Support for cyclone-affected businesses

Business experts from the Office of Small Business’ Mentoring for Growth program visited the Whitsunday region to provide support and guidance to small business owners affected by Cyclone Debbie.

Justin Butler of Eclipse Financial Services (left) and
Alison Rosemond of Real Financial Solutions attending a Mentoring for Recovery session in Airlie Beach.

Twelve business owners from Bowen, Proserpine and Airlie Beach met with mentors to discuss topics such as building resilience, insurance issues, building leases, business sustainability and growth, and ways to use digital media to attract new customers.

Additionally, officers called into more than 150 businesses right across the region to speak with owners to create awareness of the suite of services available to them.

Officers encouraged eligible businesses to apply for a Small Business Recovery Grant up to $10,000.

These grants enable businesses to access vital support to help develop new business plans, retrain, access mentoring and financial counselling, and explore options to build business sustainability. The grants are paid up front so businesses can quickly access the funds they need to help them recover and rebuild.

Counsellors were also available to provide confidential services to affected businesses and their families to help them through this difficult time.

Alison Rosemond owns Real Financial Solutions and works with businesses across the Whitsunday region. Ms Rosemond spoke with a mentor and received advice on marketing tactics for her bookkeeping and BAS business following the demise of her clientele after the cyclone.

“I also received a Small Business Recovery Grant and will use the funds to attend training on cloud-based financial systems. I noticed the cyclone destroyed the financial records of many small businesses so my growth strategy is to assist them to implement cloud-based solutions and keep their business information protected.

“It’s great the Queensland Government is offering free mentoring for recovery. It’s giving us new ways of looking for opportunities and makes us feel less alone,” said Ms Rosemond.

Officers also spoke with Jen Sturgess, who owns Airlie Beach Transfers and Tours. This husband and wife team immediately applied for a Small Business Recovery Grant when the grants were released. Their application was approved and they are using funds to diversify their tour operations to include a specialist Indigenous excursion, and employ an extra staff member from Arnhem Land to run it.

“Having access to this funding allowed us to think of different ways to bring in new business,” says Mrs Sturgess. “We are seeing strong interest from Chinese tourists for the Aboriginal tour, which shows them places of Indigenous interest and includes visiting some Australian wildlife.”

Small Business Recovery Grants are open for application until 18 September 2017. Check your eligibility and apply at www.business.qld.gov.au/recovery-grants.