Tom Potter shares advice with small businesses across Isaac region

Small businesses encouraged to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and bounce back through workshops and seminars as part of Small Business Month.

Business leader and Eagle Boys founder Tom Potter will be sharing his business advice at The Networking Evening with Tom Potter in Moranbah and Clermont as part of Small Business Month in the Isaac region.

One of Australia's most innovative entrepreneurs will share a few slices of business advice with Central Queenslanders as part of Isaac Regional Council's Small Business Month.

Business leader and Eagle Boys founder Tom Potter will be the key speaker at The Networking Evening with Tom Potter in Moranbah and Clermont in May.

Mr Potter left school at 15 and found himself jobless at 23. He opened his first pizza shop in Albury, New South Wales in 1987 and proceeded to build his business to become Australia and New Zealand's largest privately owned pizza company.

Fast forward 34 years later and he is still here, and part of the reason is his most valuable lesson- to "continuously evolve".

Mr Potter said his advice for Isaac's small business community was to adapt and pivot.

"Take a good look through your customers eyes and ask yourself if you stand out like a zebra among horses in your field," he said.

"Also allocate time to think and strategise."

Not afraid of change and pivoting in business, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic Mr Potter launched his new business venture Pizza Guardians.

Central Queenslanders can hear more from Mr Potter at the networking event held on Thursday, May 13, at Moranbah and Friday, May 14, at Clermont.

Small Business Month workshops and events cover a wide range of topics including designing a business road map, how to write business grants, social media and marketing, cyber security and how Human Resources can drive business performance.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said COVID-19 had taught businesses and industry to be more resilient than ever.

"We're a diverse and fiercely independent region that continues to rise to the social and economic challenges thanks to COVID-19," Cr Baker said.

"Through these incredibly tough times, our mum-and-dad enterprises and their hard work in the Isaac region has been vital in maintaining both the Queensland and Australian economies.

"Some of our own small businesses have faced hardship and we will continue to support our communities as and when needed especially through these empowering workshops and events."

Mr Potter will be one of many presenters during Small Business Month, supported by Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), Isaac Regional Council and the Local Buying Foundation.

GW3 chief executive officer Kylie Porter said small businesses were the mainstays of regions like Isaac and there were a large number of events planned to ensure all small businesses had a chance to connect.

"The Networking Evening with Tom Potter and other workshops are great resources to encourage Isaac small businesses to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and bounce back from a turbulent year," Ms Porter said.

All workshops will be recorded for future download and viewing.

Click here for more information on the Small Business Month online workshops or to book your seat to The Networking Evening with Tom Potter.

 

Originally published as Aussie entrepreneur shares advice with businesses across Isaac

Originally published as Tom Potter shares advice with small businesses across Isaac region