For many Hepburn Shire business owners, the “local network” is both a blessing and a ceiling. While word-of-mouth in Daylesford or Trentham can keep a van on the road or a home office humming, moving beyond the shire boundaries often feels like a leap into a digital void.
Recognizing this, Hepburn Shire Council has announced a partnership with Bullarto-based consultancy Greywoods Consulting to deliver two free webinars this May. The sessions are specifically designed for the shire’s “invisible” workforce: the tradespeople and home-based operators who form the backbone of the local economy but often lack the time for large-scale marketing.
Cracking the Word-of-Mouth Ceiling
The first session, “From local tradie to regional brand,” takes place on Wednesday, 6 May (6:30–8 pm).
It targets the local contractor who is tired of chasing small leads and wants to position themselves as a preferred choice for larger projects across Central Victoria. The workshop promises practical ways to build a professional regional presence without needing a dedicated marketing department.
The Home-Office “Lead Magnet”
On Monday, 18 May (6:30–8 pm), the focus shifts to professional services and creative micro-businesses with “From home office to regional lead magnet.”
With many residents now operating consultancies or digital services from their homes, this webinar explores how to attract and convert clients from Ballarat, Bendigo, and Melbourne, ensuring local businesses aren’t solely reliant on the immediate tourist or resident population.
Local Expertise
The choice of Greywoods Consulting brings a hyperlocal edge to the initiative. Based in South Bullarto, the firm’s principal, Blair Smith, specializes in “90-day sprints”—a fast-paced approach to business growth that fits the hectic schedules of small operators.
Council says the program is part of a broader commitment to building economic resilience. By helping a solo plumber or a freelance designer find clients in the next town over, the shire strengthens its own financial floor.
Registration is free but essential. Local operators can secure their place via the Hepburn Shire Council website.
