Entries are now open for the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards, which are set to celebrate the achievements and considerable economic, social, and cultural contribution of the millions of small business operators from across the country.
Specifically highlighting the best of Australia’s small businesses in the retail, services, and manufacturing industries, 2024 marks the 26th consecutive year of the Awards which have always seen a significant number of NSW-based winners from regional and rural areas.
With more than 100 categories, including special spotlight categories such as Business of the Decade, Small Business Young Entrepreneur (aged 30 and younger), Small Business Entrepreneur (aged over 30) and the 2024 Growth Award, there’s bound to be Broken Hill small business winners in the mix.
Small businesses provide employment for 5.1 million Australians – nearly double that of big business – and account for one-third of Australia’s GDP (gross domestic product) meaning that small businesses continue to play an important role in local communities despite the current challenging economic environment.
“From high inflation and exceptional increases in operating expenses, to challenges associated with staff hire, productivity and the overall current high cost of living, there’s no disputing that Australian small businesses are currently doing it very tough,” says Australian Small Business Champion Awards Founder and small business owner, Steve Loe.
“It is often rightly said that small business is the backbone of the national economy. The millions of Australian small business operators ought to be honoured now more than ever before, not just for their economic contribution but also for their invaluable support of community-based initiatives and worthwhile causes that couldn’t overwise be supported so significantly.
“Even after more than two decades of presenting the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, I am still in absolute awe of the resilience and remarkable triumphs of our nation’s small business operators. It is truly a privilege to help shine a deserved spotlight on these small business champions.
“From regional and rural areas to the suburbs and capital cities, small business operators from all parts of the country are encouraged to enter the Awards – free of charge – as we strive to celebrate the people behind the small businesses that shape their local communities and our nation as a whole,” added Mr Loe.
