Welcome Message
Steve Loe
AWARDS FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRECEDENT PRODUCTIONS
It is my great pleasure to invite you to the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards, the country's premier small business awards program. Building on the tremendous success of the award's 25th anniversary presentation, this year's program serves as a fitting way to recognise your business on a national level, acknowledging the vision and commitment so many small businesses across the country display.
I am still in awe of what small business can achieve and know how important it is to highlight the significant contribution you make to the Australian economy. We continue to see an array of successful businesses enter the awards, and we hope to see your business success highlighted in 2024.
If you are an owner or manager of an Australian small business, I believe it is your time to be acknowledged and recognised. I look forward to meeting you at the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards gala event, as we continue to share and celebrate your stories that shape Australia.
Stacey Hollandss, Lust Mineral
2023 Small Business Champion Entrepreneur
"Achieving the title of the 2023 Australian Small Business Champion Entrepreneur was an immense privilege, and it fills me with great pride.
This acknowledgement serves as a testament to the commitment and hard work that both my team and I have wholeheartedly invested in, nurturing the wonderful community we've built at Lust Minerals. Our community is at the heart of everything we do, and without their support, this journey wouldn't have been possible.
This recognition has inspired me to continue to strive to make a positive difference, and having the opportunity to connect through these awards with so many other Small Business Entrepreneurs was invaluable.
Thank you again to Steve and the Precedent Productions Team for this incredible opportunity".
Mo Hamdouna, Mo Works
2023 Small Business Champion Entrepreneur
"Receiving the title of Champion Entrepreneur at the 2023 Australian Small Business Awards was a truly inspiring moment. As an immigrant with a distinct accent, surrounded by over a thousand attendees and 20+ finalists, I never expected to win. Simply being among the finalists filled me with pride.
This award holds immense personal and professional significance. It reflects the value of diverse backgrounds and international experiences, as well as the dedication of my passionate team. I'm deeply grateful to the Australian Small Business Champion Awards for this recognition, which enhances Mo Works' credibility and strengthens our commitment to making a positive impact."
Our Sponsors
(Select a sponsor below to view details)
Truelocal
A trusted source of Australian business listings since 2006, TrueLocal.com.au is an online business directory and business review website, mobile site and iPhone app. With an average of 5.7 million unique visitors a month, carrying out 3.3 million searches*, TrueLocal helps millions of Australians find and connect with great services, like yours, in their local area.
TrueLocal enhance engagement through search results based on relevance and location, detailed descriptions, ratings, reviews, photos and maps. Businesses can enhance their listing on TrueLocal to create a strong, optimised online presence with a unique URL. Having a TrueLocal listing is a great way to boost your business profile in search engines and is an effective part of an overall SEO strategy.
*TrueLocal Omniture analytics May 2014. Unique visitors is defined as a visitor who visits a site for the first time within a specified time period (in this case, a month).
Bizcover
BizCover is an online insurance service that simplifies comparing and buying insurance so small businesses can benefit from transparent pricing, a fast hassle-free experience and the right cover.
We've partnered with Australia's leading insurers to provide you with multiple insurance quotes within minutes and the ability to buy the best policy instantly online. Our friendly service team is just a call away to answer any queries or help you through the purchase process. They'll even assist you with a claim because your small business is big business to us. With a 98% satisfaction rating, it's no wonder thousands of small businesses have already chosen BizCover for their hassle-free insurance. Visit bizcover.com.au to click compare and get covered.
Professional Indemnity
Public Liability
Business Insurance
Management Liability
Cyber Insurance
For more information visit http://www.bizcover.com.au/
Castaway
Castaway is a high level financial forecasting and budgeting analysis software program built to service your business.
With Castaway you can Budget and Forecast with confidence. Create high level budgets in a matter of minutes!
