Small Business

Speaking in public is not easy for most people, nor is running a workshop, writing a speech, thinking on your feet, or even speaking up amongst friends. At POWERtalk you will learn how to gain the confidence to step up to speak up. We've seen it many times over. We help you with simple techniques to look confident as a speaker even when you feel like crumbling. **You'll be giving presentations before you know it and loving it!!!** **\>\>\>** We believe there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to growing as a person and can tailor a plan to help you grow as an individual. **<<<** **Join us at a meeting soon to learn how to build your confidence as a speaker, effectively communicate, get creative, and have lots of fun doing so.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- POWERtalk Australia is a not-for-profit organisation training in public speaking and leadership skills. Guests are free of charge for the first 3 meetings. Full membership is surprisingly very affordable. Please ask if you would like more information or become a member. We look forward to meeting you for a night of POWERtalk (1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month) *PS. If you have symptoms of cough, runny nose, fever or are unwell, we wish you a speedy recovery and please ask that you stay away until you are well again. Thanks :)* We meet every 1st & 3rd Tuesday. Address: Power Neighbourhood House - 54 Power Avenue Ashwood Vic 7.45 pm start. 2-hour duration. Come along and enjoy the fun. We look forward to meeting you.

Enjoy cake and coffee or even a sango at Bloom, a brand new cafe in Ascot Vale.

Jewellers can hire a desk in our workshop to make or finish off their own pieces. This workshop is self run, you need to attend a health and safety induction before working daily unattended. Basic jewellery making tools are provided and some consumables such as flux, borax, tumbling polish, lathe polish and some drill bits. Aprons and safety glasses are provided, tie up loose hair, wear enclosed shoes. Please email claw.creative.studios@gmail.com for any questions or inquiries. Clara Carija, Director CLAW CREATIVE.

Whether you're looking for a short, light game or a longer strategy-heavy game, come join the Melbourne Asian Board Gamers on Tuesday night at Marché Board Game Cafe for some fun! To **check in**, please head to the front counter and show your RSVP for the Meetup event to a Marché staff member. They will then point you towards the event host for the evening to take down your attendance. **⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ Cost ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆** Attendees who have registered for the event on Meetup can play at discounted rates, with the following payments to be made: * **$7 in total per session” to cover Meetup subscription and cafe costs. Payment of $7 should be made to Marche at the front counter upon notification to the staff member that you are here for the scheduled meetup. There is now no minimum spend on items at the cafe as there were before. The cafes menu can be found here https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf . Only attendees on the "going" list are entitled to the discount. attendees that are on the waitlist or didn't register on Meetup are still welcome to come, but will need to pay the regular Marche rate of $22 for three hours of board games (includes one free drink). **Attendance** As our events are highly popular, if you have RSVP as going but can no longer attend, please amend your RSVP to allow others a chance to attend. If we notice people are not showing up when they have RSVP, you will be moved to the waitlist the following week and give priority to those who actually turn up. We appreciate everyone's understanding and co-operation. We really appreciate your support and look forward to playing with you.

