Businesses are encouraged to get on board with Small Business Day this Saturday, 31 October, as WA bounces back from one of its most challenging economic periods in history.

The volunteer-led initiative encourages businesses to tap into the resources provided on the Small Business Matters website to develop their own local campaign, via shop fronts and on social media.

Small Business Day, backed by the State Government, stemmed from Small Business Matters, which was co-founded by CCIWA president Nicolle Jenkins and Regional Chamber of Commerce WA CEO Kitty Prodonovich in 2015.

The movement celebrates entrepreneurship and small business owners and is owned by anyone rather owned by everyone.

Jenkins says the day is a way to help local businesses extend the reach of their brand.

“By providing free online tools, anyone, anywhere, can create an event, promote the key messages and/or get involved,” Jenkins says.

“We want WA small businesses to feel part of a united group.”

Local backbone

Brother and sister Mark Balshaw and Barbara Gibb, of Balshaw’s Florist, rely on the support of their local communities to keep their business alive.

The florist has been in their family for four generations, and they run their Mount Lawley and Bicton stores with the help of other family members.

Gibb, who has been in the industry for 47 years, has built lifelong connections with some of her customers.

“Some families we have known all our lives,” she says.

Balshaw explains that the business has catered to several generations of the same family on many occasions.

“We get people in the shop where we have done their mother’s wedding, their wedding and now their daughter’s wedding…so we must be doing something right.”

Christmas campaign

Small Business Day encourages West Australians to make a pledge to support their local businesses in the lead up to Christmas.

The #mysmallpledge campaign calls on people to prioritise small businesses when shopping for Christmas, Small Business Minister Paul Papalia explains.

“WA’s small businesses stepped up in a remarkable way earlier this year, with so many putting their businesses on hold to help protect their fellow Western Australians,” he says.

“The sacrifices our small businesses made over this period have helped to make Western Australia’s economic recovery the strongest in the country, and now the community and wider business sector is reaping the benefits of this contribution.

“I encourage all Western Australians to make a small pledge to support their local small businesses in the lead-up to Christmas and beyond.”

How to get involved

Help raise the profile of your small business for Small Business Day by:

• Downloading the marketing resources via the website – with customisable materials you can add your logo to.
• Running a live or virtual event in the lead up to or on Saturday October 31.
• Ordering stickers and a poster from [email protected] (while stocks last).
• Adding your logo/picture to the website – www.smallbusinessmatters.net.au
• Sharing info with your members, contacts, networks and friends.
• Following on twitter – @smallbizwa.
• Liking the Facebook page – Small Business Matters.
• Following smallbizwa us on Instagram.
• Using the hashtags #smallbizwa #mysmallpledge on all social media postings.
• Make your Christmas pledge public #mysmallpledge.