The popular Building Sustainable Small Business (BSSB) program is back for 2009 with a focus on Local Living Economy and its benefits for small businesses and the region including resilience, innovation and sustainability.

The BSSB 2009 program includes Free Workshops, a comprehensive Mentoring Training and Leadership program, the new Scenic Rim Sustainable Business Directory and business networking opportunities.

Robyn Fortescue of Wallaby Ridge Retreat at Wonglepong is one of the first to enrol in the 2009 BSSB program.

“We expect that by the end of the program Wallaby Ridge Retreat will be both a fantastic example of a local living economy business and that our customers will enjoy a very special experience of local hospitality, food and culture,” said Robyn, who has enrolled in BSSB’s Mentoring, Training and Leadership program.

“We’ve developed a culture of great accommodation and wholesome good food but we want to go further by offering not only home cooked, but home-grown and locally supplied produce to showcase the region’s wares,” said Robyn.

The BSSB 2009 Free Workshops series runs at Beaudesert on Tuesdays 3 March, 7 April and 5 May from 10am to 12.30pm at the Logan & Albert Hotel. The Beaudesert workshops will have a special focus on tourism and tourism-related businesses but will be open to all business sectors. Additional workshops will be held at Tamborine Mountain/Canungra and Boonah later in the year.

Workshop topics include Local Living Economy and why it is vital to our region’s prosperity at this time of global economic downturn; Resource Sustainability and how to minimise your business risks and lighten your eco-footprint; and Strategic Sustainability - how business networking, collaboration and cooperation can help to leverage your business.

Jan McGregor, BSSB program co-ordinator said “We had a fantastic response to the program last year with more than 80 business people participating and we’re looking forward to 2009 being even better.”

“Participants have highlighted the value of learning about sustainability and how to apply it to their business, combined with networking, lively discussion and collaboration as the major benefits and outcomes of their involvement” said Ms McGregor.

The Beaudesert Free Workshop series will be facilitated by Dr Sally MacKinnon, well-known and popular sustainability educator. She will be joined at the first workshop on 3 March by guest speaker Genevieve Windley, Manager of Regional Development with Scenic Rim Regional Council.

The BSSB program recently launched the first Sustainable Business Directory for the Scenic Rim Region to local businesses at www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au . Applications to list in the directory are now being accepted.

The Building Sustainable Small Business program is designed to help small business from all industry sectors understand and apply sustainability through practical, interactive and hands-on learning.

BSSB is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program and is also supported and funded by the Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Ethos Foundation.

To enrol in the Free Workshops and to find out more about all aspects of the BSSB program visit www.bssb.org.au, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the program co-ordinator, Jan McGregor on 07 55333144.