Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has now opened applications for the Maker Entrepreneurship Program to help Brisbane’s creative businesses grow and thrive.

Cr Schrinner said the free program offered hands-on support, training and development opportunities, with 40 spots available for local businesses.

“Brisbane residents enjoy an incredible lifestyle with local markets, festivals and events offering a range of locally-made, quality goods,” he said.

“By supporting our creative start-ups and small-to-medium businesses, we’re ensuring these businesses continue to create and provide more to see and do across the city and suburbs.

We know rising costs are impacting businesses across the board and we don’t want to see them pull back on training and development opportunities. That’s why this program is completely free.”

Cr Schrinner said Council’s Maker Entrepreneurship Program had provided opportunities for more than 85 Brisbane makers to grow their businesses since it launched in 2020.

“There has never been a better time to do business in Brisbane and this program gives talented residents a leg up so they can improve their business practices,” he said.

“Brisbane has already been recognised across the globe with Australia’s best hotel, The Calile and best restaurant, Agnes.

Programs like this help businesses learn new skills so they can jump on board and become another local success story. I encourage eligible businesses to get involved with the program.”

The workshops provide an in-depth and hands-on experience tailored specifically for makers, defined as someone who creates a tangible item either by design or fabrication, such as an artist, sewer, printer, potter, metalsmith, jeweller, woodworker or designer.

Sessions focus on goal setting, money management, online product photography and marketing, through engaging small-group experience, with the option to attend face-to-face or online.

Local businesses can also access Council’s free upskilling workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities at the Brisbane Business Hub and the Suburban Business Hub, 133 BNE Business Hotline which offers 24/7 assistance, the Local Retail and Activation Toolkit and our Growing Precincts Together Program.

Applications close on Sunday 10 March 2024.

The program will run for 11 weeks from Monday 8 April.

Visit http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search “Maker Entrepreneurship Program” for more information, or phone Council’s contact centre on 07 3403 8888.