The practical and customised service is operated through the newly formed Service NSW Business Bureau, which is aimed at supporting business owners at all stages of their business journey. Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said operating a business could be a challenging and sometimes isolating experience. “Getting informed, relevant support, in the form of fresh eyes from an independent advisor at the end of a phone line, or in person, can make all the difference,” she said.
“Business Connect’s independent advisors can give business owners confidential advice based on individual business goals via one-on-one sessions, such as financial advisory. “These capable business advisors have successfully run businesses themselves, so they speak the language of business owners.” Joanne Stanes, owner of Paint Station, is one Coast businesswoman who has received advice.
The creative art class studio based at Point Clare provides art tuition, art parties, after-school classes and adult classes. Stanes, a trained textile designer and artist, received support from Business Connect to help demystify the process of restructuring her business. “When I restructured my business, moving from a partnership to going out on my own, it was a steep learning curve,” she said.
“I needed to start from the very beginning – learning how to access and manage my bank accounts, restore various logins and to devise a business plan to help ensure my business was structured soundly for long-ter.
