TWEED SHIRE businesses wanting some extra help to navigate their way through the coronavirus pandemic are being offered a lifeline through affordable business support via Sourdough Business Pathways.
Sourdough Business Pathways is a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing continued business support online through its mentoring and workshop program to help small businesses navigate this period of uncertainty.
Sourdough Business Pathways and Sourdough Business Women have engaged with more than 1,800 individuals and businesses in the past 12 months through a range of programs, helping to build better businesses and create meaningful employment opportunities.
“We are committed to protecting the future of our region environmentally, socially and economically, recognising the need and value for local jobs,” says program manager Fiona Sheridan.
Mrs Sheridan said Sourdough Business Pathways began when a small group of volunteers committed to protect existing jobs in the Northern Rivers area and create new ones through their volunteer mentoring program.
“Founding members had a vision of utilising the wealth of experience, skills and wisdom of businesspeople and entrepreneurs that live and work in the area,” she said.
“This generosity of volunteer time, commitment, collaboration and support is what makes the mentor program so successful.”
Sourdough Business Pathways mentee Karina McKey said utilising the services has been a “game changer” for her business.
“Having access to such clever business minds which are available through the Sourdough mentor program has been a business game changer for us,” she said.
“In six months we have doubled our revenue, created significant additional employment positions and solidified our business practices to ensure a best practice model.”
Mrs Sheridan said now more than ever the Sourdough team want to support local business operators and entrepreneurs to remain viable.
“Many of our mentors have an abundance of knowledge having worked through recessions and the global financial crisis,” she said.
“We help businesses find the right advice at the right time by matching businesses with mentor expertise across a broad range of industry experience and skill sets.”
Mrs Sheridan said Sourdough also runs a number of online subsidised workshops.
For more information on the Sourdough mentor program, Sourdough Business Women and subsidised workshops please visit: www.spb.org.au