Sharing positive stories of rural businesses and communities.
An important aspect of being a leader, whether in your community, organisation or business, is to empower others; not necessarily to follow in your footsteps but to forge brave new pathways. How can we attract potential new leaders and help them to develop the confidence and skills required in a rapidly changing world?
Read MoreWith the power of authentic stories, author-speaker-facilitator Kerry Anderson, shares a valuable insight into the entrepreneurs that walk quietly amongst us, forging new opportunities and taking control of their own destiny in rural communities across Australia. Learn from the people that do it, not just dream and talk about it.
Read MoreBecoming a business owner doesn’t happen overnight, and often it can result from a collision between a hobby, accumulated skills, and destiny. How refreshing it was to recently learn more about Sarah Mostyn’s carefully staged journey with Windella Farm, a boutique dairy goat product business based in northern Victoria.
Read MoreWhy start a small business in a rural town? In 2012, Claire Morgan created Rupanyup Living in response to a long period of drought followed by a severe flood. The community needed a positive boost and Claire was up for the challenge. But, as she has discovered during the COVID-19 lockdown, the reason you start a business is not always the reason you continue.
Read MoreFor a tiny rural town, Minyip has a lot of interesting stories to tell. 22 years ago, the very first Community Branch of the Bendigo Bank opened in Rupanyup Minyip. The original Eureka Flag was discovered at a local property. The Flying Doctors, The Dressmaker, and The Dry have all been filmed in and around Minyip. And rumour has it that the ABC’s Heather Ewart is the next celebrity coming to town!
Read MoreCafes are a draw card in every rural town. They are a social hub for the locals and a great reason for travellers to stop. Not many cafes can claim to be named after a much loved television character though.
Read MoreEveryone deserves a second chance. Rural towns diversify and reinvent themselves. Vacant buildings are filled with new purpose. Unwanted household items find new owners. And people are given a second chance to work and provide valuable community service. I really do like second chances.
Read MoreIn a modern world and particularly during the current COVID restrictions, there is much more interest in where our food comes from, how it was produced, and appreciation of it being grown in our own regions. Could this be the ideal time to promote the opportunities in our rural towns and industries to all Australians?
Read MoreTwo central Victorian businesswomen - Suzanne Carroll from Cool Clutch and Elise Brown from Fair Dinkum Dogs - who sell their products primarily online, came together for a cuppa and a chat to share their experiences and some great tips.
Read MoreAs consumers we have recently witnessed scenes of empty supermarket shelves never seen before in our lifetime. A spotlight has been shone on local manufacturers and suppliers in every rural and regional community creating a new level of loyalty and appreciation.
Read MoreAs our city counterparts start to escape the ‘Big Smoke’ to explore rural towns are you aware that they may be scoping an opportunity to relocate by purchasing an existing business or setting up a new one? Kerry and Michael Kerr from Kerr Capital discuss the opportunities for our rural towns and businesses.
Read MoreCustomers understand the benefits of shopping local. They want to support their local businesses but protecting the health of their family and household budgets will take priority. Going back to doing ‘business as normal’ is NOT an option, it is a risk!
Read MoreChatting with small businesses across Australia I am keen to learn how they have fared during the COVID-19 period to date (noting that this is far from over). Some have pivoted, a few have packed their bags (and that is perfectly OK), and the lucky ones are punching goals. More updates will be added to the top of this post in the coming weeks.
Read MoreWalking away from a business is one of the toughest things to do. But when the results don’t reflect the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into it, or the pressures are impacting on your health and wellbeing; then it is time to rethink your future. This is a GOOD business decision to make, not a failure.
Read MoreCould a life changing event when eight-year-old Janine McLean’s farming father passed away have subconsciously set her on a path decades later to specialise in succession planning? Whatever her reasons, Janine loves living and working in regional Victoria and is a strong advocate for family run businesses to better plan for their future.
Read MoreCOVID-19 has affected businesses in multiple ways with uncertainty being a common denominator. What has been most heartening is seeing new ways of thinking and doing business emerging. Quite literally, it has taken a pandemic to shake us out of our complacency and clearly, it is the most adaptable who thrive. Why would we want to return to ‘normal’?
Read MoreCOVID-19 has presented a unique opportunity for local government to effectively engage with their business community. This is one of those rare times, prompted by a global disaster, to throw out the position descriptions, roll up the sleeves and work side by side as we prepare for a government stimulated bubble to burst in September.
Read MoreAnother great chat with Zoe from Smart Connected Cities about the positive and negative impacts of COVID on rural businesses and communities.
Read MoreEvery individual of a rural town has the power to make positive change. It may not be easy to visualise or measure, but it is important to recognise that the positive attitudes and actions of many different individuals, no matter how small, can collectively make a big difference.
Read MoreKerry Anderson shares how we can we be proactive rather than reactive during this difficult time as the COVID-19 impacts on Australia. It's time to bring the team together and have some important conversations. Kerry has come up with a few suggestions to get you started and reminds us that tough times also present a wonderful opportunity to innovate and improve our businesses.
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