With small businesses making up the vast majority of more than 40,000 businesses on the Sunshine Coast, the collective business groups within the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance are providing a wealth of resources and events to support Small Business Month this May.
Bounce Back Better is the state-wide theme for Small Business Month 2021 and businesspeople across the Coast are invited to join fellow small business professionals in sharing stories of success, strategies for growth and to reflect on learnings from the past 12 months of business resilience.
From Caloundra to Noosa and out to the hinterland, the Sunshine Coast has 17 active chambers and networks readily available to support, inspire, educate and connect businesspeople for the combined purpose; to see our region and all those within it thrive.
Representing the collective groups, Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance Chair Wallis Westbrook is thrilled to see the incredible offering being provided to small businesses this month through a collaborative approach across all the chambers and networks.
“Bringing all our chambers and networks together in preparation for Small Business Month, I was proud to see what incredible offerings we have ready to deliver to small business owners and businesspeople this Small Business Month,” he says.
“From finance to marketing to networking and more, I’m sure there’s something to entice every small businessperson on the Coast to get involved.”
“We’d love to see more businesspeople get involved in their local chambers and networks, because together we’re stronger and we see great opportunities, synergies and collaborations arise when people come together in business.”
Sunshine Coast Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg says the Sunshine Coast, through its network of chambers, networks and industry groups, has an abundance of business knowledge and support on offer to further strengthen the small business community.
“Council recognises how important small businesses are to our local economy. We responded quickly and decisively to support our business owners throughout COVID-19 with three successive stimulus packages in March, April and again in June last year,” Mr Landsberg says.
“Council continues to support small businesses through council run programs and initiatives and supports our local chambers through Council’s Community Partnership Program and Council’s Grants Program.
“If you’re a small business and have not yet joined your local chamber, I encourage you to pop down to the next meeting or event and discover the benefits of networking and collaborating with likeminded businesspeople.”
The program is supported locally by Sunshine Coast Council and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).
A comprehensive calendar of events is available on the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance website, as well as access to resources being provided by Sunshine Coast Council and Qld Government DESBT.
Visit: BusinessSunshineCoast.com
Benefits of joining a chamber or industry group
Touting the many benefits of joining a chamber or industry group, from networking to connections with potential customers, to workshops, support and advice, Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance Chair Wallis Westbrook is encouraging every small business to reach out and join a chamber or industry group.
Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, there are many benefits to be found in joining a chamber, network or industry group:
- Network with fellow local business owners and employees
- Connect with business, government, and community decision-makers
- Be informed on opportunities for business, grants, promotions, and more
- Learn from events, workshops, and resources
- Get involved in collaborative opportunities with fellow businesses
- Have representation on advocacy issues and lobbying for business needs with various levels of government and corporate groups.
- Create more opportunities to promote your business
- Develop stronger relationships within the business community
- Build confidence and support networks to help with your challenges and celebrate your wins
Business chambers open doors
Family-owned business Concept Labs is thriving thanks to the opportunities it receives as part of its involvement with industry networks. General manger Naomi Elliott’s parents started the business in 1998 and she joined the company full time nine years ago.
“We are part of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce and the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network and they’ve got great inspirations, friendships, insights and regular events they hold where we can listen to fellow business owners in our region and their stories about success and what’s been difficult,” Ms Elliott says.
“One of the biggest impacts to our business as a result of being part of the business network was being nominated for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards in 2019 and taking home the prize for Manufacturing (Large) and Export. That really boosted our business profile and has opened up more doors for us to be able to expand and take on new clients and deliver more back to our region.”
Visit: conceptlabs.com.au
Business chambers get you connected
In 2020, HR Dynamics’ director Rebecca Wright saw the opportunity to expand her already-established Cairns business and relocate to the Sunshine Coast.
After 13 years in Cairns, starting fresh left Ms Wright looking for connections and direction to launch into the local business community.
“We didn’t have the business connections and the support from the business community so one of our first points of call was to go to the chambers and that has been fantastic in a whole range of ways,” she says.
“They’ve provided us with information about the business landscapes and we’ve been part of the Chamber Alliance mentoring program. There have been some absolute superstars in the chambers who have made introductions for us and we’ve been made to feel really welcome and attended events and morning teas. It’s really given us the confidence that this is the right thing to do and has welcomed us into the business community.”
Visit: hrdynamics.com.au
FAN offers resources to businesses
Fenn Foods was founded in 2015 by Argentina’s Alejandro Cancino and Paola Moro and has grown from strength to strength thanks to support from industry networks.
The local company produces a range of plant-based meat products, including the popular retail brand vEEF, which is stocked in Woolworths nationwide, and is a member of FAN (Food and Agricultural Network).
“There is so much that you have to learn very quickly in terms of how to get your products on the shelf, what sort of certifications and qualifications you need, what the processes are and how to access funding,” Ms Moro says.
“How to run a business is not something you are taught at school, so it’s really key to have shared resources you can access from groups like FAN. On top of that you get access to network of people who are potential customers and networking in the sense of building relationships with the local community.”
Visit: fennfoods.com
Chambers help businesses launch and thrive
After opening The Good Place during the middle of last year’s lockdowns, founder James McGovern turned to several chambers to help his business launch, survive and thrive.
Now he is an executive of the Kawana Chamber and a member of the Maroochydore, 4556, Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Sunshine Coast Young chambers, Sunshine Coast Young Professionals and FAN (Food and Agricultural Network).
“Hospitality is all about human connection, so I really enjoy the face-to-face, offline initiative that a chamber gives you,” he says.
“We only moved up last year just before the COVID shut down and we didn’t know anyone, so it really was the best way to meet as many people on the Coast and connect with many likeminded people.
“Through that we found most of our producers and artisans and suppliers and we connected with our events company and our branding and marketing crew. We are involved as much as possible and try to give back as much as possible, hosting events and giving vouchers in raffles as well as our time.”
Visit: thegoodplace.co
