THE BUSINESS CONNECTION

Victoria’s Strong Economic Performance Leads Nation

Victoria’s economic recovery is powering ahead with strong household spending demonstrating consumer confidence and driving growth in economic activity higher than in any other state.

National Accounts data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows Victoria’s State Final Demand soared by 2.4 per cent in the March quarter – the best performance of all the states, twice the level of New South Wales and 50 per cent higher than the national average of 1.6 per cent.

The March quarter result followed a 3.5 per cent increase in the December quarter and puts Victoria’s annual rate of growth at 6 per cent, dwarfing New South Wales’ 3.8 per cent.

The ABS figures confirm Victoria has recorded the strongest growth of all the states in State Final Demand since November 2014, when the Andrews Labor Government took office.  

Household consumption was the backbone of the strong March quarter results as Victorians embraced the return to activities they love such as playing and watching sport, catching a movie with friends and going out to dinner.

Spending in hotels, cafes and bars was up by more than 10 per cent in the quarter, while big increases were also seen in transport services and vehicle sales.

More than 11,000 jobs were added in Victoria in April, taking the total jobs created since 2014 to more than 575,000 – proportionally more than any other state. That number includes more than 430,000 full-time jobs and a significant jump in female employment, with over 900,000 women in full-time work.

State Final Demand is a measure of economic activity that looks at the total amount of goods and services used in the economy.

Victoria’s economy is set to continue to expand and support more jobs, with forecasts in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 predicting a 5.5 per cent rise in Gross State Product in 2021‑22 followed by growth of 3.25 per cent in 2022‑23 and 2.75 per cent in each of the final two years of the forward estimates.

Beaston Rose Hair Co.

Pamper yourself at Beaston Rose Hair Co.

A Modern, fresh hair salon catering for all your colour and treatment needs. Specialising in foilayge and blonde correction our friendly staff are here to touch more hearts than heads.

When you are at Beaston Rose Hair Co., the local hair salon with a difference, you are never "just" a customer. They take the time to get to know you and your hair ensuring that you always look and feel your best.  Brooke and her fabulous team have the skills and passion that will set you apart from the crowd.

Brooke was so gracious to share with us her story, Please take a moment to read about the courage, resilience and initiative shown in this incredible young business entrepreneur. 

My name is Brooke Beaston and I am the owner and head stylist of Beaston Rose Hair Co. Our salon specialises in blondes and balayage and strives to touch more hearts than hairs. Our salon is a safe, passionate and encouraging environment, built to empower and inspire individuals with in the comfort of the salon chair. 

I started my hairdressing career at 14 years old, working along some of Albury Wodonga’s elite hairdressers. Qualifying at eighteen, I took the leap to self-employed. With fifty dollars in savings, my tool kit in arms. I started to advertise my small business. I had one toner, a ice cream container of lightener and some hand cut kitchen foil. What did I have to lose? 

After six months I was starting to build a great regular clientele. A small shop in Stanley Street was available. A lady let me sublet the front of her salon.  With a couple of second-hand chairs, Bunnings mirrors and a second hand basin we were up and trading. Within six months of trading in this salon, the High Street Fires struck. 

We lost power for weeks, without a place to go and unable to pay our rent. We packed up our tools and did a few weeks in my kitchen until I figured out our next move. 

A beautiful friend of mine Angela Hazeldine from “Madison hair and beauty” in Lavington took us in. Again we packed up our tools, and started again. 

Meanwhile; with a relationship breakdown at home and severe financial hardship. I continued to push. Between paying my home bills and salon renting, I was becoming overwhelmed and started to snowball. 

We rented chairs in Lavington for just under a year, until a small house on Hume street in Wodonga came up for rent. The house was zoned as commercial and residential, it gave me the biggest go in life. The walls were horsehair, cracked and dado boards. it needed some love. 

With the support of my family, we pulled together and painted the walls. Did all we could to get the salon going.  This is where Beaston Rose Hair Co was born. I was determined not to give up with my business, so I found a part time job that worked with the salon hours. 

I sold organic compost to farmers and nurseries all over Australia, from a phone and computer. Starting at 7 in the morning, I would work until 1 in the afternoon. I would open the salon from 2pm until 9/10 at night. Within a year of being at Hume Street covid stuck and we had our first lockdown. 

I struggled to get across the border, to work at the ag solution company. I struggled to get clients across the border for hair appointments. Meanwhile losing some clients to larger salons in Albury. 

Nearly running out of hope with my dream for the salon, an ad for the salon at Mayfair drive popped up. I had been saving all my money from my stable job, and living off bare minimum. I met with the beautiful landlords, I remember the keys being placed in my hand and the landlord saying. ‘Let’s build a salon,’ 

I called my partner that afternoon and said, “I did a thing.” And with this Beaston Rose Hair Co 2.0 was born.  A few days later the salon was moved to Mayfair Drive. Within eight weeks I put on my first employee. Within six months of trading, we tripled our annual income. 

Feeling a sense of alone and needing to connect I joined Young Business Edge and was voted Deputy Chair of the sub - committee. It created a place where I belonged, where I could talk to other business owner and young business professionals.

