Small Businesses Flock To Expo Conceived As A ‘What If’ Facebook Post

What began as a simple Facebook post has grown into a huge event with four internationally acclaimed speakers and over 50 stalls. For southside small business owners Brendan Barker and Brad Roberts, it is an opportunity to make new contacts and connect face-to-face.

The Brisbane Small Business Expo’s, 16-17 October at Eagle Farm Racecourse, primary goal is to give small businesses an opportunity to showcase their wares and hear from the cream of Australian marketing and PR influencers.

For small businesses like Brendan’s Buyer’s Choice and clients of Brad’s Peak Partnership, the freedom of working from a home office was a big draw card However, it does have its downside.

“It is so easy to get stuck into the day-to-day; when you are working by yourself, you do not have the resources or support you did when working in a corporate situation. The challenge then is who do you ask for help? That is why this expo is so important to a small business like mine,” Brendan said.

“In Queensland, there are over half a million small businesses; and over half of us work from home by ourselves. Most of us do not have huge marketing budgets, and like me, rely on word of mouth and referrals.

“The expo is an opportunity to meet and talk with other members of the small business community who are also home owners (or aspiring home owners). To hear about their goals and aspirations, about their pain points and worries relating to home ownership.”

Brad said “We want visitors to see The Peak Partnership brand for what it really is – a practical and smart-thinking financial services firm without any ego. We also want to know what’s going on in the business lives of our visitors, by simply having authentic conversations with people who come to chat with us.”

Along with 50 others, Brendan and Brad will be hosting a stall at the expo to raise their profile and network with other businesses.

The Brisbane Small Business Expo is the brainchild of Kevin Gammie, a business coach and mentor from Growth Mentors. He said home-based and micro businesses are growing and there are not a lot of opportunities to come together in an environment where they are understood.

“There is so much focus on small business but there is a huge difference between the needs of one earning up to $5million and one run by a solopreneur earning $100,000,” he said. “Most expos are organised by big business who have very little understanding of the challenges of this group.

“The Brisbane Small Business Expo is aimed at the person sitting in their home office, isolated and doing their best to get ahead. We want to give them a platform to network with others in the same boat and to learn vital skills to help grow their business.”

Over 97% of business in Queensland is considered small, and 61% are run by one person or employ less than four people.

Brendan has only been in business for himself for 12 months since leaving the mining industry.  “I rely on word of mouth for business but it is slow getting the message out about my services and how I can assist people. So hearing from speakers who are experts in marketing is too good to miss,” Brendan said.

Brad’s firm has been in business for over 36 years…and the way business is done has changes significantly. However, on thing remains constant – people’s desire to build relationships. “The accounting and related financial services sector I work in is undergoing significant changes in the way we engage with our clients and deliver our service. This is largely driven by technology and the Brisbane Small Business Expo presents an opportunity for The Peak Partnership to connect with SME owners at a more personal level,” he said.

“Cloud-based technologies are tools to facilitate efficiency in an SME, but our priority at the Expo is to demonstrate how real-world business advice is fundamental to growth. We know SME owners have a wide range of needs and issues, and they crave simple explanations to improve.”

Kevin said the theme of the expo is Communicate, Connect and Collaborate. “And if you feel like you are constantly struggling, you get worn out and quit. I believe this is why so many small business shut up shop – isolation, next to no support, no budget to get help, and lack of understanding about marketing.

 “The expo also acknowledges the incredible contribution to the economy of small business. Our speakers – Nick Bowditch, Robert Coorey, Cat Matson and Bec Derrington are all giants in their field and for under $300, they are going to give so much information to our guests to help them boom.”

http://brisbanesmallbusiness.com.au/event/brisbane-small-business-expo-2015/

ENDS