Business owners on the Central Coast seeking free tailored support with starting, building, running or even exiting a business can receive up to eight hours’ assistance through Service NSW Business Connect.
The practical and customised service is operated through the newly formed Service NSW Business Bureau, which is aimed at supporting business owners at all stages of their business journey.
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said operating a business could be a challenging and sometimes isolating experience.
“Getting informed, relevant support, in the form of fresh eyes from an independent advisor at the end of a phone line, or in person, can make all the difference,” she said.
“Business Connect’s independent advisors can give business owners confidential advice based on individual business goals via one-on-one sessions, such as financial advisory.
“These capable business advisors have successfully run businesses themselves, so they speak the language of business owners.”
Joanne Stanes, owner of Paint Station, is one Coast businesswoman who has received advice.
The creative art class studio based at Point Clare provides art tuition, art parties, after-school classes and adult classes.
Stanes, a trained textile designer and artist, received support from Business Connect to help demystify the process of restructuring her business.
“When I restructured my business, moving from a partnership to going out on my own, it was a steep learning curve,” she said.
“I needed to start from the very beginning – learning how to access and manage my bank accounts, restore various logins and to devise a business plan to help ensure my business was structured soundly for long-term growth.
“To develop a good business in which I had to make all the financial decisions on my own.
“There are some incredible people at Business Connect who are waving the flag for you and really having your back.
“I was so fortunate to come across Business Connect when I was getting my car registration completed.
“It is a fantastic resource for businesses.
“Having someone cheering you on, being alongside you while you operate a business and to help you realise your business dreams is so empowering.”
From her art studio in Point Clare, Stanes provides professional art tuition for up to 100 people each week.
“My passion is helping children, teens and women unlock and nurture their creative talents … to produce artworks that are so beautiful that they don’t need to be relegated to the storage cupboard alongside the Christmas tree ornaments,” she said.
The classes, suitable for beginners to advanced, range from acrylic and ink to landscapes, still life, portraiture, watercolours and even gold-leafing techniques.
She also teaches art history, theory and fashion illustration.
“During the recent school holidays my studio was filled with students coming up from Sydney and down from Newcastle to study fashion illustration,” she said.
“I am so proud of what I’m achieving these days.
“I often teach children who are arty, some who are sporty, and many who are somewhere in between, who may not necessarily perceive themselves to be good at anything.
“I often find that once students complete a Paint Station class, their smiles are wide and their eyes light up when they realise that they may be create after all!”
Women’s paint and sip classes are held on the last Saturday of each month from 5pm-7.30pm.
Paint Station is located at 22 Priestley Pde, Point Clare.
Information about classes can be found through Instagram at jostanesartstation.