Every team has that "Manual Drag" - those repetitive, low-gear loops that keep you stuck in the pits while the competition is flying. It’s time to break the rhythm and find your flow. Join us for a high-octane session on Atlassian Rovo, the AI power unit built to eliminate the manual grind and get you to the podium. We’re going to show you how to: Tune the Frequency (Search): Stop the static. Cut through the noise and find exactly what you need across your entire stack in one smooth motion. No more hunting for the beat. Riff with the Pit Wall (Chat): Turn fragmented data into instant insights. Don’t just read the spec—ask the engine to remix it, summarize it, and serve it up so you stay in the flow. Hand Off the Loops (Agents): Put Rovo Agents on the repetitive, manual chores that stall your engine. Let them handle the grind while you focus on the high-speed moves that actually win the race. The grid is forming. Stop idling in the manual lane and start playing the high-speed tracks. Are you ready to take the lead? Agenda --- Speaker Abbas Heidari - Woolworths Group (Atlassian Expert) Hosted By Michelle Letho, Account Executive & Networking Junkie Michelle (Miche) Letho is the Melbourne Atlassian Community Event (ACE) Champion and an Account Executive at Willyama Togetha, Australia’s only Indigenous-owned Atlassian Platinum Partner. She helps organisations imagine, build, and scale better ways of working through Atlassian solutions that boost collaboration, visibility, and impact. A member of the Transformers Unite leadership team, Miche supports national change and transformation events that bring practitioners together to learn and share. With a career spanning tech, FMCG, a Startup founder and consulting, she blends commercial know-how with curiosity and heart. If she's not at networking events, outside work, she keeps busy ubering teens at calisthenics and netball. and recharges through yoga, Pilates and hiking. Abbas Heidari, Engineer With an IT career spanning over 30 years, I have always been passionate about bridging the gap between technical architecture and human collaboration. My journey began in 1995 in software engineering, and after completing my Master of Information Systems at the University of Melbourne, I transitioned my focus to the Atlassian ecosystem in 2015. Currently, I serve as the Atlassian SME at Woolworths Group. Working within a high-impact team, I focus on delivering enterprise-grade solution consulting and sustainable governance to support thousands of users across a complex, large-scale environment. I am particularly dedicated to: ■ Enterprise Solution Consulting Architecting the Atlassian product lifecycle to meet the intricate, scalable needs of the Woolworths Group. ■ Community Leadership Since last year, I have led the Atlassian CUG (Company User Group) within Woolworths, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and cross-functional best practices. ■ Product Influence Active participation in Atlassian’s Early Access Programmes (EAPs), providing direct feedback to help shape the future of the tools we use every day. ■ Governance & Enablement Establishing frameworks that balance operational efficiency with internal security while empowering teams through specialised training. I believe the strength of the Atlassian suite lies in the community behind it. I’m always keen to exchange ideas on governance, scalability, and how to build a thriving internal user community. Bonnie Emmerson, Atlassian Community Champion Mit Tolia, Atlassian Community Champion Andy Fleming, Lead DevOps Engineer G’day everyone, I’m Andy from Melbourne (Australia) and I've been a Community Champion since late 2025. I’ve been an Atlassian geek since around 2008 when I started using Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Bamboo, Fisheye and Crucible for my startup, and have been in a number of Atlassian Admin and advocacy roles across multiple industries since then. Primarily a Developer and DevOps guy in office hours, I love tinkering with a new tool or process and working out how it can help teams do what they’re doing better, with more clarity and transparency. Fair chunk of experience around JSM (and the alternatives) and a passion for DX and DevSecOps type processes. Bringing some order to chaos, helping people with work and processes and generally helping people get stuff done. My undergrad was focused on AI 30 years too early, but now spending a lot of time there as it all comes full circle, so Rovo is of particular interest. Looking forward to meeting hopefully lots of you 🍻 --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-melbourne-presents-the-rovo-grand-prix-winning-the-race-for-productivity/.

Join renowned Business Coach, **Rakesh Singh**, for an immersive and transformative experience at the highly anticipated Business Growth Seminar. This empowering event is specifically designed for business owners like you who are eager to unlock the full potential of their enterprises and achieve unprecedented success. Throughout this engaging seminar, Rakesh will delve into crucial areas of business management, including marketing, sales, operations, financials, strategy, planning, time management, and people management. Drawing from his extensive experience working with diverse industries, Rakesh will provide actionable strategies and techniques that can be implemented immediately to drive positive change within your organisation.

This event is for all business owners in Melbourne, who are looking to grow their business. This event will have combination of networking and business education/discussion

For our March meetup we are excited to host Darryl Wright who will demonstrate how you really can deliver 3 yr projects in 3 months using Value Stream Mapping and Flow Efficiency. Find out what other organisations are doing to slash the time it takes them to deliver value, and how you can do it too. This talk explores: 1\. What is Value Stream Mapping \(VSM\)\, and Flow Efficiency ? 2\. What does VSM reveal about how most organisations deliver value today ? 3\. The big lightbulb moment: can 3 yr projects really be delivered in 3 months? \(hint: yes\!\) 4\. Where to from here ? \(and can I use AI to help with all of this ?\) And then, as we always highly encourage participation to embed what we learnt, we'll give the method a go ourselves with Darryl's expert guidance. **Meet your Speaker - Darryl Wright, Value Delivery Advisor and Trainer at Organa** *The only constant in life is change.* Darryl comes from a strong commercial and delivery background borne from two decades of experience in traditional IT project and program management and running IT businesses. This led him on a journey to find more successful and humane ways of working, becoming an Enterprise Agile coach and trainer. He is now a passionate champion of changing the way the world works. His guiding vision is to assist organisations to become great places to work that have happy, effective staff who create brilliant products and services that their customers love.

