The August Small Business Festival is upon us and Maribyrnong City Council are running a number of workshops and events for business savvy people throughout the month of August.
Our first event was the Business Networking Breakfast held on 4 August with guest speaker Monique Milenkovic from The Cupcake Queens. Her insights and wisdom about doing business inspired all. More about this event in the newsletter.
In this edition, we celebrate local Business T. Cavallaro and Sons, a traditional Italian patisserie located in Footscray that turns 60 years old this month.
We hope you enjoy the August edition of Maribyrnong Business Bulletin.
The City Business Team
Maribyrnong City Council
August Small Business Festival Events
Wednesday 10 August 6 p.m.
Game Changers conversation: Collaboration and Incubation with Dr. Alan Finkel
Join Alan Kohler in conversation with Australia’s Chief Scientist and entrepreneur, Dr Alan Finkel, AO, to explore the role of collaboration and incubators in fostering innovation and new enterprise development.
Do you want to hear how to develop your idea into a business? What do you then need to do to move from hobby to business? Every day we hear about new businesses that have started with little or no capital. Want to know more about your options?
Effective Business for Under 30's: Start up to Success
This session is for younger people who are looking to create and run a business. The session will cater for the variety of challenges that people under 30 who are new to the business sector face in starting a business.
Creative Industry - Speed Mentoring and Networking Session
Pitch your idea to a panel of Creative Industry experts and peers and receive crucial feedback for you to take the next step in your venture. This three-hour speed mentorship will give selected participants the opportunity to workshop their projects; receive feedback, advice and support from a high calibre panel of Creative Industry experts.
The Biannual Business Networking Breakfast was held on Thursday 4 August 2016.
Over 100 business owners attended the breakfast and were treated to an inspiring and motivating speech by The Cupcake Queens Founding Director Monique Milenkovic.
Monique shared how she started a home based business that grew to the biggest cupcake empire in Australia, and had lots of handy and useful tips for businesses wanting to take the next step and expand their business.
The breakfast also provided attendees with the opportunity to expand their network and make valuable contacts within the business community.
Makers in Maribyrnong are now able to showcase their business and product offer on an exciting new digital platform.
How to get involved:
1. Visit the website - Visit website and learn more about the project; the partners and goals 2. Sign up to the website - Be visible, join a growing population of makers showcasing their creative and innovative businesses 3. Complete the Survey - Share your insights 4. Spread the Word - Use your networks and social media to let others know.
Pokémon Go the new virtual reality game has hit the streets of our City.
You may have noticed that the “Pokémon Go” mobile game has taken over our streets with excited Pokémon fans spending more time in shopping strips and our activity centres capturing their Pokémon.
Some savvy businesses have been able to increase their sales by being part of this exciting new frenzy, and we encourage businesses to get on board.
Businesses can invite Pokémon players to spend through creative and inventive ways and through some of the tools available on the game like the ‘lure modules’ and ‘incense’.
So the question is, how can you do this? Here is a quick snap shot of how it all works…
T Cavallaro and Sons Celebrates 60 Years In Footscray
It all started with Tommaso Cavallaro who came to Australia from Italy in 1949 and started baking his delicious Italian sweets from his kitchen at home in Yarraville. In 1956, Tommaso and his wife Sarina opened their Pasticceria in Footscray. Camelo, the eldest of the five children, started to work with his father at the young age of 14 and is still working in the pasticceria to this day, along with his youngest brother Tony and their respective wives.
We had a chat to the brothers about their love for Footscray, passion for preserving their parent’s legacy and secret to their longevity.
Footscray is a suburb always on the move. You must have seen a lot of things change during your time here... what are some of the changes you’ve noticed?
We are now seeing strong growth in Footscray, and rightfully so. The bio-diversity of the people that come through our shop and people we see walking up and down our street is a lot different from 10 to 15 years ago. But in essence, Footscray hasn’t really changed - just the faces and places that they’ve come from.
Footscray features a fascinating blend of international cultures and delicious cuisines. What are some of your favourite local eateries?
Footscray now has a great range of places that we like to go and eat, from Jimmy Wong’s famous dim sims to Konjo for African food. Smoked meats down at Up in Smoke to burgers at 8bit. There’s too many to mention...
What is the secret to T Cavallaro’s longevity?
Our secret to longevity is simple. Our recipes have not changed since Tommaso started his fledgling business. Recipes originate from Lipari, Sicily dating back to Tommaso’s father in the late 19th century. We have always used fresh ingredients - we do not use premixes. We are also strictly a family business, which enables us to maintain a high level of customer service backed by strong values and work ethic as well as that secret ingredient - passion. Tommaso and Sarina are and will always remain our inspiration.
