The Bendigo Advertiser will publish a series of stories on small, local businesses to raise awareness of Support Small Business Day on Saturday October 4.
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SMALL business can be a rocky road to travel but the rewards are super sweet.
This is a common thought shared among small business owners - one of them being confectioner Ben Dillon.
Mr Dillon, along with his wife Anne, own and run Harry's Lolly Shop.
The pair started the business as an online store five years ago.
In 2013, Mr and Mrs Dillon took a risk and opened a "bricks and mortar" shop in Bendigo's central business district.
"It's challenging at times but it can also be very rewarding," he said.
"We have three daughters, so trying to find a work, life balance can be difficult among other things."
We have three daughters, so trying to find a work, life balance can be difficult among other things.
- Ben Dillon
Harry's Lolly Shop has registered to participate in Support Small Business Day on Saturday October 4.
"We did it last year. We were three months into trade and saw a significant uplift in sales and a lot of support for the businesses we choose to support," Mr Dillon said.
"One of our strategies is to buy from local businesses or Victorian-made products.
"That is one of our clear strategies and an extension of Support Small Business Day for us.
"Not only to support ourselves as a business but to support the businesses we choose to support."
Mr Dillon said if the community failed to support small business, shops like Harry's Lolly Shop would cease to exist.
"It's about keeping the jobs local and the economy in our own city," he said.
"We are passionate about what we do and want to continue to have that point of difference in our own cities."
Mr Dillon said small and big business differed in many ways.
"Our customer service staff have a lot of regulars - we get to know them by name and what they buy. We try to engage with those regular customers," he said.
"Whereas it tends to be more impersonal in some of those bigger companies."
Support Small Business Day is a state government initiative aimed at increasing the competitiveness of small businesses and recognising their valuable contribution to the community.
Registered businesses will take part in a market day in Bendigo's CBD and Hargreaves Mall on Saturday.
To register for Support Small Business Day, visit supportsmallbusinessday.vic.gov.au
