Across Victoria, small businesses are making a big impact by giving back, thinking creatively, and striving for excellence.

This year, 3 standout small businesses have been recognised through the City of Melbourne Lord Mayor's Small Business Awards.

We’ve asked these businesses to share their story on how they started, what drives their business and what advice they have for other small business owners.

Small Business of the Year: Seesaw Studio

Matt McKenzie and Anita McArthur, co-founders of Seesaw Studio, first crossed paths studying Communication Design at RMIT. The 2 students had big ideas and shared a dream of one day starting their own studio.

After graduating, they worked together in a small design practice before heading off in different directions. Before long, their paths began to overlap again and it became official.

20 years later, Seesaw Studio has delivered brand-led design, strategy and digital solutions to clients across a broad variety of sectors, working out of their carbon-neutral studio in North Melbourne.

‘Winning the Lord Mayor’s Small Business of the Year has been a huge moment for us. It arrived as we reached our twentieth year in business, so it feels like a recognition of everything we have built over 2 decades. It is a reminder that creativity, care and consistency still matter,’ – Anita McArthur, Seesaw Studio co-founder.

Part of what makes Seesaw Studio special is helping clients stand apart. ‘What truly defines us is the care and craft we bring to every project,’ says Anita. Seesaw Studio takes the time to understand their clients, their challenges, their audiences and their purpose, working side by side to elevate both their brands and their business.

Anita shares the following advice for other small business owners.

Define who you are and stay true to it. Build your business around purpose and values because they will guide every decision and help you attract the right people. Treat your team well, give back where you can and never lose sight of the reason you started. When you love what you do and you do it with integrity, people notice – Anita McArthur.

Small Business Innovation Award: Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne

Dr Amber Hart was concerned that families were being left to coordinate their own postnatal care at an extremely vulnerable, challenging and complex time in their lives.

Seeing the need to provide consistent, evidence-based advice to families, Dr Hart established Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne.

In just 3 years, Dr Hart and Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne has become a multi-award-winning service. Their healthcare innovations have supported more than 5,000 clients.

‘Winning the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Innovation Award has had a significant positive impact on our business. It has increased our visibility and credibility within the community, attracting new clients and partnerships.'

‘The award has also provided opportunities for networking and collaboration with other local businesses and stakeholders, enabling us to expand our reach and enhance our offerings to better serve the community.'

Dr Amber attributes their success as a small business to finding a gap in the market and providing a service. However, part of what helped Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne succeed was being open and flexible as a business.

‘We continue to pivot as we identify areas of the business that are either exceeding or not quite meeting our expectations. We value feedback from our clients and act on it swiftly and we encourage collaboration, rather than competition.'

Dr Hart shares the following advice for other small business owners.

It’s so much harder than you could ever imagine, but the rewards are incredible. We are stronger when we work together, so foster community connection and collaboration with other like-minded businesses and don’t be afraid to invest in the intangible – marketing is EVERYTHING. It doesn’t matter how great your service or product is, it’s nothing if nobody knows about it – Dr Hart.

Small Social Enterprise Award: Ngarrgu Djerring

Ngarrgu Djerring café and cultural space, led by founder Kyle Vander-Kuyp and CEO Troy Crellin, was created to bring people together through food, culture and opportunity. The vision was to build a space that celebrates Aboriginal knowledge and ingredients while creating culturally safe employment pathways for young First Nations people.

Troy Crellin, CEO of Ngarrgu Djerring, says, ‘the first couple of years have been about learning, refining and building community. It’s been exciting to see how positively people have embraced what we’re doing.'

Kyle Vander-Kuyp, founder of Ngarrgu Djerring, explains, ‘Ngarrgu means “knowledge” and Djerring means “together” — that really sums up what we’re about. We want people to feel connected — to culture, to country and to each other.'

Through its biannual program, the café supports 15 participants with culturally safe mentorship, community referrals and pathways to hospitality and beyond. Showcasing native Australian ingredients and Melbourne’s food culture, Ngarrgu Djerring also serves as a hub for cultural tourism, education and Aboriginal art, with local artists displaying their work.

‘Winning the Lord Mayor's Small Social Enterprise Award has helped raise awareness of our work and opened doors to new partnerships. It shows that First Nations enterprise is being celebrated and supported in Melbourne,’ – Kyle Vander-Kuyp.

Since winning the award, catering requests and café visits have also increased, giving Ngarrgu Djerring the opportunity to expand their reach and impact.

A shared purpose and making a difference drives their business. From using native ingredients to creating training pathways, everything they do is about blending culture with contemporary hospitality.

Troy Crellin shares the following advice for other small business owners.

Stay true to your purpose and build from your values. Be patient, adaptable and open to collaboration — community and partnership are key. If you can align your business with a deeper mission, that’s where the real impact happens. When your 'why' is strong, it carries you through the challenges. Start small, stay true to your purpose and build genuine partnerships along the way – Troy Crellin.