Funding to kickstart small businesses

298 small businesses will share in more than $1 million in funding to support new Queensland small businesses.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman today announced the successful applicants will receive assistance to access professional advice and support in the critical early stages of establishing a business.

“Grant recipient, Molten Store is a leading example of the Palaszczuk Government supporting small businesses to grow, especially in the early stages,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Brisbane local Jessy Cameron took her jewellery business from popup stalls to a permanent store in the heart of fashionable James Street in Fortitude Valley.

“Jessy has followed her childhood passions for collecting treasures and crafting jewelry for herself and friends and turned this into a growing and vibrant small business.

“Shying away from mimicking the fast fashion trend, Molten Store is focused on ‘unique boutique’ creations.”

“Since starting out online, the popularity for Jessy’s beautiful accessories have taken off and it’s fantastic that the demand for her products drove her business to be able to open a store in the heart of shopping precinct James Street in Fortitude Valley.”

“With the help of a previous Small Business Digital Grant last year, Jessy has not only redeveloped her online store but also enhanced her instore business.

“Since then Molten Store has gone from strength to strength and she has been able to grow her business and employ more Queenslanders.”

Ms Cameron thanked the Palaszczuk Government for the support of small businesses in Queensland and said the grant funding would go a long way to making her business sustainable.

“Because of the Digital Grant, I’ve seen sales increase and I'm now inspired to harness this growth and plan for the future,” Ms Cameron said.

“The Entrepreneur Grant means I can access high-level accounting expertise and undertake an in-depth analysis of what I need to keep growing in stride with our grand ambitions.

"This grant has empowered me to plan for sustainable financial growth. The future is an exciting place.”

“Small businesses and passionate people like Jessy, are the engine room of our diverse Queensland economy and supporting them to get off to the best possible start leads to more local jobs,” Ms Fentiman said.

“These grants will provide professional advice to help our new small business owners to be successful and reach their goals.

“More than 97% of Queensland business are small businesses so it is vital that we continue to recognise the valuable contribution they make to our communities across the state.

“The funding of up to $5,000 will give small businesses a head start to a stronger future.”

“Since the Palaszczuk Government came to office we have worked with business and industry to create over 143,900 new jobs in Queensland.”

This announcement brings the total number of businesses benefiting from the program to 446.

The Palaszczuk Government supports small businesses and will open further rounds of grants in 2018. To be eligible, small businesses must have registered a business name in the last four years and have fewer than 20 employees.

More information is available on Business Queensland (www.business.qld.gov.au/entrepreneur).   

ENDS

Contact: Inga Williams         0410 769 711