At The Growth Manager, our mission is about more than metrics, marketing, and business plans. It’s about real impact—empowering small business owners to dream big, plan smart, and thrive sustainably. We’re beyond proud to be part of the 2025 Emerald Mentoring for Growth (M4G) Sessions, a partnership representing our core values.
This year, our team headed to Emerald to provide a dynamic digital marketing workshop and one-on-one mentoring for the Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards (CHBEA) nominees. This initiative, hosted by the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) in partnership with the Queensland Government’s Mentoring for Growth program, brings together some of the most inspiring regional businesses in the state—and we are honoured to support them.
Why We’re Involved
At The Growth Manager, we’re deeply passionate about supporting Australian entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly those located in regional areas. Running a business in regional Queensland comes with its own unique set of challenges—from limited access to digital tools to fewer networking opportunities. That’s why programs like CHBEA and M4G are critical. They provide targeted support, recognise innovation, and celebrate excellence in often underserved communities.
This partnership was a no-brainer for us. We’ve worked extensively with the Mentoring for Growth program and are excited to contribute to an initiative that promotes confidence, education, growth, and real-world business support for regional leaders.
What’s Happening in Emerald
The Emerald M4G Sessions are part of a broader effort to support CHBEA nominees in the lead-up to the awards ceremony. The goal is to help nominees strengthen their businesses, improve their strategic operations, and ultimately thrive long after the awards night.
Our involvement includes two main components:
1. Digital Marketing Workshop: “Standing Out with Strategic Marketing”
Our Founder and Lead Mentor, Angie Martin, designed this workshop to demystify digital marketing for time-poor business owners. We explored:
- What makes a business truly stand out online
- The fundamentals of branding and online visibility
- How to create a digital campaign that aligns with your sales goals
- Tips on leveraging social media, SEO, and email marketing on a budget
But this wasn’t your average workshop. Attendees received real examples, interactive activities, and a practical 7-day campaign planning session to help attendees walk away with something tangible to implement.
Our aim? To help every attendee walk away feeling empowered and equipped—not overwhelmed.
2. One-on-One Mentoring Sessions with M4G
Through the Mentoring for Growth program, we also conducted personalised business mentoring sessions tailored to each participant’s unique growth challenges. Whether refining a business plan, clarifying a marketing strategy, or navigating operational hurdles, these sessions are all about impactful, actionable advice.
Angie Martin and James Parker from Fresh Perspective worked closely with nominees, providing high-value guidance in a supportive and confidential environment.
Why This Matters
Supporting regional entrepreneurs means strengthening communities from the inside out. These businesses are often the backbone of their towns, creating jobs, supporting families, and contributing to local economies.
By helping them grow smarter, we’re investing in the future of Queensland’s regions.
Here’s why this matters so much to us:
✳ Mentorship Works
Having a mentor can be a game-changer. It’s about more than business advice—building confidence, validating ideas, and reminding entrepreneurs they’re not alone. As a proud volunteer for the M4G program, Angie has seen firsthand how these sessions can transform a business owner’s mindset and drive their next chapter of growth.
✳ Regional Businesses Deserve More Support
Running a business in a regional area takes grit. Access to workshops, networking, and training is often limited. That’s why bringing a high-impact event like this directly to Emerald is essential. We’re levelling the playing field—giving regional entrepreneurs access to the same tools and knowledge as their metropolitan counterparts.
✳ It Aligns with Our Core Values
Our values at The Growth Manager—passion, empowerment, generosity, community and creativity—are reflected in every part of this initiative. We’re here to serve, educate, and make real change happen. And there’s no better place to do that than in a room full of passionate, regional business owners ready to take things to the next level.
About the Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards
The CHBEA is more than an awards night—it celebrates innovation, resilience, and excellence across the Central Highlands. Nominees span industries like tourism, agriculture, retail, professional services, and social enterprise, each with a unique story and contribution to the region.
By integrating professional mentoring and educational workshops into the awards lead-up, the CHDC ensures that this recognition also catalyses future success.
We’re thrilled to be a part of that.
About Mentoring for Growth (M4G)
For those who don’t know, the Mentoring for Growth program is a Queensland Government initiative that pairs experienced business professionals with small business owners nationwide.
These free, confidential sessions give business owners the chance to gain:
- New perspectives on challenges
- Strategic advice for growth
- Access to a broader business network
And because it’s volunteer-driven, it’s accessible to everyone.
At The Growth Manager, we’ve proudly participated in this program for years, offering our time to give back to the community that’s helped us grow.
We always say it takes a village to grow a business, and M4G is one of the best examples of that in action.
What Participants Can Expect
If you were a CHBEA nominee who joined us in Emerald, here’s what would have experienced:
- An energising and inclusive workshop that breaks digital marketing down into achievable steps
- A printable worksheet to help you plan your next 7-day campaign
- Real-life examples to learn from and adapt
- One-on-one mentoring that puts your business front and centre
- The chance to network, collaborate, and get inspired by your peers
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning of what we hope will be an ongoing partnership with CHDC and the regional business community. We’re here not just for the event—but to provide long-term support and resources through our Growth Guides, Free Growth Hacks, and Mentoring Services.
If you missed out on attending the in-person Emerald M4G Sessions, come say hi in one of Mentoring for Growth’s virtual sessions. Let’s chat about your business, goals, and how we can help you make 2025 your biggest year yet.
Want to Stay in the Loop?
You can keep up with our journey by:
- Following us on Instagram
- Reading our Biz Growth Blog
- Exploring our Free Growth Resources
- Learning about Mentoring for Growth
Final Thoughts
The Emerald M4G Sessions represent what we stand for at The Growth Manager—education, empowerment, and entrepreneurial success through real, community-led support.
We were honoured to offer our expertise and help shine a spotlight on the incredible talent in the Central Highlands. Whether through one-on-one mentoring or our digital marketing workshop, we’re here to help businesses grow smarter, stronger, and more confident than ever before.
Because when you lift up one business owner, you lift an entire community.
