Get to know Dominique Lamb

Small businesses are built on entrepreneurship, hard work and having a go, and account for 98 per cent of Australian businesses.

On the road to her appointment as Queensland’s Small Business Commissioner, it’s clear Dominique Lamb developed an appreciation for this spirit of perseverance - and isn’t one to back away from a challenge.

Back in the day, Dominique’s very first job saw her dressed as a clown, handing out flyers for a homeware retailer. After setting her sights on a career in law, she landed a role with specialist Sydney firm Doyles Construction Lawyers, working on a large dispute on behalf of Transgrid. Dominique’s time in private practice was followed by work with the Australian Industry Group, as an industrial relations lawyer, and six years as Chief Executive Officer of the National Retail Association, before her appointment as Commissioner in December 2022.

A wife and mum to two young children, a Groodle named Ted and “an overweight 16-year-old cat named Tish,” Dominique counts routine, and investing in her health and wellbeing through daily movement and exercise, among her habits for success, along with spending time with her family.

Reflecting on her career thus far, she acknowledges that the biggest obstacle she has faced is herself.

“When opportunities presented themselves my first reaction was that the organisation should look for someone else,” she said.

“I learned how to back myself by leaning into mentors who had very different backgrounds and approaches to me and in some respects had to teach myself to lose the risk-averse lawyer persona I had worked so hard to develop.”

Those early days in the construction space also proved pivotal.

“The most fundamental learning from my time as a construction lawyer was to pick up the phone. Always talk someone through news, whether good or bad and then send the letter. It always helps if people can ask questions and if they have someone who will listen.

“The commercial and practical realities of a problem can be very different to black letter law, and it was important to provide businesses with options so they could make the best decision for their business and their employees.”

The office of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) was set up to enhance the operating environment of small business, and to reduce the time and costs associated with resolving disputes. Its assistance team takes calls from small businesses across the state looking for support, or who have a dispute with a landlord or another business. The Commissioner’s team connects them with support or helps them navigate alternate dispute resolution.

“We also have a strategy and engagement team who engage and advocate to all levels of government for better outcomes for small business,” Dominique said.

“This might be on a policy level for national or state-wide reform, engaging with industry to understand their views, working with local government through our Small Business Friendly Program and sharing information with the public.”

Micro and small businesses account for the lion’s share of the industry, with 65 per cent of building and construction sector workers employed by a small business. Construction industry businesses also account for 17 per cent of the 473,000 small businesses currently operating in Queensland.

While the number of construction businesses has grown by 8.8 per cent in the last five years, their contribution to the state’s gross domestic product has increased by just one per cent.

Dominique said this indicates that while the pie hasn’t grown much, there are more players in the market.

“Our data indicates that industry profits have decreased by at least two per cent since 2019, and that wages have increased. Overall, it has been a tough market and those businesses continuing to soldier on are brave and are having to make tough decisions in all aspects of their business,” she said.

Success habits: Routine, investing in my health and wellbeing through movement and daily exercise.

Favourite ways to wind down: Exercising, spending time with my children, reading, and listening to music.

First job: I handed out flyers dressed as a clown for a homewares retailer.

“There is no doubt that no matter what industry you are in, the three biggest challenges are rising costs, skills shortages, and (assuming you can find staff) housing for staff. The unpredictable nature of costs across the board is hard to factor into pricing as it is changing quickly while higher interest rates, freight and fuel costs continue to be problematic.”

Dominique’s key piece of advice to small business owners: don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“It is a brave thing to start and run your own business, but no one expects you to do it all on your own,” she said.

“We are here to support you and it is always best to seek help early, especially when it comes to finances and compliance issues.

“Many construction businesses are sole traders and face challenges with getting paid. When the payment for the last job is so crucial to paying subbies and employees on the current job, any delays can have significant flow on effects. It is more important than ever that small businesses track their cash flow and having automated software for this can really help.”

With the state’s population set to boom to as high as 8.27 million by 2046, the Commissioner said bolstering the sector was crucial.

“We need infrastructure, housing and other services built across the state to maintain our standard of living and to support this growth. There are huge opportunities not just for work in the construction industry in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games but in general - Queensland is going from strength to strength.”