Business in Brisbane (Edition 20) by Brisbane City Council

BUSINESSINBRISBANE EDITION 20: JANUARY TO MARCH 2019 PAGE 2

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Social media management Networking opportunities

Co-working spaces Raising capital

Local business partnerships Brisbane’s population boom

THIS MONTH’S CASE STUDY

ACTIVE TRUTH

READ MORE ON THE BACK

IT’S TIME FOR A CHECK-UP!

A MESSAGE FROM LORD MAYOR GRAHAM QUIRK

Just like you, your business requires regular health checks to identify potential issues before they impact overall performance. From checking your tax compliance (ato.gov.au) to refreshing marketing activities or broadening your network (choosebrisbane.com.au), a check-up now could mean the difference between finishing the financial year in the red or the black.

Welcome to the first edition of Business in Brisbane for 2019. If you’re planning to start, run or grow a business this year, you will find valuable information on resources and practical tips inside this edition.

Council is dedicated to making your business journey as easy as possible. Our website offers resources to help start, run or grow a business, including information on licensing, laws and permits. Visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/business

133 BNE

Business events are a great networking opportunity. Over the next 12 months, Council and Brisbane Marketing will present a range of free and low-cost events giving you the chance to connect with like-minded people and gain helpful insights from industry experts. We are also helping small business with partnerships in the suburbs. Our Local Business Partnership Initiative brings together businesses and Council to collaborate on opportunities to support and grow the local economy – read about the Wynnum Local Business Partnership Initiative on page 4. Our Small Business Liaison Managers, Terri Cooper and Natalie Scalisi, work closely with local businesses through free one-on-one consultations. Take the opportunity to discuss your business with them and learn about the Council resources available to meet your needs. These are just some of the ways Council is supporting local businesses in 2019. Visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/business for more information. Graham Quirk LORD MAYOR

@brisbanecityqld

BrisbaneCityCouncil

SAVVY SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT Social media is an important part of promoting your business, but staying on top of it can be a full-time job in itself, while managing other priorities. Hootsuite, Buffer or Sprout Social are just some of the free or low-cost software applications you can use to schedule and upload social media posts in advance, across all your social profiles. Scheduling has the added bonus of giving your business a consistent social media presence, which can translate to building trust and driving customer engagement. While automation has its time-saving benefits, it’s essential you don’t ‘set and forget’ – be sure to check in on your social media accounts, monitor conversations and respond to questions regularly. With free Wi-Fi also available in parks and public spaces across Brisbane, it has never been easier for customers to access social media anytime, anywhere and see your posts!

POWER-UP YOUR BUSINESS CONNECTIONS Regardless of your industry or type of business, networking is key to generating leads and building trust with potential customers and new business connections. Council and Brisbane Marketing run free and low-cost events to help you ‘get your business name out there’, connect with other business operators and learn from industry experts. These events include the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Forums, Lord Mayor’s Business Excellence Workshops, and Power-Up Small Business Workshops dedicated to digital marketing. Last year, almost 2000 business owners attended small business events. In addition to our regular business events, look out for our upcoming specialised industry events, including the Creative Industry Lord Mayor’s Small Business Forums and Lord Mayor’s Social Enterprise Forums.

Schedule social media posts to save time

FREE ADVICE FROM BUSINESS EXPERTS With more than 123,000 businesses calling Brisbane home, Council, through Brisbane Marketing, has enlisted the expertise of Small Business Liaison Managers Terri Cooper and Natalie Scalisi to help local business owners start, run and grow their businesses. Business specialists in their own right, Terri and Natalie are available to local business owners and operators via free 40-minute consultations to discuss business challenges, identify Council programs and resources available to assist them, and to brainstorm ideas around growth opportunities. A former small business owner herself and responsible for starting the Australian Small Business Group in 2008, Terri has already helped more than 200 local small businesses in 2017-18 alone. With an extensive background in business development, Natalie’s focus is on enhancing business support in Brisbane suburbs. Her passion for small business stems from working closely with government and industry in New South Wales to support economic growth programs. To contact Terri and Natalie email smallbiz@brisbanemarketing.com.au or call Brisbane Marketing on 3006 6200.

To stay up to date with business events, visit our website and subscribe to the Business in Brisbane events mailing list. Make connections at business events

BECOME A CO-WORKER We live in a city where digital, dynamic and remote workspaces are becoming increasingly popular. Offering low start-up costs, greater leasing flexibility and endless opportunities for collaboration and networking, it’s easy to see why. Brisbane has a variety of co-working spaces that service businesses at any stage, from start-up to scaling up. Most operate on a membership basis (casual or dedicated) and usually offer desk and office options, meeting rooms and kitchen facilities as standard. The Capital, Council’s innovation hub, is operated by anchor tenants Fishburners and Little Tokyo Two and delivers co-working spaces in the heart of the CBD with additional professional support offered throughout the start-up lifecycle. Fishburners specialises in start-ups and has expanded by 60 per cent to keep up with growing demand in its first two years of operation. Studio 42 Workspaces, The Cove, Arc Hardware, Hub, Christie Spaces, Prospect and WeWork are just some of the other co-working spaces offering local businesses unique, stimulating atmospheres and facilities.

