NEW WiRE PROGRAM INITIATIVE!

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

The Next Chapter Venture Lab is a 10-week entrepreneurial journey for an achievement and outcomes-focused experience: A road-map to innovating yourself and your ideas while stepping into your next chapter.

Applications Open on 20 November 2026

When is it:

        Friday mornings 7.00am to 8.30am via Zoom. Starting 30 January 2026

Applications close on 9 January 2026

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, calmly and confidently. It is a WiRE pilot initiative designed for women 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 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

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

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 and Clarity: Stepping into your next chapter with courage, clarity and intention. Who are you becoming, and what do you want to build next?

2. Audience and Insight: Nail who you serve and why; test assumptions fast. Who needs what I offer and why now?

3. Offer and Model: The value you’re here to create is meaningful and sustainable. What are you really offering and what legacy does it build?

4. Story, Voice and Visibility: Message that resonates (web, social, pitch). How will you share this so it feels real and true to you?

5. You Tech Setup and AI support: Build with ease, not exhaustion. How can technology and AI work alongside your values?

6. Prototype/Minimum Viable Product/Service and Progress: Build to learn, not to impress. What’s the smallest, simplest way to show your product/service works?

7. Your Launch: What is your launch plan?

8. Pricing and Metrics: The pricinf side of things, what does success look like, and how will you measure progress?

9. Community, Connection, and Collaboration: Building your growth ecosystem. How can you map your support ecosystem (peers, partners, collaborators)?

10. Ongoing Sales and Plan Forward: Celebrate, consolidate the evidence and refine, and choose your next step. Creating your next 90-day plan.

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

• 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 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)

When

Friday mornings 7.00am to 8.30am via Zoom. Starting 30 January 2026

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 7.00am to 8.30am via Zoom

• 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 9 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 before or by 14 January 2026. Please keep an eye on your inbox for a confirmation email outlining next steps :) Please contact Retha Wiesner at retha.wiesner@unisq.edu.au if you have any questions.

To apply, please fill out the following application form: