Jacquie Tewes from Southern Region Business Enterprise Centre (SRBEC) officially launched small Business Month in Yass last Friday at the Yass Valley Business Chamber breakfast.
Jacquie emphasised the important role small businesses play in the wider economy and discussed some events coming up this month.
“The New South Wales Government are very keen to support small business because of the massive contribution they make to the economy, both as employers and the contribution to all the other workings of our economy.”
The Yass Valley Business Chamber, SRBEC and the Yass Valley Council worked together to come up with a variety of activities throughout March.
“Really, there’s something for everybody in March,” Jacquie said.
For example, last night Yass Connect hosted an International Women’s Day panel at the Clubhouse Hotel. The panel was made up of prominent local businesswomen including Ash Brewer, owner of the Vitner’s Daughter Stephanie Helm, Deputy Mayor and Co-owner of The Yass Valley Times Jasmin Jones, and owner of Country to Coast EA Carly Hartas.
Other prominent events include a small business expo in Crookwell on March 25 and 26.
Goulburn is also having three face-to-face workshops on marketing, recruitment and retention, and finance.
Additionally, there is an online webinar on March 16 from 3pm to 4pm run by Regional Development Australia Southern Inland (RDASI), targeted to- wards Yass and hosted by Phil Gibson.
Phil will also be talking about Grant Guru, an online tool where all grants come to you, the Yass Valley Council has helped sponsor the program to ensure all Yass relevant grants are featured in addition to others.
“The only way people are going to get value of these things is if they know about it, step one and step two, participate,” Jacquie said. “So go on and register.”
The SRBEC are also offering other activities and events covering topics from design and video editing for social media to writing successful grant applications.
“There’s a lot of grant workshops happening so if you’re after a grant, jump onto at least one of those and get that information.”
For more information on this month’s events head to the Yass Valley Council website.
By Brianna O’Rourke
