Inspiration from best of best

Sarah Trotman says she knows those moments of terror for small business owners. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Sarah Trotman has made a business of helping other small businesses.

In her new capacity as director of the Small Business Expo, she's the driving force behind what's shaping up to be the largest exhibition catering for small to medium enterprises.

She expects the three-day event - to be held at the Auckland Showgrounds in July - will bring more than 6500 small business owners through the doors.

What they will find is a "business to business marketplace" and a chance to find solutions to a host of business needs.

This could include ways to better manage their business or deal with issues such as payroll or debt collection, and information on services such as banking, mobile phone pricing plans, marketing and business development.

"I want people to walk in thinking they will spend an hour but end up spending four hours and to come out feeling inspired about getting back to the office," she said.

As well as a wide range of exhibitors, there will be seminars and networking opportunities.

"If you're an established business you obviously want to be doing things better and, if you're a start-up, it will absolutely open your mind to the possibilities in terms of business support," Trotman said.

"If I had been able to attend a business expo when I ran my debt collection agency, I would have run a more effective business."

Exhibition sites went on sale this week and large corporates keen to target small business owners are already snapping up prime space.

"What these large corporates are learning is the importance of helping small business owners take that helicopter view of their business by spending time working on the business rather than in it - which is what we are all guilty of, getting bogged down in the detail."

Exhibitors will focus on the small-business market exclusively, and represent a wide range of business sectors keen to pass on their knowledge and experience to small business owners and managers.

These include financial services, human resources, telecommunications, marketing and business support.

Trotman tips the line-up to be the "best of the best".

"We're very clear to make sure they have a quality offering and a good understanding of the SME sector before we let them on board as an exhibitor."

What fuels Trotman's passion for the sector is that she has been a small business owner herself.

She ran College Credit Management, a debt collection company with a staff of 30 and a turnover of about $3 million, which she sold after 15 years to listed company RMG Group.

"I've experienced those moments of terror only a small business owner can relate to. I understand how small business owners think."

She then gained considerable experience in the sector through her former role as chief executive of Business in the Community, a mentoring service for business owners, and, more recently, as a leading small business sector specialist.

In many ways the expo will be a forerunner to the small business shopping mall concept Trotman has championed in recent years.

She describes this as a one-stop shop for small business owners, somewhere they could visit and cover all their needs in one go.

They could pick up a business mentor, get assistance with their business plan, buy a new laptop and attend an inspirational seminar on how to develop their business.

This is something she believes is greatly needed to help small business owners - who are often time-poor - to maximise their time and profits.

Small is beautiful

* The Small Business Expo will run from July 20 to 22 at the Auckland Showgrounds.

* Organiser Sarah Trotman is expecting to attract more than 6500 business owners.

* It aims to bring helpful products and services for small business owners together under one roof.

* Companies wanting to exhibit at the expo should view www.businessexpo.co.nz from April 4, or phone Sarah Trotman directly on (09) 921-9318 or 021-475-583.