Profit & Loss
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Funds Flow Statement
Peak Borrowings
Chart Dashboards
Ratios & Statistics
Supporting Schedules & Summary Information
Frontline
Frontline Is Australia's Most Successful Retail Group
FrontLine's main objective is to provide RETAILERS and SUPPLIERS with a competitive business advantage, achieved through the collective association of its members. Their member stores vary from small boutiques to significant department stores. FrontLine assists all members to achieve a better way of doing business, including consolidating accounts and invoices and delivering significant savings on the most basic of business costs.
FrontLine is a not for commercial profit group, owned by independent retailers who trade in diverse business categories including menswear, ladies wear, children's wear, street wear/urban wear, manchester & homewares, bedding and furniture, footwear, saddlery & western, outdoors, sports & leisure, camping & fishing.
Key Person of Influence
Expand your brand in 2015
Last year, thanks to the support of some of Australia's most trusted names in small business, over 2000 entrepreneurs have strapped some serious horsepower to their business or idea by participating in a unique one day "Brand Accelerator".
These one day events are being presented once again and we invite you to consider attending
Live in Sydney - Date TBC
This 8 hour strategy day features some of Australia's top entrepreneurs and industry leaders as speakers; it showcases real life success stories and case studies that you can model and it's custom built for service based business owners.
If you want to build your brand, commercialise your value and make a name for yourself in your industry, then invest a day to work ON your business or idea with respected experts.
Overview
About the Awards
Entries may only be completed online.
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is a prestigious and comprehensive program that supports and recognises small businesses across Australia.
Offering a unique opportunity to highlight Australia's most outstanding small businesses, the awards seek to recognise the hard work that business owners contribute to the local community in generating employment for millions of Australians, as well as their contribution to the Australian economy.
The awards are the pinnacle of business success. They recognise the values associated with successful businesses.
Background
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards originated in 1999 as the NSW Small Business Champion of Champion Awards, which were successful in recognising the most outstanding businesses from the state of New South Wales. In 2007, the program expanded to recognise the achievements of outstanding small businesses from all states and territories across Australia, and the Australian Small Business Champions Awards program was conceived.
Developed and managed by Precedent Productions, a small business in its own right with 30 years experience in managing successful awards programs, the Australian Small Business Champions Awards have grown into the flagship program recognising Australian Small Business excellence.
| Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Entries Open | 13-11-2023 |
| Entries Close | 15-02-2024 |
| Finalists announced on website | 19-03-2024 |
| Presentation Dinner ticket RSVP | 19-03-2024 |
| National Presentation Evening | Friday 12th April 2024 Saturday 13th April 2024 |
| Winners announced on website | 15-04-2024 |
How it works
How it Works
Eligible small businesses from around Australia are required to complete and submit an Awards Entry, consisting of a series of questions which evaluate their standards of excellence and overall success.
Award Entries may only be completed online.
Entries must be completed in accordance with the terms and conditions and submitted by the closing date to be considered as an award entrant.
Following the close of Entries, Finalists will be selected based on the content provided in the awards Entry Form, and notified of their success via mail. All entrants do not automatically become finalists.
National finalists will compete with businesses in their category across Australia and the winners being named at the gala presentation evening.
Eligibility
The awards are open to all small businesses in Australia within the retail, service and manufacturing industries. In order to be eligible to enter, the business must be a:
Retail or Service Business with 40 employees or less*
Manufacturing Business with 100 employees or less*
** Eligibility is based on the number of equivalent full-time positions within the business. (80 staff who work half a week each, is equal to 40 full time positions).
Judging
Judging
The judges are representatives from a variety of industries who have relevant experience or an understanding of the operations of a small business.
Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.
Judging is assessed on: the responses to the Awards Criteria questions located within the entry form, additional supporting documentation that may be attached as a PDF as part of your entry.
The outcome of each business' assessment will determine the Australian Small Business Champion winners.
Businesses are judged only within one award category. If an entrant selects more than one category, judges have the right to determine the most applicable category without notification or consultation.
Judges reserve the right to transfer a business into another category if they believe an entrant would be more appropriately assessed in that category.
Entrepreneur Judging
Two Entrepreneur categories will be presented:
- Small Business Champion Entrepreneur (Over 30 years)
- Young Small Business Champion Entrepreneur (30 years and under)
Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.
