A Katoomba hostel has received vital post-bushfire help from a Melbourne social media specialist through a free online small business help program which has urged other businesses to seek help too.
While evidence is being heard at the Bushfire Royal Commission of the devastation from the fires, Help A Small Biz founder Renae Hanvin, has urged small Blue Mountains businesses directly and indirectly affected by the 2019-20 bushfires to ask for help.
Help A Small Biz is a free online platform which pairs small businesses in need with others offering compatible goods, skills or services support.
Ms Hanvin said: "It's easy to feel discarded and overlooked and that the world has moved on from the devastation of the bushfires, but we haven't - we're still here for you," she said.
"While the COVID-19 situation is awful and there's no denying it's immeasurable impact on the nation, much is being done by governments to address that economic situation."
"Meanwhile, bushfire-impacted businesses and communities are still struggling with the aftermath of that disaster. We are still hearing of many who are falling through the funding gaps."
"Shaken by the ferocity of this fire season", Melbourne social media strategist Brendan Keogh has been a lifeline to Katoomba's 14 Lovel St hostel more than 800km across state borders.
He was connected to Katoomba's 14 Lovel St hostel through the free Help a Small Biz program which matched small businesses directly and indirectly impacted by the bushfires with "buddies" to help them recommence trade and thrive.
In January, 14 Lovel St owners Gavin and Annette Blake were faced with no immediate bookings, a 35 per cent dip in forward bookings and 52 per cent drop in income as an impact of the bushfires.
Located near popular tourist attractions such as Scenic World, Leura Mall and the Three Sisters, 14 Lovel St is several kilometres from bushland and nowhere near bushfire-affected areas.
Yet, like every tourism business in the region, the century-old hostel experienced a sharp downturn in visitors (even before COVID-19 travel bans wiped out tourism completely). Tourists wrongly assumed the heavy smoke which choked Sydney also blanketed the Blue Mountains.
"It's not all black dirt and black stumps and the occasional bit of hope," Ms Blake said. "We are untouched in this bubble."
The Blakes were matched to Mr Keough, who helped them with social media and content.
"It was a privilege to be able to help a small business in some small way to get back on their feet; they are so important to the health of communities," he said.
He worked to increase their profile, particularly on Instagram, increasing the frequency and consistency of posts and recommended they target Sydney weekenders and "extend invitations directly to activity groups or clubs in Sydney and let them know they could book out their entire venue for their next meeting or group weekend getaway".
He also encouraged them to capture shots of walking/riding trails to showcase that the region's natural beauty was as pristine as ever and to feature travellers who agreed to share their stories of the wonderful experience of small boutique regional accommodation.
"We will need to deal with more intense and devastating disasters of all types as the planet continues to warm. And the simple fact is we can't rely on governments alone - these challenges require a community-wide response. It may be you who needs some support down the track.''
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said initiatives such as Help a Small Biz gave small businesses struggling to stay open after the bushfires the extra support they needed to "get on with running their business".
The program is funded by the National Australia Bank under its community grants program. Email helpasmallbiz@corporate2community.com
