Queensland Small Business Month is an annual celebration of the 495,000 small and family businesses that contribute over $131 billion to the state’s economy and employ more than one million Queenslanders. Under the powerful theme of Recharge. Renew. Rebuild , this year’s events empowered local entrepreneurs with knowledge, tools, and connections to revitalise their businesses and drive sustainable growth.

Hosted by the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce , our series of events brought together industry experts, government representatives, and passionate business owners to share insights, strategies, and support for thriving in today’s dynamic market.

Our first event, "Nailed It – Financial Requirements for Tradies" , featured Natasha from QBCC, who provided essential guidance on annual financial reporting, MFR compliance, and SBFCS support strategies. Nick from Small Business Financial Counselling Service shared practical advice on improving cash flow, lease negotiations, and accessing financial support. Katherine Watson, Business Wellness Coach, offered valuable tips on managing stress from all areas of life, while Emma, Business Concierge, connected attendees with vital government resources. Katie from State Development Group rounded out the session by telling us about opportunities available to growing businesses.

In our Business Tools Workshop , originally designed for tradies but opened to all industries, participants gained a deeper understanding of apprentice and traineeship programs, QBCC compliance, and growth strategies. Jason from CSQ presented upskilling initiatives, while Nick and Katherine returned to discuss financial and wellness support. Emma joined again to highlight government-led growth programs, and Catherine Kerlin from Goondiwindi State High School and Scott from the Department of Trade explored apprenticeships, Traineeships and school-based apprenticeships as pathways to future success.

The week continued with two vibrant networking events —one in Goondiwindi and another hosted at Blask Engineering in Inglewood. A huge thank you to Lynda and Brad for opening their doors and sharing their inspiring journey. With recent investments in cutting-edge machinery like the Excalibur and Automatic CNC drilling lines, Blask Engineering continues to grow, delivering high-quality work across the east coast. Their commitment to innovation, production excellence, and being an employer of choice sets a shining example for regional businesses everywhere.

We also attended the insightful workshop “What Is My Bottom Line Telling Me?” , led by Emma Wagner (Business Concierge), Nick Hess (Financial Counsellor), Trudi Bartlett (Small Business Mentor), David Murdoch (Cyber Security Advisor), and Kerrie Richards from Merrion Country. Kerrie shared how her family business proudly chooses to manufacture locally, supporting jobs and communities across the supply chain—from Australian woolgrowers to in-house garment production. Their dedication to traceability, ethics, sustainability, and quality resonated deeply with all attendees.

Through education, collaboration, and community connection, the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce successfully delivered a Queensland Small Business Month 2025 also the filled with energy, insight, and inspiration. Together, we are recharging our spirit, renewing our purpose, and rebuilding stronger, more resilient businesses for the future.

Thanks to the support from all of the people motioned above, GTT, and this was all made possible by support from the Department of Customer Service, Open Data, Small and Family Business (CDSB).