By Luke Voogt
Geelong small businesses have urged the Federal Government to support a local mentorship program with Commonwealth funding set to run out.
Highton optician Mandy Lovett said the program took the fear out of starting and running a small business.
“I think it’s a wonderful tool,” the 62-year-old said.
“Before I went into business I didn’t know there was so much support available.”
Geelong Chamber of Commerce runs the Small Business Smart Business program, which provides mentors, seminars and workshops for local businesses.
“I’ve done Instagram and Facebook training, websites, business planning and more,” Ms Lovett said.
One social media course cost her just $50 and various experts – such as bankers – have coached her through the program.
“If you have to go to a specialist to buy that service or knowledge it costs a fortune,” she said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for local business people to take advantage of it and use it because that’s what it’s there for.”
Ms Lovett joined the chamber after starting her business a decade ago.
“It’s pretty scary when you’re trying to build a business and you’re relying on your own income,” she said.
“You’ve still got to pay your mortgage and bills.”
Being divorced was another challenge to starting a business, Ms Lovett said.
“When people have a husband or partner they’ve got that support but I’ve had to make all the decisions myself.”
The Chamber of Commerce will apply to Small Business Minister Michael McCormack to renew the government’s partial funding of the program until 2021.
“The figures will speak for themselves if (he) has a look at them as the program is running courses all around Geelong and they’re well-attended,” Ms Lovett said.
The Small Business Smart Business program has delivered 140 workshops for 1500 people since it began in 2015.
In 2017 the program’s coordinators organised about 70 workshops, with 600 participants, and 520 one-on-one mentoring sessions between industry experts and small business owners.
Chamber chief executive officer Bernadette Uzelac said the program’s subsidised support from subject matter experts was invaluable to small businesses.
She praised the program’s coordinator Liz Grant.
“These sessions are having a real and lasting impact on small businesses across the region,” she said.
