Events and training

Business owners are always adapting. In Maitland, there are opportunities to come together – online and in person – with other businesspeople to network, collaborate and upskill.
Small Business Start Up Series 2022

Maitland City Council and the Hunter Futurepreneurs Program are delivering a series of six short sessions to get you started in your own business.

If you have recently started a new business of are interested in beginning one, there are many aspects to take into consideration that appear overwhelming but can be tackled easily.

The Small Business Start Up Series is here to help, addressing what you need to know to start, types of business that might suit you, how to validate your business idea and other helpful tips and resources. 

Attendance is free, registration essential. Join for one session or all. More information here. The upcoming sessions include:

 

Launch your start up - 7 essential steps, tips and strategies

Wednesday 25 May 2022, 10am - 12pm

Maitland Regional Art Gallery, workshop space

 

Futureproof your business - strategies to sustain and grow your business

Wednesday 22 June 2022, 10am - 12pm

Gillieston Heights Community Hub

 

Small business opportunities in the NDIS sector

Wednesday 27 July 2022, 12 - 2pm

Maitland Regional Athletics Centre, meeting room

 

50+ business ideas you can start today

Wednesday 24 August 2022, 12 - 2pm

Maitland Regional Athletics Centre, meeting room

 

Business Support Series 2021

Maitland City Council and the Hunter Region Business Hub presented the Business Support Series to energize and empower businesses operators as COVID-19 restrictions eased. Resources from the webinars are available below.

Digital marketing simplified

Learn the easy way to plan your promotions to get better results, faster. 

Workshop resources:

Four steps to getting a grant

Navigating your way through all the business grants can be tricky. Learn how to find grants and make your business grant ready.

Workshop resources:

Be prepared for anything

Risk management planning helps you to make decisions aimed at protecting your business from negative events. 

Workshop resources:

Take control of your digital reputation

Manage your digital marketing to strengthen your brand, increase customer retention and boost your income. 

Workshop resources:

 

 

Training programs

Explore Being Your Own Boss is a 2 week program aimed at unemployed individuals aiming for self employment. Participants gain an understanding of what running a business is all about and begin testing out business ideas. Available through New Hunter Business in partnership with The Business Centre and Hunter Region Business Hub.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a fully funded training program aimed at giving people the skills and confidence to run their own business. Seven weeks of hands on training for your business is supplemented with a year of ongoing business mentoring to help keep you on track. Eligible participants may qualify for the NEIS allowance as well as rental assistance through the program. Available through New Hunter Business in partnership with The Business Centre and Hunter Region Business Hub.

Digital Business Solutions is an Australian Government initiative which supports small business with digital marketing, e commerce and data and privacy security. Available through the Hunter Region Business Hub.

Small Business Month 2020

NSW Small Business Month is an annual celebration of small and medium businesses. 

The 2021 Small Business Month has been postponed until March 2022.

For Small Business Month 2020, Maitland City Council ran a visual merchandising program.  With support from the NSW Government, we were pleased to deliver an online workshop with Carol B, of Retail Revamp, and offer merchandising coaching at participating businesses.   

A highlight of the program was a shop window makeover on 15 October 2020.  When Council issued a call out for local businesses wanting an expert shop window makeover, Sue Towns, owner of Flight Dance Supplies jumped at the opportunity. Expert merchandiser Carol B took over the store to demonstrate some quick and inexpensive ways to enhance a retail environment.

Check out the video to gather some merchandising inspiration.

 

Digital Accelerator Program

The Digital Accelerator Program (DAP) was an action of Maitland City Council’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery program. We supported over a dozen businesses between July 2020 and June 2021 in transitioning from traditional in store retail operations to also include online ecommerce sales.

We caught up with local business owners Sherry Theobald from Skate Ape and Mel Anderson from Junkyard Gypsies to hear about their experience during the program.

 


Quotes from traders who participated in the program:

"The Digital Accelerator program has helped us make the transition to selling online and attracting a wider audience" - Pat L, Ken Lane Menswear

"I loved the Digital Accelerator Program, it was an amazing help in developing and launching my website" - Michelle B, Mod Bods Children’s Boutique