Business Expo Stall. (Photo – Madeline Grace).
The Scenic Rim has hosted its annual Business Breakfast and World of Work Careers and Business Expo, which has given local business owners the opportunity to network and promote their industries to the younger generations.
According to Mayor Greg Christensen the Scenic Rim is most well known for its agricultural and tourism businesses, however there are a wide array of local small businesses that add to the areas rich economy.
The Business Breakfast was held at The Centre in Beaudesert Thursday, March 18 and attendees learnt how to re-invent their businesses with practical tips and strategies to create growth, as delivered by guest speaker Robert Gerrish. Mr Gerrish is the auother of ‘The 1-Minute Commute’ and business best seller, ‘Flying Solo: How to go it alone in business’.
Mayor Christensen opening the business expo. (Photo – Madeline Grace)
The Careers and Business Expo was held afterwards at the Beaudesert Showgrounds, where local businesses were invited to set up a stall. Hundreds of Scenic Rim students filtered through and were given the opportunity to learn about what career prospects were available to them in a variety of industries.
Mayor Christensen said he was proud what the Scenic Rim had to offer the younger generations.
“No one tells you when you’re in school that the most important things are to love learning and be open to possibility,” he said.
“That’s why the word opportunity really resonates with me. That’s what I wake up looking for out of the day, that next opportunity.
Business expo stall. (Photo – Madeline Grace).
“The opportunity we can give to children today is to build that connection about what’s possible (careers) and how what you’re learning today will prepare you for that.
“If you can’t see a context for mathematics and science at school then it’s hard to apply yourself.
“But wouldn’t it just be great if we could give our kids a bigger kick start into that journey.”
Following on from the first Scenic Rim Career Expo last year, Mayor Christensen said he saw a lot of job outcomes and skill upgrades.
Business Expo Stall. (Photo – Madeline Grace).
“I know we’ve got some businesses who are trying to substantially increase their staff members and they’re seeing the expo as an opportunity to shout the excitement of what they have on offer,” he said.
“The challenge so often for our young people is they don’t know what they don’t know. Today is an opportunity to talk about careers with people who are actually living it and breathing it.
“I left grade ten at school to do an apprenticeship and I have no regrets. One thing I believe is that in life you should always be learning and upskilling.”
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner Maree Adshead also attended both Scenic Rim business events.
Business Expo Stall. (Photo – Madeline Grace).
“A lot of small businesses are sole traders and micro businesses and it can be a pretty lonely life. So getting together at an occasion like this can be fantastic,” Ms Adshead said.
“You get your head up of that desk and get to take yourself away from that screen time that we’re all so addicted to, and communicate with colleagues, learn from each other, have a good chat, reassure each other we’re all going through very similar things in our businesses and promote that networking opportunity.
“This Council area (Scenic Rim) is a small business friendly Council which is about recongising that vital role they play in the economy.”
