A free business mentoring program is celebrating a milestone with the 1,000th session of the Palaszczuk Government’s Mentoring for Growth program since the launch of the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy in 2016.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman congratulated Mark Smith, co-owner of Smith & Gray, a Brisbane-based furniture maker, who attended the 1000th session.
“The Mentoring for Growth program links small business with leading mentors and offers small businesses a 90-minute mentoring panel session so they can get the professional advice they need to succeed, grow and be able to employ more Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.
“The panel provided Mr Smith with constructive feedback, suggestions and ideas to further market and promote the award-winning business, as well as expand and grow their customer base.”
Smith & Gray employs traditional craftsmanship to produce furniture to suit the needs of their clients, which includes builders, architects, interior designers and private customers.
“We specialise in uniquehand-made furniture and joinery which is a very niche market and we now have a great deal to think about going into the future,” Mr Smith said.
The program also includes vital Mentoring for Recovery which has been a focus in Townsville from the newly opened Small Business Recovery Centre.
“Since opening, the centre has provided mentoring sessions to more than 470 businesses ranging from hotels and motels to sportfishing charter services, construction companies and cafes,” Ms Fentiman said.
Townsville business owner, Louise Marry of Charlotte Street Osteopathic Clinic recently lost her businesses in Hermit Park and in South Townsville in the recent floods in North Queensland.
“The support and advice I received at the mentoring session has been invaluable,” Ms Marry said.
“The mentors gave me advice for the present such as keeping people informed and long-term assistance with strategies to improve my business.”
“Having one location offering information took the confusion and difficulty out of finding the support needed at this time.
Patriot Campers, a Gold Coast-based business that has accessed the Mentoring for Growth program and is set to become a leader for innovation and design in the off-road camping and 4WD industry.
“Mentorship is just one of the ways that the Palaszczuk Government can support small businesses to grow into medium and large companies like Patriot Campers,” Ms Fentiman said.
“From an idea over beers around the campfire to winning the Camper Trailer of the Year for the 4th consecutive year in a row and launching into the US market, Patriot Campers is a shining example of a small business growing into a successful Australian brand.”
The Minister said the Mentoring for Growth Program wouldn’t exist without the support of more than 500 volunteer business experts.
“This program could not achieve the fantastic outcomes if it wasn’t for our incredible business mentors,” Ms Fentiman said.
They provide insights, strategies and suggestions relating to small business challenges and improve opportunities.”
“More than 97% of all businesses in Queensland are small businesses so it is vital we continue to connect professional mentors with local business owners to access support and advice they need to drive job growth and the economy,” Ms Fentiman said.
“I encourage all businesses looking for ways they can further their success to access our free program.”
With growth and potential comes additional free mentoring opportunities such as Mentor Chats, Mentoring for Export, Mentoring for Investment, Mentoring for Pitch, Mentoring for Export and Mentoring for Recovery.
The Mentoring for Growth program has the flexibility to be delivered through panel and chat formats and can be done via face-to-face and online meetings. The program is delivered in most regional areas in Queensland and at Small Business events.
Eligibility criteria, ideas and information on the M4G Program and small business grants and events funded by the Queensland Government is available from www.business.qld.gov.au
Smith & Gray www.smithandgray.com.au
Patriot Campers https://www.patriotcampers.com.au/
