Geelong is a great place to do business

OUR biggest ever Geelong Small Business Festival is wrapping up, featuring 68 events throughout the month of August.

Now in its 12th year, the festival aims to help support, grow, and inspire small businesses in our region with sessions run by experts in their field.

Council funds the festival as part of its aims to support the business community and grow our local economy.

This year’s festival featured a combination of in-person and online events, and we were thrilled that nine events sold out.

The festival covered brilliant basics such as business insurance, business marketing and branding, CANVA for business, social media marketing, mental health fitness, legal tips and a migrant and refugee business start-up program.

It also featured headline events such as the Westpac Economic Breakfast with Chief Economist Bill Evans, and The Revival of Geelong networking event.

One of the highlights of the festival was the sell-out opening event for 250 people with business, advertising and marketing guru, Todd Sampson.

In his inspiring keynote address at The Pier, Todd explained neuroplasticity and how it’s possible to expand your thinking.

Todd did extensive brain training in 2013 as part of making the TV series Redesign My Brain, and in the process discovered yes, it’s possible to develop and improve your brain.

Guests listened and watched in awe at the obstacles Todd has endured and overcome to prove our brains can be trained to meet the challenges and stresses of modern life.

Todd believes that anyone can become smarter, improve their memory, and reverse mental ageing.

He shared his tips on how brain training and visualisations can help us overcome our fears, pay better attention, regulate our emotions, and practice active listening.

Guest speakers, like Todd, can really inspire business owners and operators to try something different and take their business to the next level.

His keynote address was followed by a fascinating panel session of four creative and inspiring local business people: Celeste Robertson from the Natural Supply Co, Rainer Spoljaric from Funk by Botanical Brew, Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors, and Lach Ryan from Ruck Agency.

Our small business owners have made enormous sacrifices to keep Geelong going throughout the pandemic, and they’ve been tested like never before with COVID-19 restrictions, inflation, supply chain issues and staff shortages.

It’s been a challenging and isolating time for many businesses, so the festival was an amazing opportunity for business owners, or those looking to start a business, to connect again in-person and collaborate and support each other.

Outside of the festival, City staff support our small business community through our Small Business Concierge Service.

The concierge service is a vital first step to consider for anyone starting a small business.

Before you make any substantial investment or sign any lease agreements, it’s a good idea to seek advice on any permits you might need from Council and get some tips for setting up and operating your business.

City staff can also provide data on population growth, local demographics, labour market conditions, major investment projects, spending by residents and visitors, population forecasts and construction activity, – all useful info for starting a business in the region. Training and business mentoring is also available.

Our more than 19,000 small businesses are a huge driver of Greater Geelong’s economy, and their success is critical to our vision for a Clever and Creative future.

That’s why we’re buoyed by the fact that there has been a 51 per cent increase in annual new business registrations in the past five years, from 1,480 in 2017 to 2,240 in 2022.

Our unemployment rate is the lowest we’ve seen in the last 20 years and our economy is growing because people recognise that Geelong is a great place to work, to do business and to invest.

A successful urban city with a country heart, Greater Geelong is going through a real renaissance.

While the pandemic has impacted Central Geelong, there are greater economic opportunities on the horizon including a host of upcoming major events such as the T20 Cricket, White Night and our Christmas Festival.

Our location, strategic infrastructure, population growth and skilled workforce make Geelong a great investment choice for businesses of all sizes.

Cr Peter Murrihy

Mayor of City of Greater Geelong Brownbill Ward