Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello today welcomed a new campaign aimed at helping Aboriginal small business owners across NSW to access support to manage and grow their enterprises.
Mr Dominello was joined by Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business John Barilaro and Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea to promote Small Biz Connect at Ivy and Rose Flowers, a successful Aboriginal-owned small business in Frenchs Forest established in 2012.
“Aboriginal Affairs NSW has teamed up with the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner to promote Small Biz Connect to Aboriginal small businesses.
“This targeted marketing campaign encourages Aboriginal small business owners to access the program, linking them with a local small business expert who can offer personalised, face-to-face advice to help turn great ideas into success.
“A key aim of OCHRE, the NSW Government’s Plan for Aboriginal Affairs, is to create opportunities for economic empowerment and this advisory service will help burgeoning Aboriginal enterprises to boost their bottom line.”
Mr Barilaro said Small Biz Connect initial advisory sessions were free to small business owners and ongoing support was affordable and tailored to individual needs.
“The program has an extensive network of advisers, plus the Small Biz Bus which travels around NSW, making support easy to access wherever business owners are located.
“This postcard campaign is really about spreading the word across regional NSW about a great service which has already been a catalyst for a number of small business success stories,” Mr Barilaro said.
Mr O’Dea said he welcomed the NSW Government’s small business advisory services which were helping Aboriginal enterprises to follow in the footsteps of Ivy and Rose Flowers.
“Ivy and Rose Flowers, which featured in the marketing campaign, has built a strong reputation in the community. I understand they may even be the florist of choice for the Prime Minister and his family.”
To book an appointment with your local Small Biz Connect adviser or find out when the Small Biz Bus is next in your area please call 1300 134 359 or visit www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au.