Co-working spaces inspire collaboration

RAISING CAPITAL: GRANTS Whether you’re just starting out or are ready to take the next step in growing your business, grants are a highly useful stream of capital. All tiers of government offer financial support for eligible businesses, from innovation and digital grants to exporting and employment grants.

TAPPING INTO INNOVATIVE THINKING Council’s Brisbane Innovate event in November brought together some of Brisbane’s sharpest minds from private industry, academia, local start-ups and the community to generate solutions to a range of citywide challenges. The annual open invitation event featured keynote speaker Leanne Kemp, the founder and CEO of Everledger, an independent emerging technology enterprise focused on addressing real-world challenges through breakthrough solutions. Attendees also listened to a panel discussion on creative funding models, before getting together to brainstorm ideas on unlocking the value of waste, tackling social isolation and empowering local communities to create vibrant, proud neighbourhoods. Participants were given a month to refine their ideas and submit them to Council. Submissions closed in early December and Council is identifying which opportunities to explore further. If you missed out on Brisbane Innovate but have an idea that represents value for money and helps make Brisbane even better, submit it online now as a Better Brisbane Proposal – see brisbane.qld.gov.au

Since 2012, Council has provided more than $377,000 of grants to just under 100 start-ups and high-growth businesses. Initiatives such as the Lord Mayor’s Global Entrepreneur Program offer up to $5000 to assist businesses to scale, globalise and grow. A successful grant application is backed by solid preparation, so request a copy of the grant’s guidelines and criteria well in advance, to allow yourself time to research and plan your application. While there is no magic formula and grant criteria will differ across organisations, the Queensland Government’s grants web page business.qld.gov.au/startingbusiness offers basic tips to get you started.

NETWORK AT THE 2019 ASIA PACIFIC CITIES SUMMIT In July, Brisbane will play host to business, government and industry leaders from across the Asia Pacific at the 2019 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2019APCS) and Mayors’ Forum. The event is a unique platform for local entrepreneurs and businesses to expand their interests across the fast-growing Asia Pacific region on home ground.

For the first time, 2019APCS will feature Innovation Alley, a dedicated exhibition space for entrepreneurs, start-ups and new businesses to showcase how technology can enhance a city’s liveability, mobility and sustainability. To register for 2019APCS or express your interest in exhibiting at Innovation Alley, visit apcsummit.org

UNLOCKING OUR TOURISM POTENTIAL Small businesses could benefit from an additional $6.5 billion in new visitor spending by 2031, according to the recent Brisbane Tourism Investment Guide. Currently more than $7 billion of major tourism infrastructure is under construction across the city, and a further $9 billion is planned for completion by 2025. Research by Brisbane Marketing and the Department of Innovation and

Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games, shows attracting the right tourism projects could almost double Brisbane’s total overnight visitor numbers from 7.8 million in 2017 to 14 million by 2031, and support an additional 70,000 tourism jobs. That’s big business for our local economy and tourism operators. Download the Tourism Investment Guide, at investbrisbane.com.au

Wynnum town centre

SPOTLIGHT – WYNNUM TOWN CENTRE Wynnum’s accessible bayside location just 14 km from the CBD makes it a popular drawcard for visitors. Add its friendly village lifestyle, active business community, free Wi-Fi and recently upgraded business centre, as well as recreational attractions including an aqua park and winter beach volleyball series, and the area has endless economic potential. To leverage this potential, local businesses have worked with Council to develop a Local Business Destination Action Plan, which identifies opportunities to support

EXHIBITING: A WORTHY INVESTMENT Exhibiting your business at conventions and trade shows is a great avenue for raising your profile with potential customers, collecting customer feedback and networking with like-minded businesses all in the one location. Exhibitions coming soon to Brisbane include the World Travel Expo (16-17 February), The Home Show (8-10 March), the Essential Baby & Toddler Show (15-17 March), and the Keno Australasian Hospitality & Gaming Expo (27-28 March). Small businesses also benefit from Brisbane playing host, with $257 million injected into the local economy by more than 145,000 delegates attending exhibitions hosted locally in 2016-17. The Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant also incentivises professionals and researchers to act as advocates for our city by funding their attendance at leading international conferences (up to a maximum value of $5000), where they can make valuable connections and position Brisbane as a potential host city for future events. Applications close on Wednesday 30 January. Visit choosebrisbane.com.au/ trailblazer

and grow the local economy. Key actions include the potential activation of vacant shop spaces and laneways with pop-up events and murals to support emerging entrepreneurs and artists, partnering with Brisbane Marketing and Tourism and Events Queensland to promote Wynnum’s tourism potential, and niche opportunities such as the creation of a retro fashion guide to promote local op-shops. Search ‘Local Business Partnership Initiative’ on our website for more information. Showcase your business at a convention

BRISBANE ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT KEY FACT HIGHLIGHTS

$162 BILLION

BRISBANE’S POPULATION BOOMING When it comes to interstate migration, our vibrant city is a firm favourite, attracting the highest number of new residents from interstate and within Queensland. Net internal migration by capital city 15,000

