Lord Mayor States our Small Businesses are Brisbane's Backbone

OxfordStMarketing_EOFYBASH_2015___MG_7384 On 24 June, Oxford Street Bulimba Marketing’s members & guests were fortunate to have Brisbane‘s well-respected Lord Mayor Graham Quirk join them to celebrate the end of the financial year & foster business relationships to assist with facilitating a prosperous 2015/2016 financial year. The function’s major event sponsor was one of Brisbane’s finest & renowned modern Italian restaurants Delizioso on Oxford. The Lord Mayor graciously & humbly addressed Bulimba, Balmoral, Hawthorne & Morningside retailer & business owners, as well as community groups, sporting clubs, schools & non-profit organisations. Acknowledging the tireless efforts of those both in the non-profit & private sectors, the Lord Mayor aptly labeled small businesses as the “backbone” of Brisbane, commending the 121,000 small businesses within Brisbane with 20 employees or less. Oxford Street Bulimba Marketing reinforced, many of these are independent business operators or franchisees, either sole or family-run. Many have a retail shop presence with substantial overheads & some are home-based. Many have been operating for several years & some are entrepreneurial start-ups. All are equal in their dedication to their small business & its long-term prosperity, mostly supporting the livelihoods of their & their employees’ family units & Brisbane’s overall economy. Brisbane Lord Mayor also acknowledged their ongoing challenges to stay focused & profitable, and highlighted tactical services offered by the Brisbane City Council to provide support for small businesses in Brisbane. These include the Council’s dedicated 24 hour a day, seven day a week hotline (T: 133 263 or email 133BNE@brisbane.qld.gov.au) to support small business in Brisbane, the delivery of regular business forums & the employment of a digital team specifically to drive Brisbane Marketing‘s Digital Brisbane initiatives. These services are specifically offered to make the process of commencing or operating a business as easy as possible for Brisbane residents, which will help our economy continue to grow. The Lord Mayor also discussed how Brisbane’s ferry & citycat terminal upgrades & progressive renovation of first generation citycats would promote “Team Brisbane” & continue to place Brisbane on the global map, highlighting the importance of this initiative to the ongoing profitability of small businesses & Brisbane’s economic development as a “New World City“. Photo Credit: Bulimba Studios Story Credit: Melissa Harris, Journalism Intern, Oxford Street Bulimba Marketing. 2015 ..