Published on 16 September 2022
New mentoring sessions for business owners
Business owners that want to level-up their tourism and/or grants and tender writing game can now access subsidised business mentoring sessions through the Southern Business Mentoring Program (SBMP).
The two new disciplines add to six existing streams available through the program, which helps business owners connect and gain insights for success.
The program, which allows eligible businesses to meet with an advisor from each discipline (either in person or online), is available to Onkaparinga businesses and residents for $30 per one-hour session, with council subsidies helping more than 200 local businesses access the program each year.
All mentors are business owners themselves, providing help to a wide variety of ventures, from start-ups to long-established businesses.
The new tourism sessions are led by tourism advisor Alex Brown, who can help you navigate the tourism industry and business opportunities, while helping businesses recover and grow from COVID-19.
Alex is the director of Alex Brown Project Company—a tourism development consultancy, marketing advisory and content writing service.
Alex has worked with urban and regional destinations, leisure attractions, accommodation, hospitality businesses, retail precincts, start-ups, small and big business to assist with product development, precinct planning, investment attraction, acquisition of grant funding, tourism marketing strategy and becoming export ready.
The new grants and tendering sessions are led by Amanda Wood, who’s the director of private consulting firm AMW Business Growth.
The sessions provide discussion and tips on lodging applications for grants or preparing tender submissions. The sessions also cover where to look for possible opportunities, including City of Onkaparinga, which has a focus on using local suppliers.
Amanda brings real-life experience as a CEO, director, grants panellist, participant on many business-related boards, and leader of state and national business advisory teams. She understands first hand, the many challenges and opportunities in owning and successfully growing a business.
Head to the SBMP website to read more on the new disciplines—and the existing general business, workforce planning, strategic marketing, digital marketing, retail and social media disciplines—and book your spot.
The Southern Business Mentoring Program is an initiative developed and implemented by the Cities of Onkaparinga, Holdfast Bay, Marion and Yankalilla.
It was developed in response to an increasingly difficult economic environment, and it supports local businesses with business planning, diversification, streamlining employment and staffing , transitioning to digital retail platforms, navigating social media and strategic marketing solutions.