Your business is our business

AS A FORMER small business owner, I know just how daunting it can be to take that first leap into the private sector.

Launching a small business takes courage, not to mention a huge amount of planning and effort to get your enterprise off the ground.

Whether you’re launching a new venture or have been navigating the business world for years, the challenges are real and often unpredictable.

No matter how carefully you budget, market forces can shift overnight turning a great month into a tough one.

But I also know firsthand how rewarding owning and running a small business can be – when your hard work and vision finally pay off there’s nothing quite like it.

Without all our local aspiring entrepreneurs with big ideas daring to take the plunge into the world of business, Geelong would not have the thriving economy we now enjoy.

Greater Geelong is home to more than 22,000 small businesses, which make up 97 per cent of all businesses in our region.

These businesses form the backbone of our economy, employing tens of thousands of people from those working their first gig to older residents still finding fulfillment in the workforce.

The City of Greater Geelong recognises the importance of these small businesses, which is we support events like the annual Geelong Small Business Festival and last week’s Geelong Business Excellence Awards, which I had the privilege of attending.

It’s always fantastic to see the awards shine a light on local innovation and business brilliance.

We also host a range of practical workshops and events for those keen to kickstart their own business journey.

In partnership with Business Victoria, the City will host a free three-hour workshop on 14 November for anyone considering or in the early stages of starting a business in Geelong.

Delivered by Business Victoria, along with members of the City’s Environmental Health and Investment and Economy teams, the workshop will cover:

• How to set up and register a business name
• Choosing the right business structure and platform
• Protecting your business with insurance, and
• Developing a business outline and step-by-step action plan to move from idea to launch.

For more information and to register your attendance, head to geelong.link/StartYourBusiness.

We also understand that navigating the permits and registrations needed to start a business can be tricky.

Which is why our City’s Economy and Investment team hosts multiple drop-in sessions throughout the year, with the next coming up at Lara Library on Wednesday, November 26.

At these sessions you can chat to our friendly team to better understand council requirements such as permits, zoning, regulations and compliance guidelines.

You can even book a 30-minute one-on-one appointment for tailored support at geelong.link/BusinessSupportLara

And there are so many other events offering advice on everything from insurance, invoicing and employee wellbeing, to AI, public speaking and global exports.

I encourage you to visit geelongaustralia.com.au/business to find out what’s on in your area for the rest of this year and in 2026.

Cr Andrew Katos

Deakin Ward, City of Greater Geelong