All aboard for free adviceon the Small Business Bus

SMALL business owners and those who aspire to be one can access free advice from expert consultants when Business Victoria’s Small Business Bus makes a stop outside Lerderderg Library on Monday 17 March.

While bookings are essential, walk-ins can access the Bus Concierge service, which provides general information about Business Victoria as well as the Planning and Starting Your Business pack.

Expert Michael Paterson, who has worked with many different businesses over the years – ranging from manufacturers to disability support services, to construction to education – is a regular adviser on the bus.

He said participants can ask the specific questions they have about their business.

“(Everyone is) really different,” he said.

“Some people need help with marketing, some people aren’t realising where the profitability is in their business, and they don’t know how to work it out.

“Other people have staff issues, so it’s a real range of things.

“One-on-one is good because you can ask the questions that you need to – it makes the process so much easier.

“I’ve helped lots of other people through it and there’s an easy way to do it and a hard way.

“Many fall over in that first year often because of (simple) mistakes, it wasn’t because they weren’t profitable.

“Don’t be one of the statistics and be out of business before you know it.”

The Small Business Bus will operate from 9am to 2pm on the day, with confidential sessions able to be reserved via the Business Victoria website.