Regional business owners were told to “think big” and not to be scared about diving in and having a go.
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It was almost, don’t worry about the sharks, become one.
Those words of wisdom came from “shark” himself , Steve Baxter, one of the stars of television show, “Shark Tank”.
The program features five Australian business men and women: internet pioneer Steve Baxter, Boost Juice entrepreneur Janine Allis, international businessman Andrew Banks, RedBalloon experience founder Naomi Simson and Dr Glen Richards, founder of Australia's largest pet-care company Greencross.
They listen to entrepreneurs pitch ideas for a business or product they wish to develop. The “sharks” judge the business concepts and products pitched and then decide whether to invest their own money to help market and mentor each contestant. Mr Baxter was in Goondiwindi for a business breakfast last week at the invitation of the Goondiwind Chamber of Commerce.
The breakfasts are always a wealth of information, brought to business owners by other local business owners who are successful in what they do. And have some great tips.
Last week’s get-together was boosted by the attendance of Mr Baxter who despite his TV nom de guerre was anything but.
He gave down to earth advice, and certainly not "up himself" as he worried he might appear after he answered, perhaps, too truthfully, what he'd do if he had to look after the kids. But that's another story.
He made the time to speak one-on-one to many owners including Love Henry ( Children’s clothes fashion designer) owner Chrystal Henry about her expansion hopes and to McGregor Diesel, among others.
“His advice was invaluable,” Shane McGregor from Gregor Diesel said. “He was a very straight shooter with simple ideas,” Shane said.
Simple ideas that can pay of no matter where you live, even Goondiwindi. He gave an example of how four computer programmers and a designer turned an idea into a $30million business.
“You can’t find four programmers and a designer in Goondiwindi?
It’s possible,” he said. Not that there aren’t road blocks, or internet blocks. He said “telecommunications in Australia is abysmal”, especially in the bush.
“Hound your politicians...They’ve “helped’ us with the NBN and how do we all feel about that? “
Or find another solution.
Sometimes it’s about “getting of your a#$e and finding a way through yourself.” And remember, “It takes as much effort to do a small thing as a big thing”, so go big.
