This month is Queensland Small Business Month 2022 (QSBM 2022), a time for celebrating the vital contribution small businesses make in driving the economy, creating local jobs and building strong communities.
There are more than 448,000 small businesses in Queensland, which account for 97 per cent of the business sector, contributing around $117 billion to the state’s economy.
Small businesses are the heart and soul of local communities, and after a tough couple of years, they deserve to be supported more than ever. On top of that, the recent flooding events in the southeast have many needing to start again, so anything we can do to get more customers through the doors of these businesses, the better!
This year’s QSBM theme is ‘love your small business’ and aims to encourage Queenslanders to support their local small businesses, shop locally and share the love online by using ‘#loveyoursmallbusiness’ whenever they go local, buy Queensland-made or shop small during May.
If you’re looking for tangible ways to show your support, there are heaps of things you can do like:
- Buy from independent businesses instead of big chains.
- Buy gift cards and vouchers for use later on or as gifts for friends and family.
- Buy fresh produce from locals
- Reach out to your favourite businesses – volunteering your skills in web design, bookkeeping, photography or finance could be just what they need help with.
- Share your support for small businesses online and take a selfie using the QSBM social media filter when you shop locally.
- Don’t forget to tag #QSBM2022, #shoplocal, #loveyoursmallbusiness and #buylocal.
- Encourage your friends to buy from small businesses and let them know you’re supporting small businesses.
- Pay the goodwill forward and share your good experiences with small independent businesses on social media using the hashtags.
- Give your favourite small business a plug on social media and tag them.
Near our community of Benobble Heights, there are so many wonderful small businesses to support. Here are just a few of our favourites:
- The Outpost Café – famous for its award-winning homemade pies.
- Historic Canungra Hotel – for a cold beer and a delicious meal.
- Canungra Village Markets – held on the last Saturday of the month, this market is a fantastic spot to shop a variety of wares from local artists, as well as fresh local produce.
- Flying Bean Café – overlooking Numinbah Valley and Mt Warning, this hidden gem is the perfect destination to have a great meal and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Scenic Rim Farm Shop & Cafe – enjoy local coffee and fresh local food prepared by Kate Raymont and shop an array of fresh produce and speciality items.
- Towri Sheep Cheeses – open to the public on the first Saturday of every month, you won’t find a more delicious variety of artisan, handcrafted sheep milk cheeses!
For businesses that want to share in the celebration of Queensland Small Business Month visit: www.business.qld.gov.au/qsbm or head to the Business Events page to discover expos, networking opportunities and procurement workshops, Indigenous and multicultural business events and forums being held throughout May.