* Join us for an evening of professional networking and valuable insights at our Entrepreneur & **Small Business Networking Mixer**. Connect with fellow small business owners, entrepreneurs, and like-minded professionals to share business strategies and exchange ideas for startup success with a drink. * * We have carved a deal with the restaurant of 10% Discount of all Menu items & drinks if you mention the staff "**Friday Business Meetup Deal**" * * We will delve into the power of integrating feminine wisdom with masculine energy for enhanced business strategies and entrepreneurial success. Discover the importance of positive human collisions in fostering innovation and growth, while expanding your network in a dynamic and supportive environment. * * Don't miss this opportunity to meet new contacts, exchange knowledge, and take yourself to the next level! * * **About Host:** Host of the event Sash (Sachin) is qualified accountant in practice. Mostly he is present in the event but it is subject to his prior commitment. However everybody is still invited to chat & socialise whether he is present or not. The place is a platform for everyone to gather,meet & help each other. * * **Address & Timings :** from **6-8 PM** at **500 Victoria Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 (This event will be on every Friday same time same day unless otherwise advised)** * * Join us to meet new friends, hang out and have some laughs. New people are always welcome 😊🍺🍺 * * Come along to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend. * * **Liability Waiver:** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being.

📚 #InPursuit is a book club for entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious minds who know personal growth fuels business growth. **See a lot of RSPVPs and wonder how it works? We'll break up into groups of 6-8 to share our insights, then swap groups after 30-45min so you can maximise learning from everybody!** *Note: this even is not organised by or affiliated with The State Library of Victoria* **That's what #InPursuit is all about** It’s not a traditional book club, it’s a space for people who are actively designing a better life through the pursuit of business, creativity, and personal growth. This event is for anyone #InPursuit of better business, life and relationships. Instead of reading the same book, we each come prepared to share one powerful insight from something we’ve read in the past 3-months. Anything non-fiction that’s moved us forward. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a productivity system, a new philosophy, or just a truth that punched us in the gut. This is a place to unpack it together and hear what others are learning too. We’re not just here to *read*. We’re here to *integrate*. Because when we grow, our business and our lives grow too. **🔍 Why Join? You'll leave with:** * 5–10 fresh insights from books you may never have picked up * Deeper awareness of how others think, lead, and evolve * New connections with people walking a similar path toward purpose, results, and impact This isn’t a lecture. It’s a room full of people building themselves while they build the thing. **📖 How It Works** First time? No pressure to share, just come curious. We'll break up into groups of 6-8 and share our insights, then swap groups so you can maximise the learning! Returning? Bring one idea you’ve read about in the last 3-months and be ready to speak on: 1. What did you learn? 2. How did it shift your perspective about the world or yourself? 3. How has it changed the way you show up or behave? We keep it structured, but flexible. After sharing, we open up to Q&A, personal stories, challenges, and deep dives. Some of the best insights come from the conversations *after* the share. **🧠 Who This Is For** * Entrepreneurs or side-hustlers finding their footing * Business owners, and doers building toward better * Curious minds who love ideas but care more about action * People tired of shallow conversations and hungry for growth If you’re working on something—or becoming someone—this space is for you. It’s a practice ground for people who want to grow forward. We’re all #InPursuit of mastery, momentum, and the kind of success that starts from within. **Map on how to get there** We're in the Create Quarter on the ground level (back right of the Quad as you enter from Swanson St). We'll likely be on a long table together. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/SLV-EnglishMap_Jan25.pdf *If there is no room at a table I'll post on the event page that we'll be going to Mr. Tulk Cafe, which is on the corner of the library at Swanson St and La Trobe St.*

Girls Who Boss is a community dedicated to helping driven, kind women make new connections in Melbourne. Join us for a casual coffee catch-up on the weekend of International Women's Day, to meet new friends and raise funds for an important cause. All ticket sales from this event will go towards Share the Dignity. As always we are keeping our ticket price low to make it as accessible as possible, but if you'd like to make an extra donation to our fundraiser, you can do so here: https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/fundraisers/girlswhoboss **Share the Dignity** Share the Dignity works to make a real, on the ground difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. They distribute period products to those in need and work to end period poverty here in Australia. When someone is doing it tough, the last thing on their mind should be dealing with their period. They assist those in need by collecting thousands of period products each year through collection drives and campaigns and distribute them directly to charities across Australia.

