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The Business Compass Toolkit
Practical tools to help you know what to work on next
â without overwhelm.
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Not ready for a full course or guided program yet?
Youâre in the right place.
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The Business Compass Toolkit is a curated collection of practical resources designed to help small business owners pause, get clear, and move forward with confidence â exactly where youâre at.
These tools wonât tell you to do everything.
Theyâll help you decide what actually matters next.
Start small. Build confidence.
When youâre ready, the Your Business Compass Course brings it all together.
Small Business Tools & Workbooks
Practical resources to help you reset, simplify and move forward â at your own pace.
Not sure where to start? Begin with the free Strategy Guidebook.
Start with the Free GuidebookYour Business Startup Guide
Overwhelmed by the start-up process? This guide + checklist breaks down the critical first steps, so you stop chasing shiny objects and start building a sustainable foundation.
Get your organised, step-by-step guide now.
Download Now $39Your WHY & Brand Identity
Articles, e-books, and workbooks focused on helping you define and showcase your unique brand.
Listen to podcast episodes featuring successful branding stories and learn from the experts.
PODCAST: Building a Strong Brand Identity
Angela Pickett, a seasoned copywriter and SEO expert, chats about the essentials of brand identity.Â
From defining your brand's values to achieving a professional look, Angela shares actionable tips suitable for any small or micro business.Â
Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode has something for everyone.
BLOG:Â Why Are You Special? Lessons in Communicating your Value
Welcome to the world of business, where every entrepreneur embarks on a journey to stand out in a sea of competition. So how do you explain that you are special? That your products and services are unique?Â
Inspired by our lessons of Workspace Barossa and Makers & Merchants Barossa, we've even created a workbook to guide small businesses like yours uncover their unique identity and thrive in the market.
BLOG: Crafting a Standout Brand Identity
Angela Pickett, a copywriting expert and SEO guru, shares how to build a standout brand identity. Angela gives us great insights and practical tips to help your brand shine in a crowded market. Dive into the highlights of our conversation and learn how to create a memorable and authentic brand.
Get Financial Savvy
Guides on financial planning and management, including budgeting, forecasting, and risk assessment.
Explore case studies and success stories to build your financial acumen.
PODCAST: Creating a Sustainable Business Model
Join Shelley Cox as she chats with Johan Czanik, a cost accounting specialist, about creating sustainable business models.
Johan shares his expertise on financial clarity, managing cash flow, and the importance of budgets for small businesses and startups.
Discover practical tips, inspiring stories, and actionable insights to help you grow your business, boost your profits, and achieve financial freedom.
BLOG: Start Up Journey - What does starting a business look like?
The entrepreneurial journey typically begins with a spark of inspiration â a brilliant idea that ignites your passion and fuels your dreams!
However, amidst the thrill of possibility, there's also a sense of uncertainty and doubt.Â
Can I really make this work? Will people like my idea?Â
BLOG:Â What Will Make My Business Sustainable?
Running a small or micro-business is no small feat, especially in regional areas.Â
It requires vision, resilience, and a keen understanding of what keeps a business not just afloat but thriving over the long term.Â
Let's dive into some essential elements that can help make your business sustainable, drawing insights from our podcast episode with Johan Czanik, Your Number Man, and Shelley Cox, Founder of The Regional Collective.
Master your Marketing Strategies & Implementation
Get step-by-step marketing guides, templates, and resources to craft and execute effective marketing strategies. Learn from success stories and expert interviews.
PODCAST:Â Founders Stories with Leah Bartsch, Craft Make Do
In this episode Shelley chats with Leah Bartsch, the creative behind Craft Make Do. Leah shares her journey from starting a jewelry business to becoming a sought-after online business manager.
Discover how she transitioned from handmade accessories, selling at markets to teaching workshops, and the strategies she used to grow her online presence.
Build & Lead Your Team
Access resources on building and leading effective teams, fostering communication, and enhancing leadership skills.
