Shane’s psychology business thriving thanks to Whanu Binal program

By Greg Chapman

Shane Cox’s psychology business is branching out into new ways to help people in need since he joined the CQUniversity-Arrow Energy Whanu Binal Indigenous Entrepreneur Program.

CQUniversity and natural gas company Arrow Energy recently renewed their partnership to continue Whanu Binal, an online program aimed at empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs by providing support and guidance to establish and grow their businesses. 

Since its inception almost five years ago with CQUniversity, Whanu Binal has made a significant impact by providing business owners with additional skills and knowledge to build their networks and develop their business plans.

Shane joined the Whanu Binal program after seeing an advertisement and he says the program has changed his way of thinking about his business.

“In 2020, I independently established the Black Feather Psychology clinic in Logan. Black Feather Psychology is a private practice that provides registered psychologists within our community,” he said.

“We have been able to assist more than 5000 people so far and we continue to grow. The clinic has recently moved into a new premise and provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for clinicians and consumers. 

“As I am upscaling my business, I wanted to connect with other Indigenous business owners to network and see what I could learn. I want to further my knowledge in a practical business sense and apply strategies to help my business through its current growth.”

Now eight weeks into the Whanu Binal Program, Shane said the program has assisted in affirming his business' brand identification, financial structuring and helped with ideas for website development.

“The online interaction is convenient for people who are busy in business and family life,” he said.

“The content has been fluid and builds on previous weeks learnings. The content remains broad and is applicable to a wide range of business structures and business life stages. 

Having grown up in Inala, Shane currently lives in Logan (Yuggera country) with his family. His Indigenous heritage comes from his mother’s side, who traced her ancestry to Central Arrernte. She currently lives in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

Prior to the Whanu Binal program, Shane completed a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts at CQU. He also has a Master of Clinical Psychology from UQ.

He said his aim was to provide better health care services to First Nations communities. 

“Indigenous businesses in health care services are often overlooked for procurement opportunities or thought to be non-existent. Even though these services are essential for our mob, I have come across very little support and resources available,” he said.

“I am thankful for the Whanu Binal program and its inclusiveness to all business types. I look forward to completing the program and encourage mob in business, or thinking of a startup, to consider attending the Whanu Binal program.”

Arrow’s Principal for Indigenous Relations and Social Investment, Shenda Evans, expressed the company’s pride in continuing to support the Whanu Binal program.

“Arrow Energy is committed to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs through a range of initiatives and activities, including the Whanu Binal program,” Shenda said. 

“We’re delighted to see participants like Shane Cox thrive and make a positive impact in their communities.

“Through the partnership with CQUniversity, we’re helping to create a more inclusive and equitable business landscape for Indigenous business owners.

“We look forward to seeing even more Indigenous businesses flourish in the future.”

The Whanu Binal program is free to complete and open to Indigenous business owners, managers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and traditional owners with solid business ideas, who want support to grow their business and develop local economic opportunities for their communities, particularly in the Surat Basin and Bowen Basin regions.

For more information or to submit an expression of interest, please visit the Whanu Binal page on the CQUniversity website.