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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BENDIGO'S Jenna Little is not afraid of hard work - there's no time for that.
When you are a designer, part time student, business owner and full time worker you have to be ready to put in the hard yards.
"It can be tough at times but I wouldn't have it any other way," Ms Little said.
Ms Little designs jewellery for her brand jlee. This year she founded the Bendigo Design Market - which she owns. She is completing her Certificate IV in Business Management at Bendigo TAFE and works a full-time job at Workspace.
This weekend Ms Little is gearing up for another market, with 22 designers signed up to showcase their work and designs.
The market also falls on Support Small Business Day - a state government initiative aimed at increasing the competitiveness of small businesses and recognising their valuable contribution to the community.
"The market is signed up to Support Small Business Day and I got all the stallholders to registers," Ms Little said.
"If the community does not support small businesses then the town would die.
"It can be hard work but we all love what we do."
Ms Little said small business owners often found themselves having to manage all aspects of the business.
She said for designers who sell their products at markets, not having a shop front proved a challenge.
"A lot of home businesses do not have shop fronts which can be really hard when you are trying to market a product," she said.
"Support Small Business Day is great because it gives you that chance to have a shop front for a day."
There is still time to register for Support Small Business Day. 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
The Bendigo Design Market is on at St Andrew's Church in Myers Street.
It goes from 10am to 3pm. There will be entertainment and a barbecue. Anyone is welcome to come along.
