Staying employed, maintaining ambition, and being in it for the long haul are just part of Nancy Bamaga’s business journey as the CEO and Managing Director of Black Drum Productions.
Nancy first started her business in the late 1990s, first as a hobby (for around a decade) and for the last three years, as a registered business. While being in business has been great, as a completely self-funded entrepreneur working in the Creative Industries, staying employed, has been part of her long-term strategy,
I work 2 days part-time, and then 3 days are week on Black Drum Productions
Keeping a second job until the business takes off has been her key to success, and is probably relevant for many Indigenous business owners who may not have a lot of capital behind them, or maybe the first in their family to be in business. The other key to success for Nancy has been to stay focused. She states,
To be successful you must be ambitious, have passion and stay committed. Discipline and motivation are essential.
Black Drum Productions has been a part of the Brisbane Creative Industries landscape for over a decade, and provides an independent and innovative service within a small but growing niche. The other aspect to success for Nancy, has been the importance of networking.
I’m not part of Supply Nation, so being part of a local network is essential
Owning a business has helped to define Nancy and her commitment to Indigenous arts locally as well as regionally. Black Drum Productions is a reflection of over a decade of committed work amongst Queensland Indigenous communities, and is definitely a legacy she can be proud of.
Leesa Watego
Image credit: Supplied by Black Drum Productions
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