WHEN I started working with local businesses, I was shocked to find out just how alone many of our small businesses can feel and how tough they do it.
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That's an issue because most jobs in our area, if not all of them outside of government, are created by smaller businesses.
Around the country, small- and medium-sized businesses employ nearly 70 per cent of all workers.
Now the thing is, without jobs, all the obvious benefits of living here - no traffic congestion, affordable land, a greater sense of community compared to the big cities - means little.
Many of the 32,000 businesses in western NSW also involve themselves in community-building activities. You only need to look at your kids' sports uniform or a local charity list of contributors and you'll see them there.
- Vicki Seccombe
So the fact is, when you sit and think about what it is that holds many of the towns in western NSW together, the availability of jobs sits high on that list.
Given that, and given the critical importance of small businesses in creating jobs, why is it that the huge contribution made by small businesses isn't recognised more?
There is some recognition sure, such as the awards run by the local business chambers and the NSW Businesses Chamber, and even days like Thursday's United Nations International Day of Small Business.
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But there's not really a lot of recognition though - especially from government - which a pity, because realistically, the hardworking families who have taken a risk to set up a business and run it are the unsung heroes that bind our community together.
Not-so-fun fact: only 15 per cent of small businesses report getting any help from government, compared to 57 per cent for large businesses. Small business is the least assisted sector of the economy, according to the Australian Small Business Ombudsman.
Yet in addition to providing a livelihood for many families, many of the 32,000 businesses in western NSW also involve themselves in community-building activities.
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You only need to look at your kids' sports uniform or a local charity list of contributors and you'll see them there.
That's why it's so essential that people are mindful of this contribution and demand that our political leaders do everything they can to ensure our small and medium businesses thrive.
In the meantime, let's celebrate our local business community - buy something local, give a thumbs up on social media or just say thank you!
Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager of Western NSW Business Chamber
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