100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Homing in on success: the platform better connecting local businesses and residents

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It was at a networking event that experienced businesswoman Claire Parkinson realised there was a lack of understanding on the importance of buying local.

From there, a social media experiment sparked the inspiration to begin a platform today known as Buy Local Sunshine Coast.

Living on the Sunshine Coast her entire life and growing up with parents who ran a small business, Ms Parkinson has always known to support local.

Moving into an accounting role after school and having her own financial management business, Ms Parkinson has spent 25 years working with local businesses, enjoying success and navigating challenges along the way.

“Working in a range of businesses … I’ve become really familiar with a lot of different concepts of running a business,” she said.

“In January 2020, I was at a business event and I had a bit of a moment realising sometimes people don’t know what it actually means to support local business.”

The Sunshine Coast local began the social media movement #buylocalnoosa and #buylocalsunshinecoast for local businesses to share their stories.

“I started reaching out to friends to tag me with the hashtag and I’d share their business story,” she said.

“It was just an experiment to get people to think about each and every business they make purchases from and to choose a local business first.

“Then COVID hit and we had a new demand to support our corner shop and local barista.

“The social media hashtags grew and I was getting constant reach-out from business owners for support.

“That was the beginning of the story where I thought, wow, there is a real need for this.”

Buy Local Sunshine Coast was launched in September, thanks to the support of Sunshine Coast Council.

“People can now go online to the platform and list their business,” Ms Parkinson said.

“Buy Local Sunshine Coast is a connected and community way for people to find a local product really easily and for businesses to be able to afford to be on a digital platform, as some of them don’t have a website.”

Business owners can register to be listed on the website, giving them an opportunity to tell their stories to the wider Sunshine Coast community.

Buy Local Sunshine Coast now has more than 200 online listings in a wide range of categories.

Visit Buy Local Sunshine Coast and use #buylocalsunshinecoast on your socials.

Sustainable thinking

Did you know that when you buy local it can have a positive affect on the environment as well as the economy?

Someone who knows the importance of sustainability and local business is Pleasant State’s Ami Bateman.

She is behind the Sunshine Coast cleaning brand helping Australians reduce their use of toxins and single-use plastics with an Australian-first concentrated cleaning bar.

Ami Bateman is behind the Sunshine Coast cleaning brand helping Australians reduce their use of toxins.

“When dissolved in water, our bars make a multi-purpose, bathroom and glass spray cleaner. Think Berocca but for cleaning,” she says.

“To date over 11,000 customers have made the switch to our better-for-you cleaning products and we’ve collectively saved 35,000 plastic bottles from ever being made and donated over $7000 to Take 3 for the Sea.”

Pleasant State defines sustainability in terms of positive environmental, social and economic outcomes.

“When you buy local, you’re positively contributing to all three of these factors,” she said.

“From an environmental perspective purchasing local products helps to reduce transport emissions, noise and air pollution.”

Q&A with local business owner David Suters

Established in 2003, Timbercraftsman is the creation of David Suters, who loves the natural beauty of Australian timbers.

Passionate about creating designs that emulate the colours of nature, Mr Suters combines delicate creativity, master craftsmanship, and dedication to client satisfaction, creating truly distinctive, durable, contemporary pieces nurtured from earthly beginnings into everlasting collectables.

Timbercraftsman relocated to Eumundi in 2014, expanding custom design and manufacturing into retail and tourism with Timbercraftsman Showroom Gallery.

Reconnecting the region to its timber history, the gallery fulfils one of Mr Suter’s lifelong goals, while satisfying demand for locally handcrafted, designer timber furniture and art made right here on the Sunshine Coast.

What does it mean to you to be a local business?

As a small business it’s about being part of a community where we not only contribute to the growth of the local economy, but also make a personal connection with people and place.

In a region known for its arts and creative industries, we are proud to be a local business that supports local suppliers, trades, services and small business throughout our community while filling a gap in the market for locally handcrafted distinctive designer furniture crafted from ethically and sustainably sourced materials of enduring quality.

How important is it for the community to support local business?

Moving forward beyond the challenges of the past 18 months, Sunshine Coast businesses will be more reliant on the community support than ever to continue trading so that money remains circulating in the local economy.

As one of the many micro businesses in the region we hope that in the lead-up to the festive season the community will buy from a local business first, thus helping our local economy to bounce back quickly to directly support families, and young people through increased jobs creation, employment opportunities and development into the future.

Local winner will be back for a milestone

Sarah Young and her daughter at Coolum.

Congratulations to Sarah Young who is a previous weekly winner of the Buy Local competition.

Ms Young, who is from Ipswich, regularly holidays in the region and stays at Coolum Caprice.

She loves the laid-back vibe, great shopping and amazing cafes of the seaside town.

She was on holidays with her daughter and while waiting for their room to be ready they wandered down the main street where they saw a Buy Local Sunshine Coast poster.

With her winning money, Ms Young is planning to return to Coolum in May next year to celebrate her 50th birthday.

Buy local, win local

We’re calling on the Sunshine Coast community to support local businesses by buying from a store with a door or online from a local business.

When you buy local, you are directly supporting local families, jobs and helping our local economy to bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19.

The Council is giving four lucky winners $2000 to spend on their chosen products and services in the Sunshine Coast region.

To enter spend $10 in the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, and enter your details and receipt on the Buy Local Sunshine Coast website to go into the draw to win $2000 to spend with local businesses.

The first winner will be announced on Monday, November 29.

 

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