Owning your own business can be a daunting venture, everything is trial and error and sometimes you just need a sense check on where you are heading.

Acknowledging the challenges of starting, running and growing a business, Brisbane City Council is on a mission to create Australia’s most small-business friendly city. And, to hit the ground running, they’ve launched three new initiatives to help small business flourish.

Free monthly small business networking events, workshops to train and enhance skills and empty space activations in suburban retail precincts are only the beginning of how Council is upping the ante to support local business owners.

Local business owners, like Gathering Events founders Jen and Adam Macmillian, will be able to get a helping hand when they need it the most.

Jen said they were recently able to take advantage of the new initiatives first-hand when applying for a food license for their mobile catering company.

“Our business, Gathering Events, has grown organically year-on-year, from a mobile caravan bar service to now offering our clients food carts, gelato carts and cocktail bars,” she said.

“We recently were able to have 50% off a food license application fee, which even after five years in business, is a huge saving for us to put towards other elements of the business-like staff, marketing or new product development.”

With more than 124,000 small businesses operating across Brisbane and accounting for 97% of all registered businesses in Brisbane, the new support offered by Council will help additional businesses to grow and start in across the city.

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new initiatives were in addition to existing small business support services and were a direct response to feedback from business owners.

“We know our small business owners are battling and want to feel more connected to the local business community, have more life in the suburbs and access training that is focused on their needs,” Cr Schrinner said.

Jen echoed the importance of a strong business community that can flourish and overcome challenges together.

“All of our suppliers, from our printer to our gelato maker, are local,” Jen said. “We have come to consider them friends and these initiatives provide a way to create an even richer small business community in Brisbane.”

For Jen and Adam, they understand and have experienced first-hand, how isolating running your own business can be.

“Our warehouse is located in Geebung and we often will spend the day there and then come home to answer more emails,” she explained.

“I’m excited to see great local businesses have a way to meet, talk about the challenges and wins, find ways to collaborate or find new suppliers - we’re really all in it together.”

“There are conversations you can have with a fellow business owner that you can’t have with family or friends. They understand the challenges first-hand and can relate more easily.”

Jen said to any budding entrepreneurs with an idea or business owners in their start-up phase she would advocate taking the leap.

“The networking events and workshops will be an amazing opportunity to surround yourself with people in the same situation and get the confidence to take the next steps.

“Take action. There are programs to help you through each phase and you are not alone.”

“Brisbane is constantly changing, and it is incredibly positive to see how our city is growing. Suburbs are being activated and Brisbane is now seen as a legitimate player by big brands. What better time to start something?”

Council also offers local business owners a 24-hour business hotline and dedicated small business liaison officers for one-on-one support.

“With the right support, small businesses can thrive in Brisbane and we want to ensure we are doing all we can to give these businesses the opportunities necessary to grow and stay in Brisbane,” Cr Schrinner said.

For more information on how Brisbane City Council is supporting small business and bringing life to the suburbs visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au