Three Canberra start-ups will be the focus this week of an event designed to shine a light on new ACT businesses.
Gillespie Group, one of Canberra’s most established small businesses, together with Danielle Cleary Events, one of Canberra’s newest small businesses and recently announced as a finalist in the Canberra Women in Business Awards – Best Micro Business Owner in 2017, will jointly host their second Take Flight event at Barlens on Thursday 24 August.
Take Flight will feature Baldwin Distilling Co, Practically Perfect Portions – Cakes in a Jar and Focus Cosmetic Medicine – three of 40 businesses that entered an online competition to win a business launch party.
Danielle Cleary, of Danielle Cleary Events, said the three businesses would have their own displays set up on the night to promote their products, services and brand awareness.
Baldwin will offer whisky tastings, Cakes in a Jar will have cake tastings and launch its new website and online ordering system, while Focus would be conducting one-on-one consultations emphasising its personalised, individualised service.
Ms Cleary said the three winners were asked to invite 25 guests but not just those who already knew about their products and services.
She said they were asked to think about with whom they would like to collaborate to raise the profiles of their brands.
Ms Cleary said the competition was a way for her event marketing and management company to give back to the local business community after her start-up business thrived in its first two years.
“We are celebrating our second anniversary this month but instead of throwing ourselves a party to celebrate we will again use the opportunity to support other small business through our Take Flight initiative,” Ms Cleary said.
“I think a lot of our success has been due to the collaborative relationships we have developed with other small businesses and we want others to experience that too.”
Canberra Business Chamber CEO Robyn Hendry, who will be a guest speaker at the event, said that more than 26,000 businesses operated across the Canberra region, and of these, around 97 per cent operated with less than 20 employees.
“With these figures in mind, it is clear that a healthy and vibrant small business sector is crucial to the diversification of the ACT economy,” she said.
“The Canberra Business Chamber recognises the importance of this sector and through it’s bi-annual Small and Medium Enterprise Survey, works to capture the views of small business and advocate to Government to make it easier to do business in the Canberra region.
“It’s vital this sector receives the support it needs to grow and innovate and I congratulate the event organisers Danielle Cleary Events for taking such a proactive approach in promoting up-and-coming small businesses in the Territory.”
Ms Cleary said the 100 guests at the event, hosted by Kristen Henry of Mix 106.3FM, would also include networkers such as Red Robot Industries.
“It’s all about those three winning businesses on the night, promoting them and the guests interacting with their products and services,” she said.
Guests would also be treated to catering, entertainment and complimentary gift bags.
Take Flight starts at 5:30 pm at Barlens, 67 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick.
Those interested in attending the event can contact Danielle Cleary Events at danielle@danielleclearyevents.com or on 0427 666 584.
