The campaign was launched on Instagram by Grace Brennan in October 2019 and featured 275 businesses in its first four months. It has promoted a wide range of products and businesses, each selected to reflect the strength, creativity and productivity of country Australia. Analysis reveals that the initiative generated significant benefits for featured business, and a range of flow-on effects for business.
BFTB has positively impacted featured small businesses in regional and remote Australia in five key ways:
- Revenue
BFTB helped generate $5 million for featured businesses during the evaluation period. On average, businesses experienced a 300% sales uplift within 1 month of being featured.
- Market access
BFTB connected businesses with new customers across the country and around the globe. 38% of businesses began shipping interstate, while 19% began exporting overseas.
- Employment opportunities
21% of featured businesses hired new staff to assist with their growth. Jobs created by featured businesses during the evaluation period were predominantly part- time positions.
- Entrepreneur empowerment
BFTB has empowered a new cohort of female entrepreneurs in regional and remote Australia, whose expanded capabilities are enabling stronger, more resilient businesses. 45% of BFTB business owners learned a new
skill; marketing and advertising, IT proficiency, and business and financial literacy foremost.
- Businesses reported that additional income from the campaign helped them enjoy greater freedom and give back to their
communities. 90% of business owners said BFTB had improved their quality of life by boosting their self-esteem, reducing financial pressure and connecting them with a support network of other entrepreneurs.
Comments