Judges will be looking at each applicant's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regards to managing challenges.
The outcome of each entrepreneur assessment will determine the national category winners.
Business Growth Award Judging
The Awards Criteria AND Business Growth Award Criteria must be completed for judges to be able to assess each application.
Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.
Judges will be looking at each applicant's approach to achieving excellence in small business growth and generating a more profitable business through systems that lead to improved customer service and product innovation.
Business of the Decade Award
The Awards Criteria AND Business of the Decade Award Criteria must be completed for judges to be able to assess each application.
Judges will shortlist the entrants into finalists. The number of finalists will depend on the quality and quantity of entrants for each category. Not all entrants will become finalists.
Terms & Conditions
- To be eligible to enter the awards, your business must first comply with either of the following: Retail or Service business with 40 employees or less - Manufacturing business with 100 employees or less.
- Eligibility is based on the number of equivalent full-time positions within the business. E.g., 30 staff who work half a week each, is equal to 15 full-time positions.
- Businesses may enter in only one award category and the optional Entrepreneur, Growth and Business of the Decade categories.
- Businesses in the New Business category must be in operation for less than 2 years.
- If an entrant selects more than one category judges have the right to determine the most applicable category without notification or consultation.
- Entries may be transferred without notification or consultation to another category if the judges believe an entrant would be more appropriately assessed in that category.
- Judges have the right to either create additional categories or delete categories, depending on entries received.
- A judging panel from a variety of industries will judge all entries.
- Judges have the right to either accept or decline entries as finalists and this will be determined by an initial grading of entries.
- All judges score sheets and notes will be destroyed on the determination of finalists and winners. Judge's comments are confidential and will not be disclosed.
- The decision of the judging panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Unsuccessful and successful Finalists will be notified via email.
- Businesses must operate in Australia and hold a current ABN number.
- Entries are catalogued and are treated in confidence.
- Information provided by the business may be used for promotional purposes. Information that is confidential must be clearly marked.
- Award Partners and Precedent Productions have access to the entire finalist database and may use this at their discretion. You must notify in writing to Precedent Productions should you require your information be kept confidential.
- In the situation of a change in business name, every effort will be made to accommodate, however, there will be no guarantees due to the program's requirements.
- Entries must be provided via the online entry form.
- Entries will not be accepted via email.
- Once entries have been received, information cannot be changed or added.
- Precedent Productions and the Partners of the awards accept no liability regarding any loss of patent rights or commercial returns arising from participating in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards.
- The Young Entrepreneur must be 30 years of age and under to be eligible.
- Entry is free.
- Precedent Productions takes no responsibility for the publishing of information in media outlets and websites.
- All entries must include a photograph for each category entered.
- Winners will be announced at the presentation evening and the trophy only be accepted on stage by the owners or managers of the business.
- Should a winning business be unavailable to attend the presentation evening, the Champions trophy will be available to be collected at your cost from the Precedent Productions office within two weeks of the presentation evening. Alternatively, a cost of $250.00 will be incurred for the postage + handling of the winning trophy and promotional material.
Categories
Listed below are examples to assist in selecting a category that best represents your business.