GREATER BRISBANE ECONOMY

10,000

198,863 GREATER BRISBANE BUSINESSES

No. of persons

5000 0 -5000 -10,000 -15,000 -20,000

2,413,457 GREATER BRISBANE POPULATION

1,249,093 GREATER BRISBANE EMPLOYMENT

1,622,626 GREATER BRISBANE EMPLOYMENT FORECAST 2041

12,187

-25,000

Greater Brisbane

Greater Melbourne Greater Adelaide

Greater Perth

Greater Sydney

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional Population Growth, Cat 3218.0, 2017

The city rates as a highly attractive place to raise a family, with Greater Brisbane recording the highest proportion of children aged 0 to 14 years of the capital cities (19.6% in 2016) in the 2016 Census. More recently, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ demographic data showed our city received the largest number of children aged 0 to 14 years of all the capital cities due to net internal migration (3409 in 2017). Most new residents move to areas with easy access to the CBD and work, services, facilities, entertainment and public transport options. New Farm and Newstead – Bowen Hills are among the most popular inner-city locations, while Coorparoo, Morningside – Seven Hills, Kedron – Gordon Park and Nundah (all within 8 km of the CBD) are also popular. Not surprisingly, land and housing availability and affordability is also a major drawcard, with Forest Lake – Doolandella, Calamvale – Stretton and Taigum – Fitzgibbon among the top 10 areas for new residents to call home. Internal migration arrivals across Greater Brisbane

GREATER BRISBANE NET INTERNAL MIGRATION (2017)

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For the full Brisbane Economic Snapshot, please visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/business and search ‘Economic Snapshot’.

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SOURCES Brisbane City Council uses a range of sources (available at time of print) to compile this information, including Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Queensland Treasury.

Internal Migration Arrivals 2017 0 1 - 587 588 - 891 892 - 1138 1139 - 1415 1416 - 1701 1702 - 2887

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EVENTS 5 February – League of Extraordinary Women: Find Your Five Connect with like-minded women to help grow your business and career, 6-9pm, Christies Spaces, Brisbane CBD, various prices, eventbrite.com.au 13 February – LeadershipHQ Masterclass: Performance Leadership Get the tools and plans to start the year with a clear path and direction so you can achieve your goals, 5.30-7pm, River City Labs, Fortitude Valley, $15, leadershiphq.com.au 13 February – Lord Mayor’s Small Business Forum: Creative Industries Join the Lord Mayor, guest speakers and Council officers to network and share knowledge, 5.45-8.15pm, SunPAC, Sunnybank, free, brisbane.qld.gov.au 14 March – Supplier Communication Forum Find out about upcoming tenders and procurement policies, 3.30-6pm, free, Brisbane Square, brisbane.qld.gov.au

CASE STUDY

ACTIVE TRUTH Nadia Tucker (left) and Stevie Angel (right) are the founders of Active Truth, an online activewear retailer launched in 2016 that caters to all women, no matter their size, shape or stage of life. “We were new mums going to the gym together and were frustrated with buying activewear online – tights didn’t fit properly; they sagged, rolled down or were see-through,” says Stevie. Active Truth offers high-performance activewear and swimwear in sizes 6 to 26, including maternity styles. The online business recently received the CCIQ Award for Outstanding Small Business at the 2018 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.

20 March – Lord Mayor’s Small Business Forum

HOW DID YOU RAISE THE CAPITAL FOR YOUR VENTURE?

Learn from industry leaders and bring your questions for the Lord Mayor, guest speakers and Council officers, 5.45-8.15pm, Arana Leagues Club, Keperra, free, brisbane.qld.gov.au

Nadia: We dipped into our savings and contributed $10,000 each. We then reinvested the profits from sales into growing our inventory.

27 March – Lord Mayor’s Business Excellence Workshop Learn from and network with business leaders, 5.45-8.15pm, Aspley Hornets Football Club, Carseldine, free, brisbane.qld.gov.au

Brisbane City Council GPO Box 1434, Brisbane Qld 4001

WHAT VALUE DO YOU PLACE IN BUSINESS PLANS? Stevie: Our business evolved and grew really quickly. You need to be clear on what your vision is and your ‘why’ from the start – what problem are you solving. Our business decisions stem from this and knowing our customers well.

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Council is continually working to support innovation and economic growth. Your feedback is highly valued. Every effort is made to ensure information is correct at time of printing.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN RUNNING THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS? Nadia: Inventory management, including making sure we’re not over-ordering but also having enough stock to meet demand. FROM WHOM DO YOU SEEK BUSINESS ADVICE? Nadia: We try to network with other local business owners, and we have a group we speak with regularly. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? Stevie: We’re working on introducing new products to expand our manufacturing. Our ultimate vision is for Active Truth to be a household name. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY? Nadia: We would have trusted our instincts more, as there were a couple of instances when we listened to our head and we should have gone with our gut. Nothing is going to be smooth sailing and you must roll with it at times. You should try not to look at it as a challenge but more as an opportunity. Visit activetruth.com.au

133 BNE (133 263) Council Business Hotline 3403 8888 Council Contact Centre economic_development@brisbane.qld.gov.au brisbane.qld.gov.au