For Bec Pitt, running a small business in Sandgate is a labour of love.
The owner of Fifth Ave’s The Candle Pitt recently attended a small business forum, hosted by State MP for Sandgate, Bisma Asif, and Deagon Ward Councillor, Jared Cassidy.
Bec said she was “blown away” by how much help was available for small business owners.
“There are so many resources available that I didn’t know about – the business concierge service, the Queensland business chamber, and there are grants available for so many things,” she said.
“I feel really inspired, and the forum wasn’t just a rev up, it was really good information.
“There’s advocacy available if you need to talk to the ATO, and there’s a phone line for mental health help for small business owners.”
Ms Asif said she was pleasantly surprised by the strong turnout for the small business forum.
“There’s a lot of help out there, and sometimes people just don’t know where to go, so bringing those experts to our business community was something we wanted to do,” she said.
“We’re seeing changes in consumer trends, and a lot of our small businesses are struggling to get people in the door, so we also want to talk about how we sell Sandgate and attract people to come here.
“And not just Sandgate, but areas like Bracken Ridge and Taigum. We all want our local businesses to do well; we’re in it together.”
The Benefits of Shopping Locally
Bec added the forum had made her feel “really well supported”.
“I love Sandgate – we have the best coffee in Brisbane, and we have some beautiful little shops that people don’t know are even here,” she said.
“We could be the Maleny of the northside of Brisbane. You can get everything here that you can get at a big shopping centre – we literally have a butcher, baker, and a candlemaker!
“Shopping in Sandgate, you get personal service and quality, handmade goods. You don’t get that in big chain stores or cheaper online retailers.”
Ms Asif added her door was always open for anyone with ideas for boosting local business.
“We handed out feedback forms at the event, and I’m keen to see if people want to have other similar events,” she said. “If it’s doable, I will do it.
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