Local businesses are collaborating to get small businesses back on track after the bushfires.
Women with Altitude, Western Sydney Business centre, Blue Mountains City Council and local business chambers are working together to present two free events - in Springwood on February 17 at the Springwood Sports Club and at the Katoomba RSL on February 24.
Called From Surviving to Thriving, it will provide support and resources for businesses in the aftermath of the fires.
Strategies to ensure your business weathers the storm include offering business advisors to help with individual business challenges; local agencies and governments' response and what is available for business in terms of support and access; mental health support to deal with uncertainty and trauma that can impact your business; as well as networking, collaborating and support from other business owners.
John Todd, CEO of Western Sydney Business centre and chair of the Business Enterprise Centres Australia was keen to connect businesses with advisors and experts who can help with recovery strategies.
Women with Altitude director, Andrea Turner-Boys, has spearheaded these events.
"Small business is hard," Ms Turner-Boys said.
"We want to expand and employ people and have a thriving business, but when these kinds of things happen, many of us are not prepared and it knocks us about. Its really important to collaborate and seek some help and advice."
The events are being sponsored by the local venues.
Special guests include Caitlin Hepworth who lost her home and her business in the 2013 bushfires; business advisor Michelle Locke and mental health resilience specialist Bill Carson.
A gold coin donation is the entry fee with all proceeds to the mayoral community fund.
The events are open to all sized businesses. Go to www.womenwithaltitude.com.au or call 1300 036 615. The evening events run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. An event will also be held in Bilpin on February 18.