Champion Professional Services, Trades & B2B -
Friday 12th April
| Category Name | Examples |
| Accounting | Accounting firms, taxation agents |
| Accounting Bookkeeping Services | Bookkeepers |
| Agricultural Services | Farmers, packaging of primary products, support services, farming equipment |
| Business Services | Business to business services, sign writers, printers, publishing, office fit outs |
| Business Coaching | Business coaches |
| Business Consultancy | Business consultants |
| Educational Services | Tutoring, life coaching, industry training, first aid training, trade education, driving schools, swim schools |
| Environmental Business | Any business with a focus on environmental sustainability. |
| Financial Services | Mortgage broker, lending services |
| Health Improvement Services | Massage therapists, occupational therapy, acupuncture and alternative therapy |
| Home & Garden Improvement | Gardeners, furniture shops, furniture design, Garden products, trees, shrubs, fertilisers and garden tools |
| Landscapers | Landscapers |
| Allied Health | Qualified health practitioners who work to care for patients mental and physical health within a range of settings, including hospitals, private practice, community health and in-home care, Chiropractors, Speech Pathology, Podiatry |
| Dental Services | Dentists, orthodontists, cosmetic dentistry |
| Doctors Surgery | General practitioners, surgeries, home doctors |
| Optometrist | Experts in eye health and eye conditions. |
| Personal Counselling | Counsellors, Psychotherapists |
| Physiotherapy | Experts in human body and movement including sports injuries. |
| Psychology | Experts in human mind and behaviour including mental health. |
| Builder / Renovations | Builder, granny flats, building renovations / additions |
| Bathroom Improvement | Bathroom renovation, bathroom products, wholesale and retail |
| Kitchen improvement | Kitchen renovation, kitchen products, wholesale and retail |
| Industrial Business | Manufacturing, storage, service and repair activities |
| Information Technology | Communications, software development |
| Web Development | Web/digital design and improvement |
| Legal Services | Lawyers, intellectual property, solicitors and barristers, legal services |
| Conveyancers | Legal work for property lease or purchase |
| Manufacturing | Raw materials are transformed into finished goods - including food, beauty, building products, accessories. |
| Marketing Services | Marketing, public relations, branding, graphic design, advertising services, direct mail, corporate video production |
| Digital Marketing | Agency using internet and online digital technologies including social media for marketing and SEO. |
| Migration Services | Emergency relief for migrants, Family and domestic violence financial assistance |
| NDIS Provider | A person, business or organisation who delivers NDIS funded supports to participants. |
| New Service Business | Service businesses must be in operation for less than 2 years at the time of awards entries closing date. |
| Professional Medical Services | Qualified professionals conducting services directly related to the profession of the practice of medicine. |
| Professional Services | Architects, ISO certification, research |
| Services | Excavation, sanitation, home services, pool services |
| Cleaning Services | Cleaning companies residential and commercial |
| Disability Support Services | Providers of services and support for people living with disability. |
| Photography | Photographers, Videographers |
| Removalists | Removalists, residential and/or commercial. |
| Social Enterprise Business | Any business that applies strategies to maximise improvements in financial, social and environmental wellbeing. |
| Services Sole Operator | Any business that is owned and operated by a single individual and do not have staff. |
| Specialised Small Business | Any business that specialises in industry services. |
| Tattoo Artist | Tattoo studio, tattoo artist |
| Trade Services | Tilers, renderers, carpenters, cabinet makers, waterproofing, surveyors, arborists |
| Electrical Business | Electricians, residential and/or commercial. |
| Painters | Painters, residential and/or commercial. |
| Plumbing Services | Plumbers, residential and/or commercial. |
| Pest Control | Pest control, animal removal |
| Transport and Logistics | Transport companies, warehousing and distribution, shipping management, freight forwarding |
| Additional Awards (Optional) | |
| Business of the Decade | Must demonstrate a successful track record of excellence and achievement over a 10-year period |
| Young Entrepreneur (30 years and under) | Award for an individual's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges |
| Entrepreneur | Award for an individual's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges |
| Growth Award | Achieve excellence in growth and generating a more profitable business through systems that lead to improved customer service and product innovations |
