Come and join us on Wednesday 25 August at 5.30 pm at the launch event for the 2021 Top 50 Small Business Leaders Report that celebrates the achievements of outstanding leaders in the small-business sector in the face of the enormous challenges we have all faced in the last 18 months.
Courage in the face of adversity
This time last year I assumed the challenges of dealing with a global pandemic would be an “outlier” and that 12 months down the track we’d be celebrating businesses well on track to putting COVID behind them and benefitting from a resurgent global economy. Alas, that is far from the case – snap lockdowns are still with us – so it is even more remarkable that we had so many inspiring stories of small business leaders overcoming the challenges of the last 18 months to thrive from which to select this year’s Top 50.
Celebrating the diversity on the small-business sector
As always, those who did make the final cut represent an enthralling cross section of small businesses from a huge range of different fields, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to their clients, the communities in which they live and work, and to society at large – sustainability is a recurring theme with everyone who made the cut this year.
From free-range egg farmer Julie Kos and gluten-free doggy treat producer Ben Whyatt to innovative manufacturer of water-saving devices Nicole Gibson and furniture design guru David Light, our winners have demonstrated resilience, innovation and agility to ride the waves of the pandemic and lead their businesses forward to a brighter future.
A stellar line-up
Our MC for the event is Shura Taft, a Melbourne-based host and presenter who has plied his trade across TV, Radio and countless live events for close to two decades. Getting his start in television at Channel 9 in 2006, Shura has spent 16 years working to entertain audiences across the country. As an MC he has worked for brands such as Samsung, Mercedes Benz, AAMI, Swisse, Isuzu and more and has hosted large scale events such as the Australian Open, Fashions on the Field, Big Bash Cricket, Hawthorn Football Club home games and many launches and balls. Shura’s style is to bring class, fun, humour and professionalism to whatever event or show he is hosting.
Our guest speaker at the event is Genevieve Smart, the Founder and Creative Director of Australian fashion brand Ginger&Smart – a brand renowned for creating contemporary sustainable fashion. Genevieve is on the Advisory Council for Sydney Women’s Fund and the Advisory Council for Atelier Foundation of the Art Gallery New South Wales and Australian Parents for Climate Action.
We will also hear from four of this year’s Top 50, learning more about their businesses and how they have overcome the challenges COVID has thrown at them to not only survive but thrive, and stand out as leaders in their field.
I do hope you’ll be able to join us online on 25 August to celebrate the achievements of our 2021 Top 50 Small Business Leaders – you can register for free to join the festivities here.
