Gold Coast businesses are being turbo-boosted out of COVID 19 through the City of Gold Coast's innovative Growth Accelerator Program.
Selected participants receive group and one on one coaching from the council's business experts, identifying new sources of revenue in a post-pandemic economy and increasing capacity.
Burleigh Heads personal branding and public relations agency, Yellowpanda, is one of the businesses taking part and is already reaping the benefits.
"Aside from the great advice from the mentors, we're now doing business with some of the other participants in the program," Yellowpanda director, Amanda Williams, said.
"That's an introduction I wouldn't have got anywhere else."
"On that alone, it's been worth it."
Yellowpanda is one of eight Gold Coast businesses involved in this year's program, which aims to step participants through the often risky "growth stage" of the business development cycle.
Previous participants have reported 400% growth within 12 months following their involvement in the program.
"The mentors go right the way through my business and tell me what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong," Williams said.
"They look at my projections, my operating costs, my profit margins, even my employees to work out how I can make money and save even more."
"The Gold Coast has been hit really hard by COVID 19 and unfortunately, not every business will survive the pandemic."
"I'm just lucky I'm doing alright - I'm even luckier the City of Gold Coast views my business as having huge potential."
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said participants, including Yellowpanda, were proving a worthwhile investment for his council.
“The City’s aim is to give businesses the tools they need to expand and prosper,’’ Mayor Tate said.
“Often, business leaders get so busy actually running their enterprise they don’t feel they have time to step back, breathe and take a broader look at how they can grow their business.
“That’s where this (Growth Accelerator) program can be of great assistance."
"We are seeing it through positive feedback from participants.’’