Even if you're a solopreneur, you've still got a network around you!
Gain insights from regional business leaders.
PODCAST: Behind the Business - Leanna J Consulting
In this episode, Shelley Cox interviews HR Consultant Leanne Hasting on working well with others in our small businesses.
Leanne shares tips on overcoming collaboration challenges, improving communication, and fostering teamwork.
Gain insights on developing a growth mindset and effective delegation. Tune in for actionable advice and real-world examples.
BLOG: âBut what if I can't?â Cultivate your Growth Mindset for Business Success
Starting and running a small business is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and nerve-wracking ventures you can undertake!
As a small business owner, you wear many hats and face countless challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is often your mindset. Those nagging thoughts of "But what if I can't?" can hold you back from achieving your full potential.
However, as Leanne Hastings shares with us, cultivating a growth mindset can be the key to unlocking your success.
BLOG: From Idea to Launch Success: Barossa Body
In this inspiring interview, Narelle Lane, the creator and founder of Barossa Body, takes us through the ups and downs of her entrepreneurial journey.
From battling self-doubt to crafting unique skincare products, Narelle's story is a testament to determination and resourcefulness - which is truly inspiring to anyone embarking on a similar path.
âThe two biggest challenges I faced when starting my own business were believing in myself and backing myself in."
Streamline & Automate Your Processes
Discover tools and strategies to streamline your business operations, improve efficiency, and implement best practices.
Afterall, as business owners we don't have enough hours in the day - so we have to work smarter not harder!
Learn tips on automation and workflow optimisation
PODCAST: Looking Ahead: Setting Goals and Planning for Success
Join Shelley Cox and guest presenter Laura Mudge as they chat about the importance of setting goals and planning for success in small and micro businesses.
No matter the size or stage of your business, having clear, SMART goals can make a huge difference.Â
PODCAST:Â Exploring Your Next Big Idea
Get ready to unlock your next big idea with Anita Mariani from the Business-2-Business program at Regional Development Australia.
Join host Shelley Cox as they dive into practical strategies for small business owners to explore and execute their dreams.
From identifying opportunities to turning ideas into action, this episode is your guide to entrepreneurial success in our region.
BLOG:Â Time Management Woes
It seems like every small business ownerâs problem!
So how can we manage the overwhelm? Time management can be a real struggle for small and micro business owners.
Balancing your business, personal life, and creative pursuits can feel like juggling too many balls at once. In our latest podcast, we chat with Narelle Lane, founder of Barossa Body, who shares her journey and some great tips.Â
Reflect, Evolve &Â Be Kind to Yourself
As the saying goes - the only constant in life is CHANGE.
Find resources focused on continuous improvement, adaptability, and innovation.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey - and we know it can be a lonely one at times. Be inspired by stories of businesses that have successfully navigated challenges and evolved!
PODCAST:Â Behind the Business with Smudge Copywriting
Join us as we delve into inspiring Founder Stories with Laura Mudge, of Smudge Copywriting.
Discover her journey from a career in nursing, to startup ventures to successful businesses. All  filled with lessons on resilience, growth, and perseverance in regional entrepreneurship.
PODCAST:Â Behind the Business with Crane Creative
Join us as we explore the world of social media for small businesses with our special guest, Kat Crane from Crane Creative.
From her beginnings in hospitality, to social media management, we hear how Kat has pivoted her branding and tailored her business to her strengths.Â
Get ready for practical tips and insightful discussions that will transform your approach to social media marketing.
BLOG: Getting on with it (aka Life as a Business Owner)...is hard.
What keeps us going?
How do we continue to show up, create new things, think strategically and be productive?
Hey there fellow business peeps. I've been a qualified winemaker for 20 years, a business owner for the past 5 years, and a mother to three gorgeous humans over the span of 12 years.
So I carry a lot of understanding and empathy on how hard it is to keep going sometimes. Read on...