Having a thriving, sustainable small business sector is the incubator of our future employment and prosperity. They are the growth centre of an economy; whether it's at local, state or national level. Myer, Atlassian and Uncle Tobys all started out as small businesses.
Tim Farrah, Business Advisor, Australian Industry Group

Here in Victoria, over 718,000 small businesses employ more than 1.3 million people. That’s almost 20% of Victoria’s population. These big numbers also show the the importance of small business:

• 97% of Victoria’s businesses are small businesses.
• 39% of private sector employees are employed by small businesses.
• $417 billion in income is generated for Victoria by small businesses.

Whether it’s the personal touches, creative flair or entrepreneurial spirit, there’s so much to admire about small businesses.

Small business owners are nothing short of amazing, they have to master so many skills in addition to what they do as a business! I love their willingness to roll their sleeves up and work it out regardless of what new thing or skill they must get done.
Kirri Romero, Melbourne Innovation Centre

NLA Trucking

Micro, small and medium enterprises provide so many opportunities to empower yourself and others, follow your passions and find a sense of connection with the community.

Just take Nicole Appleton, founder and owner of NLA Trucking, who transformed her solo trucking gig into a thriving business. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she has forged a pathway for herself and others through small business.

I wanted to create a business that not only empowers women but also provides jobs and training for Indigenous people in the industry. I wanted to challenge stereotypes and show that women, especially Indigenous women, can thrive in any field they choose.
Nicole Appleton, NLA Trucking

Read more about Nicole and other inspiring female business owners: International Women’s Day: From Dreamers to Doers.

Where's the Party At? Custom Cakes

Michelle Hargreaves of Where's the Party At? Custom Cakes is all the proof in the pudding you need. For 20 years, Michelle dedicated herself to the dental industry before starting her own business.

Behind the scenes of being a busy practice manager, a different passion was quietly growing – one that traded dental charts for recipe cards and precision tools for piping bags.

I’ve always been creative at heart and knew I had a passion for what I wanted to do. Making it a sustainable business? That was a whole different challenge. But when I take a step back and look at what I’ve built, I feel a real sense of pride and achievement.
Michelle Hargreaves, Where's the Party At? Custom Cakes

Read more about Michelle’s journey: Where’s the Party At? Custom Cakes.

Viet Kitchen

Opening a business in a new country can be challenging, but shared experiences create strong bonds.

When Viet Kitchen in Footscray opened its doors in 2015, it found its place among the Vietnamese restaurants and retailers in the area, connecting with fellow business owners and locals. Despite early challenges like empty tables and mounting expenses, Vietnamese-born Thao Nguyen and her mother persisted. Their restaurant is now a local staple.

We love Footscray because it was the first place we lived when we first came to Australia. We cherish the sense of community and the kindness that people show to each other. With friends and family also calling Footscray home, it's where we feel most connected and happiest.
Thao Nguyen, Viet Kitchen

Read more about Victoria’s thriving multicultural business precincts: Embracing Diversity – Exploring Victoria’s Multicultural Business Hubs.