Council invites local businesses to help celebrate Queensland Small Business Month 2025
Livingstone Shire Council is proud to announce a packed calendar of free events and workshops this May in celebration of Queensland Small Business Month 2025.
The month-long program, themed Recharge, Renew, Rebuild, will offer local business owners a range of opportunities to strengthen, grow, and support their ventures.
Queensland’s small and family businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy, contributing over $131 billion and employing more than one million people.
Mayor Adam Belot said businesses in Livingstone Shire are a vital part of the community, and Council is dedicated to creating opportunities to ensure their continued success and future growth.
"As a proud member of the Small Business Friendly Program, Council is committed to helping our local businesses not only survive but thrive.
“Council’s goal is to provide practical resources and support to entrepreneurs and established businesses alike, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to succeed in an ever-changing market."
Through its Building Blocks of Business Success program, Council has curated a diverse range of free events designed to equip local business owners with the necessary skills and support to lay a solid foundation for long-term success.
From workshops on business strategy and branding to one-on-one health checks and AI tools for efficiency, the initiative aims to address the key areas that drive business growth and sustainability.
The workshops will be facilitated by visual expert Sinead from Hello Mae Studios, who specialises in social media strategy, content creation and online brand development, ensuring businesses stand out with a consistent and engaging online presence.
The program includes the following key events:
- Breaking Ground – Turning Ideas into Business Success: A ½ day session, once a week for five-weeks workshop series to guide aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start their business the right way.
- Is Your Business Built to Last or Does it Need a Reno?: A ½ day session, once a week for five-weeks program that helps established businesses assess and strengthen their foundations for long-term success.
- Brand Building with Canva: A half-day workshop to help businesses create compelling branding and design.
- Building Financial Confidence Through Bookkeeping: Learn how Xero software can streamline financial processes for your small business.
- Business Health and Wellness Checks: Personalized sessions with an accredited Small Business Financial, Wellness & Wellbeing Coach.
- QRIDA Drop-In Sessions: One-on-one consultations for primary producers to explore grants and loans available to support farm businesses.
- AI and Other Tools for Business: A two-hour session to explore how AI tools can enhance productivity and competitive advantage.
Partnering with the Queensland Department of Customer Services, Open Data & Small and Family Business and “Beam in Business”, the month will conclude with a special free Building Connections Over Breakfast event on 30 May, offering business owners the chance to network, share experiences, and celebrate the contribution of small businesses to the local economy.
This event will feature MasterChef 2023 winner Brent Draper, who has made Yeppoon his home and established the recently opened Drapes Deli. Brent will share his inspiring journey from television success to small business ownership in our coastal community.
Mayor Belot continued, “Council has delivered numerous events, projects, and initiatives in recent years to support small businesses even partnering with organisations like The Capricorn Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Unleash to Business Power seminar last year.
“We are constantly exploring new avenues to strengthen and enhance the local economy. One such initiative is the current Small Business Survey, which aims to better understand the needs of our small business community.
“We encourage all small business owners to participate in the survey, as completing it offers the opportunity to win one of four tickets to the Beam in Business Masterclass, following the Breakfast event.
“The upcoming events on offer are just one of the many ways Livingstone Shire Council is empowering our local business community to grow, invest, and plan for the future.”
The full program of events and registration details is available on Council's Calendar of Events webpage and the Discover Capricorn Coast Facebook page.
Local businesses are encouraged to register now to take full advantage of these valuable resources by visiting https://events.humanitix.com/host/livingstoneshirecouncil
To take part in the Livingstone Shire Small Business Month Survey, visit