Sole traders key to Toowoomba’s business success: Now you can share your story

Sole traders are key to Toowoomba and Australia’s economies. Here’s how you can share your success story.

The launch of Toowoomba Regional Councils Invest Toowoomba CBD prospectus. Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl

Sole trader: An individual running a business.

The number of sole traders in Australia continue to grow, with the ABS reporting in February 2020, a 3.9% increase.

There is abundant literature outlining the importance of sole trader businesses to the Australian economy, whether it be its role in decreasing unemployment or increasing productivity or pure economic contribution.

Maxmyprofit identified that sole traders account for almost 36% of the industry value in the Australian economy.

In Australia, 62% of all businesses are sole traders.

If your correlate this with the estimated 16,000 businesses in Toowoomba alone, it would equate to approximately ten thousand.

The recent Focus HR Business Excellence Awards was a celebration of the success of Toowoomba’s businesses.

There among the finalists, were sole traders like, Vigour Graphics, Alex Stalling Art and Toowoomba and Darling Downs.

Their success, like all small businesses, was built on hours upon hours of hard work, risk, frustration and setbacks.

Sometimes we have impossibly high expectations and don’t really understand what it takes to be a sole trader, to risk everything for a dream.

At the Toowoomba Chamber, we do understand.

We applaud you and we encourage you to do it because, the statistics say, the Australian economy relies on people like you.

We often underestimate the extent of the impact of a sole trader.

I know, I have in the past.

Take sole trader, Metiisto, Artisan Chocolate, as an example. Chocolate crafted here in Toowoomba.

Winner of national and international awards.

Chocolate that is exported around the world.

Chocolate found in kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms in New York, London, Paris and Berlin.

All with marketing that says, “Made in Toowoomba”.

Metiisto is not just a sole trader with global reach.

Metiisto, Artisan Chocolate, is an International Toowoomba Ambassador.

I have no doubt, there are many more sole traders’ stories like this in Toowoomba.

Want to share your sole trader story? Email [e-mail].