When coronavirus forced Vanessa Brettell to close her three-year labour of love, she decided it was time to bring her life-changing Colombian idea back to Canberra.
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Ms Brettell and Hannah Costello have opened Cafe Stepping Stone in Holt with a plan to hire refugee and migrant women new to Australia's workforce.
The west Belconnen setting is a world away from the vibrant South American tourist hub of Cartagena, where they started their mission to make a difference.
Ms Brettell moved to Cartagena three years ago with the goal if creating a social enterprise and an employment opportunity for vulnerable young people.
Coronavirus changed the long-term plan, accelerating their homecoming when Colombia closed its borders, 90 per cent of the clientele dried up and harsh restrictions were enforced.
"Back in January we decided we wanted to start transitioning back to Australia and we found this great opportunity with this cafe space at Strathnairn Arts," Ms Brettell said.
"The idea was ... we'd move back here and start this one and continue the one in Colombia and we'd train the staff up into management positions."
The owners aren't fazed by starting a new business, in an industry on its knees due to coronavirus.
"It can't be worse than what's already happened to us," Ms Brettell said.
"If it spikes up again in Canberra obviously we'll have to close and it will put things on hold, but I guess being a business owner you never really know what's going to happen."
Ms Brettell said the cafe would be staffed by refugee and migrant women new to Australia who face roadblocks to finding employment.
Knowing her experience and our experience being migrants in another country, we know how difficult it is sometimes.
- Cafe Stepping Stone owner Vanessa Brettell
"It could be caring responsibilities or transport or language skills," she said.
"We're going to try and be as flexible as possible and accommodate their needs."
Ms Brettell was inspired by her grandmother's story, who migrated to Australia from India in the 1970s, and found herself stuck between cultures.
"She hasn't fully fit in here and doesn't have that sense of belonging," Ms Brettell said.
"Knowing her experience and our experience being migrants in another country, we know how difficult it is sometimes.
"Having a workplace like the one we're trying to create will hopefully help that and allow them to kind of grow."
"I think hospitality is a great industry for that, they get to practice their English and interpersonal skills, they'll get to meet a lot of people from the community but also the community will get to meet them and understand their culture."
The cafe will work with the Canberra Institute of Technology to get staff qualified to pursue work in their field of interest.
"It's always hard to get your first job so we're giving at least some Australian work experience that should allow them to grow into whatever direction they want," she said.
"We're working with CIT to get them qualifications in hospitality but also English and down the track business administration and marketing, depending on their interests."
So far, just one staff member has been hired, but the team will continue to grow in the coming weeks.