme: Making peace with value, numbers and progress

   You will explore how to set pricing that respects your time, skills and life-stage, and define simple measures of success that go beyond revenue alone. AI can model different scenarios, suggest pricing tiers, and help you track basic metrics, so you can make decisions with more information and less anxiety.

9. Community, Connection, Networks, Networking, Building Social Capital and Collaboration (Cross State Lab Session)

   Theme: Building a growth ecosystem so you are not doing this alone

   Here you map your support circle: peers, partners, mentors, early adopters and cheerleaders. You will identify who is already in your world and who you would like to invite in. AI helps you draft outreach messages, identify potential collaborators, and organise touchpoints, while you focus on building genuine, respectful relationships.

10. Ongoing Sales, Integration and Your 90-Day Plan

    Theme: Consolidating evidence, celebrating progress and planning what comes next

    In the final week, you gather proof of what you have built and who you have become. You will also be thinking about product diversification. You will reflect on wins, lessons and data, then create a realistic 90-day plan for ongoing sales, refinement or next steps. AI supports you as a planning partner, helping you summarise insights, structure your roadmap and break goals into gentle, doable actions.

What’s included:

• 10 x live interactive Online Lab sessions (90 mins)

• Structured playbooks, templates, and AI prompts

• Peer Pod accountability & feedback

• Facilitator open office hours

• Private online community with resources and replays

• Showcase & celebration to share your proof (opt-in)

Examples of Individual Goals over the 10 Weeks You May Wish to Tackle

• Develop/innovate your business model and action your business model

• Develop or innovate your business plan

• Create a personal and business resilience plan

• Become an AI savvy entrepreneur to support your next chapter venture

• Develop a minimum viable product (prototype)

• Develop and action your brand voice and customer journey

• Market your innovative idea/product/services/entrepreneurial project

• Build a website that is optimised for search engine optimisation

• Develop a networking or community building strategy

• Develop and execute a marketing systems strategy

• Develop and launch an e-course

• Launch a Podcast series

• Launch a YouTube channel

• Create and implement a digital strategy, including systems/automation

• Innovate your sales strategies to reach your ideal customer

• Get your first customer/client or grow your customer base

• Achieve one or more crucial goals in your venture/business that will fast-track your business, to name a few a few.

Your commitment:

• Attend the virtual onboarding session before participating in the 10-week Lab to clarify mutual expectations.

• Attend weekly online Lab sessions (live) on Friday mornings, 7.00am to 8.30am via Zoom.

• Set a clear next-chapter entrepreneurial goal and track its progress weekly.

• Show up for your peers participating in the Lab and celebrate each other’s wins.

• Share insights; maintain confidentiality; practice generous sharing and peer support.

• Allow time during each week to do the work and progress your main goal for the 10 weeks.

What is the impact of the WiRE Program?

Hear from some of the past participants and hear how the WiRE Program impacted them and their businesses.

Previous Participant Quotes:

• “I achieved more growth in my business in such a short period of time. I would not have thought so much value and action (with support) was possible in such a short period of time”  (Brenda, Cairns)

• “I started during the WiRE program and I took that step because I knew that the WiRE program would give me a sounding board for my ideas, for learning what I did not know and to possibly help someone along in their entrepreneurial journey. It’s helping us to build the women up in Gladstone” (Richa, Gladstone)

• “I feel that the WiRE program has given me the connections that would help to scale it up. I have however started another business for my husband. I have also improved aspects of my own business”  (Mehan, Toowoomba)

• “My venture has come to life in the WiRE program, as that is what I was directly working on in the program. Personally, I have been able to find me. To get something of my very own out of my head and into real life.  I had not only a great facilitator, but the group dynamics was so supportive too. Its sounds cliché bit I have found me and have something great”  (Heather, Charters Towers)

• “Participating in the WiRE program reinforced the skill set I had. It gave me confidence to take action and ask for help when I needed it from women in my network. It has given me freedom to follow my dreams”  (Kym, Toowoomba)

• “The WiRE program allowed me to unlock my potential and unleash it in my business. It has given me knowledge to empower other regional business people”  (Sheena, Kingaroy)

