The Start of Something Big

Our First My Business Compass Workshop Recap

At The Regional Collective, we’ve always believed in the power of small businesses to drive regional growth. Wednesday November 13 2024, that belief was brought to life as we hosted our very first My Business Compass  workshop—and what a day it was!

With a room full of passionate business owners, regional guides, and supporters, this event was everything we hoped for: insightful, inspiring, and packed with connections. Here’s a look back at what made it so special and the key lessons we’ll carry forward.

Highlights from the Day

A Room Full of Diversity
One of the most rewarding parts of the day was the variety of businesses in the room. We had product makers, experience sellers, service providers—you name it—all at different stages of their journey. Seeing them share their unique challenges and ideas was inspiring.

As our Regional Guide Angela Pickett, Copywriter said:
“It was great to see the sharing and connections forming among businesses.”

Practical and Actionable Insights
Our amazing Regional Guides brought their expertise to the table, delivering sessions on branding, marketing, finance, and more. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees loving the actionable tips they could take home.

Cath Davies from Robbers Dog Distillery summed it up perfectly:
“Everything's been really friendly, really informative—great networking, great atmosphere! I’ve learned a hell of a lot today.”

The Power of Networking
There’s something magical about getting business owners in the same room. From swapping tips to brainstorming collaborations, the energy was contagious.

As Billie-Jo Kies from Barossa Helicopters shared:
“Connecting with other businesses to gain insights into my own has been so helpful!”

Lessons Learned

Running this  taught us a lot, and we’re taking every bit of feedback on board. Here’s what stood out:

• Diverse Perspectives Are Invaluable: Bringing together businesses from different industries and stages created rich discussions and learning opportunities for everyone.

• Tailored Content Makes a Difference: Participants appreciated how the advice and tools were relevant to the unique challenges of small and micro businesses.

• Community Is Key: The relationships built during the workshop were just as impactful as the content itself.

Stories That Inspired Us

Hearing from attendees about their key takeaways was a highlight for our team.

• Catherine Summers from Fibre Bird Studio told us:
  “I’m going to go home and implement 3/4 of what I learned today—because I’m not ready for the other quarter! Watch this space!”
  
  

• Billie-Jo Kies of Barossa Helicopters left with a clear focus:
  “A little bit more delegation would be good for me. Today’s been a fantastic mix of information and connecting with others.”
  
  

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning for My Business Compass. The feedback we’ve received and the connections we’ve witnessed have inspired us to take this initiative even further. We’re committed to empowering more small businesses, fostering collaboration, and strengthening regional communities.

Here’s where you come in:
💡 Want to bring this workshop to your region? Get in touch with us to nominate your area as the next stop on our roadshow.
💡 Ready to make a real impact? Become a sponsor and help empower small businesses in your region while strengthening the local economy. This helps keep the workshop affordable to those who need the expertise most. 

Let’s work together to create opportunities, spark innovation, and build thriving regional business communities.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To everyone who made this  a success: thank you. From the incredible participants to our Regional Guides who poured their expertise into every session, and especially to Anita Mariani and the RDA Barossa, Gawler, Light & Adelaide Plains team for their unwavering support—it was truly a team effort.

As Anita said:
“Shelley and her team made the process seamless. The synergies with our B2B Program were just perfect.”

Join the Journey

We’re so excited about what’s ahead, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, connect with us online, and be sure to tune into our podcast for more regional business inspiration.

📧 Contact us today to learn more about nominating your region or sponsoring a workshop!

Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when new dates are released & our Online Course goes Live in January 2025!

The momentum is building, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next. Let’s make it happen—together.

Stay connected,
Shelley & The Regional Collective Team