Fifteen Wellington businesses have registered for the Great Business Program run by the Dubbo Regional Council.
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A total of 135 businesses in Wellington and Dubbo are participating.
Central Butchery on Lee Street is taking part. Business owner Josh Fisk said he was pleased to be involved for the very first time.
“The program is great for small local businesses in the region to gain further knowledge and support,” Mr Fisk said.
“It cost us some money, sure, but you’re not getting nothing out of it.”
Three $10,000 grants will be awarded to businesses involved in the program.
“Of course I’d love to get one of the grants, what business wouldn’t. It could really help to buy new equipment or fix up somethings in the shops,” Mr Fisk said.
“I mean, putting $285 on a horse and pulling ten grand back isn’t a bad day. But the knowledge we’ve also gotten is extremely valuable too.”
Mr Fisk said he considered the registration fee money well spent.
“Wellington has never had anything like this before, so I’ll definitely be signing up again next year.
“I’m encouraging other businesses in town to sign up too,” he said.
The Great Business Program, a revamp of the Your Dubbo program, is about building stronger businesses across the region.
The program was designed to educate, empower and reward local businesses.
Along with access to customer feedback and grant funding, participants were given the opportunity to attend two business development workshops led by expert guest speakers.
The first of the workshops was held on Tuesday May 10 at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.
The workshop was led by Lisa McInnes-Smith, the 2017 Professional Speakers Australia Keynote Speaker of the Year.
Ms McInnes-Smith’s high energy presentation challenged more than 300 attendees to focus on attitude, streamline behaviours and deliver better outcomes.
Dubbo Regional Council economic development officer Jacki Parish was pleased with the success of first workshop.
“The energy in the room was very real,” Ms Parish said.
“Lisa’s understanding of life challenges and business opportunities was clearly something that many of the 300 attendees could relate to.”
Redballoon founder and Shark Tank investor Naomi Simson will lead the second workshop on May 24.
The Great Business Program is an initiative of Dubbo Regional Council supported by the Wellington Business Chamber and Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Regional Australia Bank.
