Ingrid Cumming
Chief Executive Officer
Kart Koort Wiern
Ingrid Cumming is a Whadjuk Noongar woman from Fremantle, Western Australia. A graduate of Murdoch University and Melbourne Business School, she has during her career, presented and published an article with the United Nations Women Leaders Collective in Israel, represented Indigenous Australian Business at the Supply Diversity forum in San Antonio Texas, presented at TedXPerth 2014, has been a keynote at various conferences and leadership forums about Indigenous knowledge, leadership and reconciliation and won Indigenous Business of the Year at the Belmont Small Business Awards in 2014. She has recently become a board member of the National Indigenous Women in Business Group this year.
Mrs Cumming is the founder and CEO of Kart Koort Wiern (Head Heart and Spirit), founded in 2010. It is a Perth based Indigenous business that offers consultancy, training and workshops across Australia promoting reconciliation and increasing awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strengths and strategy. Her commitment and passion for her community, leadership, youth and reconciliation is the driver behind the work Kart Koort Wiern have done and continue to achieve with the long list of clients from both the Corporate, Public and Not for Profit Sector.
How was the MURRA Program?
MURRA was life changing and really helped me feel more confident and supported as a budding entrepreneur. The support from the Alumni, facilitators and Business school has been ongoing since my graduation. The skills and knowledge received from this experience has helped not only Kart Koort Wiern grow, but myself as a person and facilitator of social change.
What does being an Indigenous Entrepreneur mean to you?
It means I have an experience, a niche, an edge that other competitors may not have. My Indigenous heritage is strength not a weakness. My culture, background and experience as an Indigenous woman has been great inspiration for the way I successfully do business.
What does business success look like to you?
When you inspire others to do great things by your influence and knowledge. That is the running and the product and service. No point having great ideas without a solid base to build it on.
What advice would you give any entrepreneurs going into business?
Don’t let your age be a deterrent. I started Kart Koort Wiern when I was 27. All the odds were against me as I was told being a young, Indigenous woman in Indigenous consultancy. To name a few accomplishments, I now have published papers with the United Nations, represented my business in such places as Indonesia, Israel, Texas and across Australia, presented a TedX and won Indigenous Business of the Year in the first five years. If I had listened to people and focussed on the odds rather than opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Dream it! Live it! Do it!
Do your research. Ideas are what drive you to do what you love, make sure you have the foundations to build it on.
What does leadership mean to you?
Inspiring others and create pathways for people to walk alongside you.
What are some of the achievements of your business since the MURRA program?
- Finalist NAIDOC Perth Indigenous Business of the Year 2015
- Winner Indigenous Business of the Year 2014 Belmont Small Business Awards 2014
- TedXPerth 2014
- Finalist Indigenous Business of the Year 2014 Belmont Small Business Awards
- Published paper and delegate representing Australia UN Women Leaders forum Haifa Israel 2013
- Australian Indigenous Business Supply National delegation San Antonio 2013
For more on Kart Koort Wiern go to www.kartkoortwiern.com or find Kart Koort Wiern on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.