Text me your thoughts

I’ve always thought that the best business ideas come from noticing something that’s missing in the world. Something important and necessary. Simone Eyles did just that. She noticed that the media and marketing channels are seriously light on for imagery and representation of people living with a disability so she got to work, putting her entrepreneurial brain and her big heart into this new and exciting venture.

I hope you get to the end of this episode and see what I see in what Simone is building in Disinfluencer, a business dedicated to empowering people with disabilities and helping businesses embrace inclusion.

Find Disinfluencer online and on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to connect with Simone and tell her I sent you.

Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit online where you can get in touch.

The Small Town Business Podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their Elders; past and present.

Audio production by Laura at Podcast Support Services.

Text me your thoughts

When crisis hits your town or your business, it’s hard to know where to start. This episode is packed with practical ideas to prepare for disaster or down time, but also advice on what to do and how to approach marketing and promotion when things are not ‘business as usual’.

Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit online where you can get in touch.

The Small Town Business Podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their Elders; past and present.

Audio production by Laura at Podcast Support Services.

Text me your thoughts

Andy McCarthy is an entrepreneur, best known for building a renewable energy business from a tiny town called Mirboo North in South Gippsland Victoria. He later sold his company ‘Gippsland Solar’ to the RACV but he hasn’t lost his passion for renewables.

Andy now delivers keynote speeches, leadership training and workshops, and advises businesses, government and regulators on policy, strategy and authentic leadership.

He also recently published a memoir called ‘Here Comes the Sun’. He’s a husband, a father of a handful of very energetic boys and alongside all of that, he’s an active member of his local community.

Despite that list it’s that last point that we focus on in this episode.

In early 2024, Andy’s home town was rocked by a freak and incredibly destructive storm. What the town did next has been fascinating to watch and I think a lot of small towns can learn from their experience.

If you’d like to find out more about Andy, you can grab his book here or find him on LinkedIn.

Also mentioned in this episode was The Mirboo North and District Community Foundation, The Gippsland Community Leadership Program, TAFE Gippsland, South Gippsland Shire Council, Sikh Volunteers Australia, Mirboo North Op Shop,


Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit online where you can get in touch.

The Small Town Business Podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their Elders; past and present.

Audio production by Laura at Podcast Support Services.

Text me your thoughts

I’m sure we’ve all been there - seen a sign on a window or a post in a local facebook group with that ‘business for sale’ headline. It starts you thinking…what if??

In this episode I’ve pulled together five key things to consider, to look out for, to plan for if you’re thinking of buying an established business or, if you already have.

There are more things to consider but here are my five:

Brand reputation and identity
Marketing assets
Staff
Supply chain
Business plan and/or strategy

Let me know if this episode inspires you to get started or to strengthen the business you’re in right now - in your small town.
Mentioned in this episode is String + Salt and The New Red.

Erika McInerney is the founder of Mac&Ernie - specialising in social media and marketing training for small business, community organisations and leaders in regional and rural areas.

Find out more about Mac&Ernie or head to Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn for loads of free tips and smart, authentic marketing advice.

Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit us online.

The Small Town Business podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their Elders; past and present.

Audio production by Laura at Podcast Support Services.

Text me your thoughts

Kate Toon is a multi award winning entrepreneur, author and speaker. In the circles I work in, she’s well known for her commonsense approach to complex beasts like SEO and digital marketing. And then in 2024, out of the blue, she bought her local bookshop and has shared her journey with refreshing honesty.

Kate is not technically from a small town, but she is in a small community and strip of retail shops that functions a bit like a small town - anyone listening from a suburb that has something like this will understand what I mean.

Kate has a lot of great advice to share about what it’s like buying an established business - what to look out for and some of the hurdles she’s jumped and I highly recommend connecting with her on one or more of her own channels because she’s very generous with her time and smarts and also good fun.

Find the Umina Beach Book Nook on Instagram or Facebook and check out Kate and all the things she does on her website here.

Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit online where you can get in touch.

The Small Town Business Podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their Elders; past and present.

Audio production by Laura at Podcast Support Services.

Text me your thoughts

How do you grow a thriving business in a small town, regional or rural area? One way is to learn from others and this podcast is a great place to do just that.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make big things happen in a regional or rural area, you’re in the right place. I’m sharing exciting updates about Small Town Business, what’s coming up in Season 2, and why you’re going to want to tune in.

I’ve been busy interviewing incredible business owners who are making waves in their small towns. People with big ideas, smart strategies, and inspiring stories that you can learn from. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, real-world insights, and a notebook full of possibilities to help you grow your business and make an impact in your community.

Season 2 kicks off on April 7, and I can’t wait to get back to connecting with you!

In the meantime, catch up on past episodes, and make sure to hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.

Got a business story to share? Let’s chat! Connect with me over on Instagram @smalltownbusiness_podcast and tell me what’s happening in your small town.

Text me your thoughts

Alex Thomas is a rural health and safety specialist and advocate for safety and wellbeing in regional and rural areas - especially on farms. In this episode she tells us her very personal ‘why’ and why she’s so passionate about this topic. She has chosen women to help her in her mission through her organisation ‘Plant a Seed for Safety’ and campaign #SaveALifeListenToYourWife and it’s such a great story, I’m sure you’ll love it!

Make sure you go and check out what she’s up to on her website or follow along on Instagram and Facebook. You can book Alex to run workshops in your town, grab the very cool conversation-starting shirts or sponsor this life-changing program - just get in touch with her to find out how.

Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit us online.

The Small Town Business podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their elders; past, present and emerging.

Audio production by Jetstreamer.

🌱 This episode is proudly sponsored by Visit Gippsland, the land of many wonders. Plan a trip via their interactive website at www.visitgippsland.com.au, or be inspired on Instagram or Facebook.

Text me your thoughts

Sometimes to make a treechange you have to leave your career behind and start something new. There are so many pros to building a local business - especially to support your lifestyle or family goals, if commuting back and forth to the nearest City just isn’t possible. In this episode, I take some of the tips I’ve gotten from other local businesses, to help you start something before you’ve even left your City home. What steps can you be taking right now to increase your chance of starting your new business from a position of strength? To have customers lining up before you open the doors. To build community and a network of supporters that will connect you into your new town?

Let me know if this episode inspires you to get started or to strengthen the business you’re in right now - in your small town.

Erika McInerney is the founder of Mac&Ernie - specialising in social media and marketing training for small business, community organisations and leaders in regional and rural areas.

Find out more about Mac&Ernie or head to Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn for loads of free tips and smart, authentic marketing advice.

Join the Small Town Business conversation on Instagram or Facebook or visit us online.

The Small Town Business podcast was recorded on the lands of the GunaiKurnai and I wish to pay my respects to their elders; past, present and emerging.

Audio production by Jetstreamer.

🌱 This episode is proudly sponsored by Visit Gippsland, the land of many wonders. Plan a trip via their interactive website at www.visitgippsland.com.au, or be inspired on Instagram or Facebook.