A Bakery in the Bush

After 14 years working in the oil industry and with a degree in community development, Lawrence Cox of the Ladjardarr Bay Community wanted to do something which would make a positive impact on his community, by making fresh and healthy food more accessible to them.

Mr. Cox got a Microenterprise Loan for $20,000 through the Indigenous Entrepreneurs Program, a partnership between National Australia Bank and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).

With the money, Mr Cox has not only opened Beagle Bay Bakery, but he has also purchased a van so he can take his products to the surrounding communities.

"Because our communities are so remote, I needed to purchase a vehicle so I can distribute our baked goods to the surrounding communities. Further down the track I plan to expand, so a reliable vehicle is the key to doing that successfully", said Mr Cox.

NAB provides Microenterprise Loans to entrepreneurs identified by IBA. In turn, IBA helps each business with their business plan, cash flow projections and advice on how their lives will change once the business opens.

Mr. Cox isn’t stopping there, with this sound advice he is receiving he also wants to set up his family for the future – "I have seven children and fourteen grandchildren to think about – and down the line I would like to see the Bakery be a centre for on-the-job training for young people and cater for the local school".