Struggling business owners should not hesitate to reach out for help, says small business specialist Sarah Trotman.
She is the guest speaker at the launch of the 15th Westpac Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards tonight.
As head of business relations at AUT, Trotman said it had been atough few years for SMEs.
"Business owners should not feel embarrassed at the state of their businesses, they need to realise they are not alone.
"New Zealand's entrepreneurs are not celebrated enough - they are the backbone of the economy." Ms Trotman said all businesses should invest in a mentor, or if they didn't need one then they should become one.
