Running a small business is a tumultuous journey. In tough times, many small businesses don’t know where to turn to for advice.
The NSW Small Business Commissioner is reaching out to small businesses across the state with Small Biz Connect, giving free business advice on all facets of entrepreneurship.
‘Free’ is emphasised, as the Commissioner is well aware that cash flow is one ongoing issue for small businesses in all stages of life, and might not be able to afford expensive consultants.
One program from Small Biz Connect that’s gained traction is the Small Biz Bus, a mobile business advice service travelling around NSW where small businesses need help the most.
It’s not just about basic exercises with general worksheets and pamphlets – the Small Biz Bus has multiple business advisors on board to provide tailored half-hour sessions for the business.
The Small Biz Bus is a mobile office for business advisors to travel around NSW. Source: Supplied
Gus Nehme, the Arabic business advisor says, “What we provide in that is one on one advice to help with whatever situations they're experiencing. Could be a new idea. Could be an expansion. Could even be succession planning that we can help with that. Even if they have other problems such as dispute resolution, issues they have with their staff, so we offer all of this advice for free."
Gus is one of four multicultural advisors on board the bus to help and engage small business operators from non-English speaking backgrounds. Along with Arabic, the Biz Bus offers Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese services.
Gus with a few of his Arabic-speaking clients. Source: Supplied
Today, the Small Biz Bus is in Merrylands, a vibrant multicultural community in which 65% of people speak a language other than English at home. (ABS)
Arabic is the most predominant non-English language spoken, so it’s no surprise Gus has his hands full with numerous small business owners lining up to see him.
“With Arabic specifically...a lot of people who come from overseas, they have sort of different rules, government rules and stuff like that to start a business,” says Gus.
Merrylands has a massive Arabic-speaking community. Source: Supplied
“I’ll give you classic example, in some parts of the Middle East, you can open a pizza shop without any government regulation, where here, they have to go through some regulation.”
Another major language spoken in Merrylands is Mandarin. Michael Xie, the Chinese business advisor, acknowledges business owners from different backgrounds have varying needs.
“For example, Chinese culture, the owner and the intenders - normally they're very conservative. They do not normally open themselves to native English speakers,” says Michael.
“But we speak the same language, we are from the same cultural background, so when we meet them, we can easily engage with them. They can tell us exactly what is happening to their business so we can provide a very professional and personalised service to them.”
Understanding their language is important to understanding their business needs, says Michael Xie. Source: Supplied
Saida Badreddine, owner of catering service Sou Sou’s Place, comes from an Arabic-speaking background. Due to the language barrier, she originally found it difficult to find help for her business needs. She says the Small Biz Bus “took me in the right direction - how do I do my marketing, how do I do my business, how do I do my cards, how to do flyers and pamphlets, how to go on Facebook.”
It shows that with the right fuel for the engine, every small business can start the ignition and drive down the path to success.
To find out where the Small Biz Bus is headed next, visit the
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