Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb, discusses challenges and support for hospitality industry

Phil Di Bella interviews Dominique Lamb, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, in this episode of "Been There, Done That." They discuss the current landscape for small businesses in Queensland, particularly in the hospitality industry. They touch on the challenges of attracting and retaining employees, rising costs, and standing out in a crowded market. Dominique shares resources available from the Queensland Small Business Commissioner's office, including free financial counsellors, wellness coaches, mentors, grants, and training courses. They also discuss the role of the Commissioner in advocating for small businesses and working to minimize disputes. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of community support and the need for small businesses to adapt and thrive in the changing landscape.- Dominique Lamb is the Queensland Small Business Commissioner and has a background in retail and hospitality.
Dominique Lamb, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, discusses the current landscape for small businesses in Queensland, particularly in the hospitality industry. She highlights the top three issues facing small businesses: skill shortages, housing, and the cost of living. Dominique also talks about the resources and support available for small businesses, including financial counselors, wellness coaches, mentors, grants, and free TAFE courses. In addition, she emphasizes the importance of mindset and taking action to create change.
- The top three issues facing small businesses in Queensland are skill shortages, housing, and the cost of living.
- Small businesses are struggling to find and retain employees, and are dealing with rising costs and shrinking margins.
- The Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides resources and support for small businesses, including financial counselors, wellness coaches, mentors, grants, and free TAFE courses.
- Mindset is crucial for success in business, and small business owners need to take action and utilize available resources to drive change.Quotes:
- "The biggest question I get asked is, where have they gone? Why can't I find them? How do I find them?" - Dominique Lamb
- "If you don't get out there and sit in someone's business and talk to them about what they are personally experiencing, there is no way to know." - Dominique Lamb
- "The key takeaway is that you've got to be part of that change. There are resources there, you need to reach out and grab it. You've got to do the work." - Dominique Lamb
- "You can provide the river, but if the person doesn't jump in the river and swim, well, there's no point of the river. So get out there. There's a whole heap of stuff to help." - Dominique Lamb

The Landscape of Small Business in Queensland: Insights from the Queensland Small Business CommissionerIn this article, we will explore the key themes discussed in a podcast episode featuring the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominic Lamb. The podcast episode focused on the current landscape for small businesses in Queensland, particularly in the hospitality industry. We will delve into the main themes discussed in the episode, providing an in-depth exploration of each theme using verbatim quotes from the transcript. We will also analyze the implications and potential impact of these themes and conclude with a future outlook for small businesses in Queensland.The People ProblemOne of the main challenges faced by small businesses in Queensland, particularly in the hospitality industry, is the people problem. The episode highlighted the difficulty in finding and retaining skilled workers, as well as the challenges associated with housing and the rising cost of living. Dominic Lamb mentioned that small business owners often struggle to find quality candidates and are faced with the increasing costs of supplies, which affects their profit m