The BizConnect Maroondah Business Breakfast Series provides networking opportunities for businesses within the municipality and features prominent speakers, who discuss the experiences they have had within their business.

This morning’s speaker was Kristina Karlsson, who formed stationery label kikki.K after identifying a gap in the market for stylish but practical stationery products. Kristina now has 25 retail boutiques within Australia and New Zealand, as well as a prominent online store and web presence.

As the Mayor, I had the pleasure of launching the BizConnect Maroondah Business Breakfast Series, as well as introducing new businesses into Maroondah. Please continue reading to view a copy of the speech delivered during the breakfast:

Welcome to the first of our ‘BizConnect Maroondah Business Breakfast Series’ for 2010.

Maroondah City Council, in the spirit of reconciliation, acknowledges that we are meeting on the land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

We accept, respect and have shared with the Wurundjeri people in their customs of welcome.

The Wurundjeri people support the coming together of all people, respecting their individuality, to focus on a unified and cohesive nation.

I would like to acknowledge the presence here of David Hodgett, the Member for Kilsyth, as well as two of my fellow Councillors, Cr. Nora Lamont and Cr. Rob Steane.

And a special welcome to Maroondah City Council’s new CEO Frank Dixon, l’m sure l speak for us all in wishing you well in your first week at Maroondah.

As the Mayor of Maroondah, I am always pleased to see local businesses take advantage of events like this morning so we can talk about and promote what their business has to offer. In challenging economic times, establishing new networks with other local businesses, has a significant impact on the local job market and the overall wellbeing of our community – so I commend you all for joining us here this morning.

The renewal and expansion of business skills is also critical to success and I am pleased to announce this morning that the full program for Council’s 2010 Business Training workshops and Networking Events has been released.

This year, you can learn how to:

• Start a new business
• Improve your marketing prospects;
• Manage your cashflow more efficiently;
• Develop a Business Plan;
• Find out how Social Media can help your business;
• and shed some light on Tax Issues

Next month, Council will host its second ‘Eastern Women’s Business Forum’ on Wednesday 17th March, in conjunction with Knox City Council, Shire of Yarra Ranges and the Bendigo Bank. This event will showcase three inspirational local businesswomen who will share their stories, keys to success and the challenges they have overcome in running their own business.

As always, you can find the full details of this year’s program on the BizMaroondah website www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

I would also like to remind you of our “Welcoming New Businesses to Maroondah” program. This initiative recognises and promotes new businesses who have recently formed within the municipality. In fact some of our newest businesses are here this morning and I encourage you to meet each other and expand your networks.

Our aim is that this program will not only provide added publicity for new businesses, exposing them to new clients, but also congratulate new businesses and operators who have chosen Maroondah as their trading location. Once again, full details can be found on the BizMaroondah website, www.bizmaroondah.com.au.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our 2010 Sponsors of the Business Breakfast series:

• Denso Automotive Systems Australia;
• ANZ Bank;
• Hutchinson Legal; and
• RACV Business Insurance, who are our host sponsors here this morning.

Please join me in thanking these local companies for their continued support.

And on that note, welcome to the first Maroondah City Council breakfast for 2010, and please enjoy your morning.