Guest post – Sharni Foulkes – Business Advisor KBCCI
Kalgoorlie-Boulder really is the best place to start and launch a new business and 2020 has never been a better time.
Your probably thinking to yourself, who in their right mind is this lunatic with a statement like that, and why now, in what seems to be an economic down turn.
Well, My name is Sharni Foulkes, I am the Business Advisor at the KBCCI. I work with a variety of businesses across different Industry’s on a daily basis. And let me tell you, now has never been a better time to step out of that comfort zone and give that idea you’ve been housing for some time a good old fashioned go.
With the average age of 33, an average household income of $115k and an almost 50/50 ratio of males to females the times are changing. Millennials are taking over and that is okay. For the small business industry, this means the barefoot investor budgets, strong side hustles and the ambition to succeed. And hard work prevails, but the statistics and support that have come across my desk throughout 2019 have been nothing short of amazing.
- 514 face-to-face client meetings
- 20 group sessions/workshops across 9 different topics
- 21 digital meetings
- 502 client action plans
- 494 returning clients
- 241 new clients
And with the appointment of a further two new business advisory contracts at the start of the financial year through (ASBAS) Australian Small Business Advisory Service for digital solutions and (NEIS) New Enterprise Incentive Scheme we have been able to expand on the services and topics that we can provide. ASBAS allows us to provide an outcome based service in the digital world, whether it be setting up a facebook/Instagram account or walking through the ATO’s reporting app, we are aiming to better connect our small business clients online and empower them with the confidence and understanding to utilise technology for better productivity. And NEIS has allowed us to work with an unemployed clientele, assisting them to achieve their certificate 3 in micro (home based) business, while still keeping their payments, and building their business over an intensive 12 months of mentorship. Not only is this a free service, I actually do care about you and want you to be sustainable and successful!
Along with the services that we provide, we also maintain close relationships with stake holders and where possible get them out to Kalgoorlie to engage with the businesses in a face-to-face setting through either a networking events or workshop. 2019 provided the following services and achievements for our clients to better their business opportunities:
- Small Business Showcase Event
- State Government Procurement policy presentation for Aboriginal Business (attendee)
- AUS Industries visit and meetings with 10+ clients (outcomes for over 80%)
- Facebook workshops presented by Facebook
- Small Business Development Corporation visit and meetings with stakeholders
- Female Founders Grant consultation (Only regional consultation for WA)
- Australian Tax Office educational workshops
- Australian Securities and Investment Workshops
- Cyber security workshop as a hosting partner through NAB
As well as attending many meetings, collaborations, events and information sessions to ensure we are equipped to the highest standard to assist and pass on knowledge for our clients.
I am one person and in Kalgoorlie-Boulder there are many other support services offering business advisory. So now knowing what you now know, wouldn’t you agree – there is no better time than 2020 to start, grow, expand or launch your business. If you are intrigued, give us a call and come in to see me, we can asses where your at and work out the right direction for you. It’s free, thanks to some amazing government funding.
When Sharni isn’t supporting the start-up business community of the Goldfields region, or facilitating numerous business workshops, she is dynamic participant of the local business community through her membership with Goldfields Women Building Business, Rotary and of course her membership of W.A.C.K.E.D. (that’s all about networking right??). In her downtime she can be spotted on Fashions on the Field catwalks around the state, outfit on point.
You can find Sharni on Facebook here, or located within the KBCCI office.
Like what you see? Click around and discover how partnering with us can give your business a competitive advantage by aligning strategy with people & culture, or, give us a like on Facebook for regular updates on industry trends, blog posts & photo’s of me having coffee at my regular haunts and / or my dog & cat disrupting my work day
It’s time for HR to move beyond policies, practices and processes, HR’s value proposition to business is to ensure HR professionals and their practices’ produce positive outcomes for key stakeholders, employees, line managers, customers and investors.
You must be logged in to post a comment.