By the end of January 2021, we had been closed for one week trade, the covid restrictions continued from there. Lockdown, Lockdown, Lockdown. In the April, I found that Hayden and I were expecting our first baby. Within a week or two lockdown. We reopened for a few days, lockdown. 

The salon was just getting by, I felt so isolated and alone. The weight of the world on my shoulders. The pressure I felt was nothing like I had ever felt before. I remember asking myself when is it enough? When do I just let my dream go? And not because I had failed, that because the pandemic had ruined all the hard work I had put in over the years. 

Meanwhile we had been nominated for the Albury Wodonga Business Awards, and was a finalist in the young entrepreneur of the year award. 

By the end of 2021 we had been closed for 12 whole weeks of trading. I had my son in the December and continued to trade as of the new year. Currently the salon has just had a huge refit. New flooring, our first brand new mirrors and chairs. 

As of May my partner and I launched Albury Wodonga Soft Play. A soft play hire business for events, weddings and playgroups for children aged 0-5 years. Soft play hire, brought to you. We are Albury Wodonga’s, first registered and insured soft play hire business. 

Although my business has not had an easy road. My hardships are what have encouraged me to push further in my own personal and business development. The lessons I have learnt the hurdles I have over come have been huge eye openers and learning curves. Moving forward I wish to inspire young business owners to follow their passions. We are the future in business, although the road ahead can be hard. The struggle is worth every blood sweat and tear.

For next month we would love to get to know you and your friends.  So, bring a friend, mate, business colleague that would enjoy getting to know us.

We look forward to seeing you and your friends on the 5th.

Young Business Edge: Setting Yourself up for Financial Success

Have you ever wondered how you can set yourself up for financial success? Maybe you’ve dreamt of retiring early? Or taking a career break to travel?
 
Join us in hearing from a panel of experts to inspire and learn how to set yourself up for financial success.
 
Your ticket includes a mini meal, drink on arrival, speakers and the chance to win a lucky door prize.
 
We’ve lined up these some of the best in the business for you (speakers to be announced).
 
We’ll share some inspiring stories and cover topics like tips for saving money, investment options, building an investment portfolio, creating passive income and tax considerations.
 
Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Maverick with Mates

Join Business Women Albury Wodonga for a relaxed Friday evening
movie & networking! We encourage you to bring your partners &
friends!
Friday 17th June 2022
6:15pm @ Regent Cinema’s, Dean Street Albury
Movie Being Screened – Top Gun Maverick
Members $45| Non Members $49
Ticket includes Drink on arrival, Canapes, Movie & Popcorn!

Powerhouse - Business

The Powerhouse session will review a range of leading local thinkers working on business energy innovation. Hear great stories which will consider renewables, hydrogen, efficiency and possible business virtual power plants.

During the afternoon, border region businesses are invited to learn how they can embrace cost saving and reliability opportunities in their business. Solar Victoria CEO Stan Krpan will launch the afternoon and will be followed by speakers from Mondo, University of Technology Sydney, Relectrify, North East Water, Transficient and AGIG. Equally, after the business sessions end at 4:45pm residents can hear targeted presentations on virtual power plants and State Government programs to support solar and battery systems options for local electricity retail.
Hosted by Renewable Albury Wodonga Energy (RAW) and Albury Wodonga Australian Conservation Foundation, the day will strive to support the expansion of renewable energy across the Albury, Wodonga and the region. Spokesperson for RAW Bobbi McKibbin suggests the day will provide audiences with insights into the changes taking place as technology advances and capabilities expand.

“The energy industry is jumping forward in leaps and bounds, and renewable energy systems are offering terrific new options to reduce spiking power prices and build resilience against outages and emergency events. On top of the offerings for building energy systems, the day will also include a diverse range of trade displays with a team of local solar installers, storage providers, Solar Victoria and renewable energy experts, Mondo. There will even be eBikes available for people to try out.”

Funded by Mondo and the Hume Community Power Hub with Renewable Albury Wodonga Energy seeks to alert business to options for energy transformation.
DATE
Thursday 16 June 2022 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM (UTC+10)
LOCATION
The Cube
118 Hovell Street, Wodonga Victoria 3690

Business After Hours

Kirinari is a Regional Human Services Provider with a long history of assisting customers in living their best lives by helping them to access support services when and where required.

Wednesday 22nd June
5:30-7:30pm
135 Catherine Cres, Lavington

New help portal for resolving commercial disputes  

The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) has just launched a new online portal for applying for their help. 

When it comes to the key benefits, the new help portal will: 

• vastly improve the customer experience, with a new smart form that will guide people in identifying the service they’re after and providing the VSBC with the information they need to best assist  
• enable the VSBC to resolve commercial disputes more quickly and efficiently than ever before, with a new, modernised, fit for purpose case management system in a secure environment 
• enhance how the VSBC engages with people in small business and their supporters 
• leverage the intelligence and trends from enquiries and disputes to inform the VSBC's work in advocating for small businesses.