• “The WIRE program was a fantastic opportunity which I was fortunate to be able to access at a time of massive transition in my business where I was starting to work on it full time”  (Erica, Mount Molloy)

View some showcases of some previous WiRE participants HERE

What’s included

• 10 x live interactive Online Lab sessions (90 mins)

• Structured playbooks, templates, and AI prompts

• Peer Pod accountability & feedback

• Facilitator weekly open office hours + guest experts

• Progression facilitator check-ins

• Private online community with resources

• Showcase & celebration to share your proof (opt-in)

Price: FREE, but with the following commitment:

• Attend the virtual onboarding session before participating in the 10-week Lab to clarify mutual expectations.

• Attend weekly online Labs sessions (live) on Friday mornings

• Set a clear next-chapter entrepreneurial goal and progress it weekly

• Show up for your peers participating in the Lab and celebrate your wins

• Share insights; keep confidentiality; practice generous sharing and peer support

• Allow time during each week to do the work and progress your main goal for the 10 weeks

Outcomes you can expect

• Idea, next chapter and legacy clarity

• Tangible proof of progress (e.g. prototype, pilot, customers, or validated shift)

• A simple, repeatable operating rhythm (framework + habits + execution)

• Clarity of message, audience, and offer

• A supportive network that continues beyond the 10 weeks

FAQs

Is this only for startups?
No. It’s for any woman who wants to step into her next chapter and turn their skills and/or experience into profit and impact. Whether it’s a new venture, pivot, comeback, or career evolution.

Do I need to be tech-savvy?
No. We teach practical, copy-and-paste templates and provide step-by-step AI prompts.

What if I miss a session?
Replays of skill-building sessions are available; however, we want you to attend in person unless you really can’t. Your Pod and facilitator help you stay on track.

I’m in a /regional/ rural/remote area - will I fit in?
Absolutely. WiRE’s DNA is inclusivity across regions. Everything runs online and accessibly.

Can I be a Mentor/Pod Leader?
Yes - express interest in the application form.

Are you interested in becoming a Hub Mentor?  (optional)

As part of the Next Chapter Venture Lab program, we are seeking expressions of interest from applicants who are interested in becoming a small-group Pod Mentor and who have previous mentoring, coaching, or people-facilitation experience.

Why become a mentor?

• Hone your facilitation, contribute to a thriving network, and co-create outcomes with entrepreneurial women.

• The role: Facilitate Pod cohesion, encourage engagement, and liaise with the Lab facilitator.

• Support: Mentor training, community of practice, and access to the Lab Facilitator.

About the Next Chapter Venture Lab Facilitator

Retha Wiesner is a professor in entrepreneurship and leadership at UniSQ. She is an award-winning entrepreneurial leader, researcher, and visionary capacity builder in entrepreneurship who has dedicated her career to empowering individuals (especially women) and communities through purpose-driven leadership and entrepreneurship.  

She founded the WiRE Program eight years ago, a flagship initiative designed especially for Rural, Regional and Remote women and changemakers ready to start or grow their ventures.  Her initiatives sit at the intersection of innovation, impact, and inclusion. Retha has led multimillion-dollar research and capacity-building projects, including the WiRE (Women in Rural, Regional, and Remote Enterprise) Program, co-designed high-impact capacity-building models, and pioneered the integration of AI tools into personal and professional development programs for women.

As a facilitator, Retha brings a rare blend of clarity, warmth, rigour and encouragement. She creates spaces where participants feel safe to explore, bold enough to experiment, and confident to take intentional action toward what matters most.

She has developed the current initiative, Next Chapter Venture Lab, for women who are seeking to step into a new chapter, start or grow their venture, build a legacy business, and reimagine what’s next with clarity and creativity.  

PLACES LIMITED! APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 16 JANUARY 2026

Applications are open for the 10-week WiRE Next Chapter Venture Lab. Spaces are limited, so apply today. We’ll review all applications and notify you of the outcome by 23 January 2026 at the latest. Please keep an eye on your inbox for a confirmation email outlining next steps :) Please get in touch with us at wiresupport@wireprogram.com if you have any questions.

To apply, please fill out the following application form: