Editor Denise Cahill chats with Small Business Lounge founder Brooke Arnott
Camera IconEditor Denise Cahill chats with Small Business Lounge founder Brooke Arnott Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Shop Local: Small Business Lounge offers suite of services to small businesses

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

Editor Denise Cahill sat down with Small Business Lounge founder and managing director Brooke Arnott at one of her favourite coffee shops, Yelo in Mt Hawthorn. Ms Arnott started the Small Business Lounge in 2016 after running her own bookkeeping business from home for many years.

1. What is the role of the Small Business Lounge?

We are a multi-service business supporting the diverse needs of small business owners. We do bookkeeping, CFO and advisory, digital marketing, social media management, websites, networking and workshops. People can also have a Lounge membership that includes access to a mix of our services. We have 25 members at the moment.

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2. What advice or support are small business owners seeking?

Understanding cash flow and helping people stay on top of ATO compliance. Social media is another big thing everyone is fascinated about but they’re not sure how to do it. We have all sorts of clients from cafes to retail, tradies, interior designers and global companies.

3. What is your advice to small business owners to get through tough times?

Don’t always do what you have always done if it’s not working. Look at your business and determine what changes need to be made. Make sure you are making those hard decisions, do you need to reduce staff levels? Do a health check and see what works, then use that to strategise. The last couple of months, people have felt a change in the economy and hopefully it will continue into this financial year.

4. Why is it important for us as consumers to support local business?

There’s usually a family behind that business and if you spend money in their business, they can provide jobs for other people. You get much better service from a local business. These days in business, it’s all about relationships and you get that from a small business owner. Most of the time, you’re dealing with the owner.

5. What is your local coffee shop?

I have three… Yelo, Pio’s and Violet Banks.