“As our business continues to grow in WA and the UK, NSW and QLD was an untapped market for us. The need to bring on admin staff and create additional business plans to facilitate this growth was the catalyst for us seeking business support and office space within Byron Shire which is when we heard about the Sourdough Innovation Hub” says Giles.
The Innovation Hub’s purpose is to grow ethical, sustainable and profitable businesses in the Byron Region. “Our mission is to create a culture that inspires, mentors and delivers successful business growth regionally. We are focussing on business already in a growth stage that demonstrate high potential growth and the ability to upscale.” Says Stuart Picken, Sourdough Business Pathways. “ASK Waste Management as an independent consultancy helping their clients achieve better environmental and commercial outcomes within the waste management industry, is a perfect example of this.”
To support its mission, the Innovation Hub provides short term, expandable, subsidised office space for businesses that have developed a product or service that can be marketed regionally, nationally or internationally.
The Innovation Hub provide programs to help its resident businesses meet their targets, including mentoring, coaching and access to relevant business resources. To inspire collaboration, innovation and growth the Hub also provides networking events, speakers and interactive, practical workshops. “Our series of eight interactive workshops are all created around addressing specific areas in business growth” says Stuart.
For Giles now residing in the Innovation Hub the fortnightly mentoring sessions have been invaluable in being accountable in creating and allowing the time to strategically work on the business as opposed to working in the business.
“After our initial sessions where Stuart took the time to understand our business model we are now working on some exciting opportunities and strategies targeting specific industries.”
“In addition to the invaluable business support provided through the Innovation Hub, it’s fantastic to be out of a home office and working in a vibrant space again with direct access to business workshops and resources to support our business growth .” continues Giles.