Champion Consumer & Retail Small Businesses -
Saturday 13th April
| Category Name | Examples |
| Arts, Crafts & Gifts | Artists, craft store, gift store, pottery, embroidery, textile crafts, galleries, crystal, and spiritual stores |
| Automotive Services | Petrol stations, tyre fitters, car detailing, automotive accessories, batteries, upholstery, audio, rentals |
| Automotive Mechanical Repairs | Mechanics, auto electrical |
| Automotive Smash Repairs | Panel beaters, spray painters, spare parts, wreckers |
| Cake Shop / Patisserie | Cake shops, patisseries, celebration cakes, wholesale and retail |
| Bakery | Bread and bakery shop, wholesale and retail |
| Home Specialty Cakes | At home cake baking business for celebrations. |
| Beauty & Skincare Services | Beauty salon, day spa, laser/cosmetic, spray tans, hair removal |
| Beauty & Lifestyle Product | Beauty products, skin care products, hair care products, body care and perfumes |
| Brows & Lashes | Eyebrow and eyelash services |
| Cosmetic Specialist | Cosmetic injectables, Cosmetic aesthetics |
| Make-up Artist | Make-up studio, mobile make-up artist |
| Nail Artist | Nail salon, mobile nail artists |
| Butcher | Butcher wholesale and retail |
| Café | Café, coffee shop, coffee bar, casual dining |
| Children's Services | Children's entertainment, children's health and sporting |
| Children's Educational Services | Children's tutoring, children's swimming schools, children's educational programs |
| Copywriting Business | Copywriters |
| Early Childhood Services | Daycare, long daycare, family daycare, services |
| Event Management | Businesses that plan and organise promotional business and social events. |
| Fashion | Men's fashion, women's fashion, children's fashion, formal wear, dress hire, boutiques, stylists |
| Fashion Designer | Fashion experts who create original clothing and accessories. |
| Fast Food/Takeaway Shop | Hamburger shops, fish & chips, takeaway franchises, sandwich shops, kebab shops, pizza takeaway, ice-cream and gelato shops, bubble tea |
| Fitness Services | Personal trainers, outdoor fitness, health and wellbeing, fitness coach/mentoring, pole dancing, yoga, pilates |
| Gym | A complex providing exercise and strength training equipment |
| Martial Arts | Martial arts academy, self defence |
| Florist | Flower shops, flower deliveries, wholesale and retail |
| Fresh Food | Fruit & vegetable shops, seafood outlets, deli and gourmet food, food subscription services, farmers market |
| Hairdressers | Hairdressers, stylists, hair bars, mobile hairdressers |
| Barbers | Specialise in men's haircuts and styling |
| Health Food Business | Wholesalers or retailers of health food products. |
| Interior Design | Experts who make interior spaces functional, safe and beautiful. |
| Indigenous Business | Any business that is 50 per cent or more Indigenous owned. |
| Jeweller | Jewellers, diamond traders, jewellery design |
| New Retail Business | Retail businesses must be in operation for less than 2 years at the time of awards entries closing date. |
| Performing Arts | Acting schools, magicians, entertainment agencies |
| Dance Studio | Studios that teach dance for all ages, ballet schools, performance studios |
| Music Tuition | Music schools, music tuition |
| Pet Services | Animal training, pet accessories, pet cremation, Pet Minding/Walking |
| Pet Groomers | Pet groomers |
| Veterinarian | Veterinarians |
| Pharmacy | Chemist shops, compounding chemists |
| Real Estate | Real estate agents |
| Buyer's Agent | Home buyer's agent, purchasing agents |
| Strata Management | Strata management, body corporate management, property management |
| Recruitment Services | Recruitment agencies, work placement |
| Restaurant | Fine dining, casual and family restaurants. |
| Specialised Retail Small Business | Any retail business that operates as a shop front offering products. |
| Retail Sole Operator | Any retail business that is owned and operated by a single individual and do not have staff. |
| Online Business | Businesses that have no physical shopfront and sell products in an online capacity. |
| Sport and Recreation Business | Sports, camping, recreation business |
| Tourism | Hotels, accommodation, tour operators, bed and breakfast, souvenir shops |
| Travel Agency | Travel agents, travel consultants |
| Wedding Services | Bridal wear, dress design, wedding planners, wedding mc, venues, wedding car hire |
| Additional Awards (Optional) | |
| Business of the Decade | Must demonstrate a successful track record of excellence and achievement over a 10-year period. |
| Young Entrepreneur (30 years and under) | Award for an individual's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges. |
| Entrepreneur | Award for an individual's approach to the business, together with their achievements and attitudes in regard to managing challenges. |
| Growth Award | Achieve excellence in growth and generating a more profitable business through systems that lead to improved customer service and product innovations. |
