Happy to stay small

New research was released last month suggesting small and medium-sized business owners were happier than ever heading into a new financial year, a trend which is mirrored here in Southbank.

The Telstra-conducted research surveyed 1000 small and medium-sized businesses and showed that 72 per cent of business owners would be happy to start up again and 53 per cent said their business was their passion in life.

Some 88 per cent of business owners said they would spend either the same or more money on their business in the upcoming financial year.

Melbourne Combined Natural Therapies is one such small business and directors Phil Romeril and Dr Greg Bowers supported the theory, saying they had experienced strong growth over the last year and were excited about the future.

“We’ve at least doubled in the last year,” Dr Bowers said, adding: “Part of it has been because of this location.”

It was also clear the pair was much happier being in control of their own business.

“If it’s your own business, naturally you’ll be there longer and put in more than if you’re working to build someone elses business,” Mr Romeril said.

“Part of the reason I’ve got a business is so that I could have more control on who I was surrounded by. In business I think you should surround yourself with like-minded people to get the most out of the team as a whole,” Mr Romeril added.

Dr Bowers agreed, saying: “This space is exactly what I wanted to create … I’m very, very happy with what we’ve created here.”

Principal at Evolve, the real estate business on Queensbridge St, Gary Cakir is further proof that the report is accurate in Southbank.

He too was happy to be at the helm of a local company and was excited for the financial year ahead.

“With business you’ve always got to look forward. Throughout, you have to make steps in the right direction,” Mr Cakir said.

His senior property executive, Rebbecca Murray also pointed out that no matter the size of business, the key is being savvy in the marketplace.

“We look at what our competitors aren’t doing, rather than what they are, which I think is vitally important to any small business, no matter the industry,” Ms Murray said.