Hi all, This restaurant has been on my list of eateries to tick off in the recent/past years since I become the event host for this group. I thought I’d like to make this event in March mbecause it gets dark quite early at night during Autumn. Additionally, I would like to thank you to our wonderful fine diners recommending this restaurant over the years. Please E.O.I if you are keen to attend! Cost 💲: 7 Course Tasting Menu $245pp with snacks & bread (+ card surcharge and drinks at additional cost). ***Once i receive the payment in full from members on the E.O.I list i will go ahead to reserve a table for 4/6 for us, so the sooner i receive the funds the early I’ll book the seats.*** Edited on 26.01.2026: ¥¥¥¥• I have booked 4 seats for us • You will have 48 hrs to settle your payment. Once it’s received I will move your name across to the going list. Cancellation policy: Credit card details are required to secure all bookings. A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for any cancellations. Cancellations made within the 24 hours before the reservation will be charged the full menu price of $245pp. ¥¥¥¥ Address of the restaurant 70 Princes Hwy, Beaconsfield 3807 (corner of Souter Street) Hope we can make it happen! Cheers, LeAnn

**Confidence in Bloom: How Creativity Builds Confidence** What happens when creativity becomes an intentional practice? In this month’s Confidence Lab, we’ll gather at **Petals That Inspire: The Flourish Studio** for an evening exploring the connection between creativity and confidence. How making with our hands, engaging our senses, and allowing space for expression can shift how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Our featured speaker, **Amanda Lorenzetti**, owner of Petals That Inspire, will share how creativity has shaped her own confidence journey and why creative environments play such a powerful role in well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing from her work leading an experience-driven floral studio and a community-centered workforce development program, Amanda will reflect on creativity as both a personal and collective catalyst. Amanda will also guide us through a **hands-on floral design experience**, creating a fresh arrangement in a wide mouth mason jar. No prior floral experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to engage the process. This evening is an invitation to slow down, create, and reconnect with the part of yourself that grows through care, attention, and imagination. You’ll leave with a floral arrangement to take home, and a deeper understanding of how confidence can be cultivated through creative practices. **Featured Speaker: Amanda Lorenzetti** Amanda Lorenzetti is the owner and founder of [Petals That Inspire](https://www.petalsthatinspire.com/) and The Flourish Studio, a social enterprise florist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings more than a decade of experience in wedding and event sales, paired with hands-on expertise in floral and event design. Amanda’s connection to the floral industry began early, spending time alongside her godmother, a professional florist on the East Coast. After earning her business degree, she returned to her hometown in Connecticut to work as a floral and event designer, blending creative artistry with strong operational and client-focused skills. In 2020, Amanda returned to the floral industry with a renewed purpose, driven by a desire to build a business rooted in creativity, community impact, and sustainability. During this pivotal time, she founded Petals That Inspire—an innovative floral concept that reimagines the traditional florist model by combining event florals, workshops, and experiential offerings with a mission-centered approach to workforce development. Today, Petals That Inspire is a thriving social enterprise known for its thoughtful design, educational experiences, and commitment to empowering young adults facing barriers to entry in the workforce. Amanda is deeply passionate about building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven, and she leverages her strong business acumen to create a scalable & sustainable model that inspires creativity while giving back to the community. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

**Confidence & Connection: Using Your Authentic Truth to Find Your People** Confidence isn’t just about believing in yourself, it’s about knowing where you belong and who you can grow alongside. In this April Confidence Lab Happy Hour, we’ll explore how living in your authentic truth helps you find your people, build meaningful collaborations, and create spaces where vulnerability is met with respect rather than risk. Together, we’ll reflect on what it looks like to advocate for yourself with clarity and care, and how confidence deepens when it’s rooted in connection rather than comparison. Featured speaker **Lachandra Baker**, founder of **[LBB Edutainment](https://www.lbbedutainment.com/)** and author of *Your Own Biggest Cheerleader*, will share reflections on authenticity, psychological safety, and the power of community over individual achievement. Drawing from personal stories—including the significance of turning 53—Lachandra will invite us into a conversation about showing up fully, being seen, and choosing relationships that support who you truly are. Expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere with space for reflection, shared insight, and intentional connection—plus drinks, light bites, and the kind of conversations that remind you you’re not meant to do this alone. Come as you are. Leave feeling clearer about your voice, your people, and the confidence that grows when both are aligned. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

One of the most valuable parts of this community is the opportunity to think out loud with other product professionals. This session is built for exactly that. As we wrap up the quarter, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What’s on track? What needs adjustment? Where could a small shift create bigger impact? Join fellow product professionals for a focused, interactive conversation designed to help you recalibrate for the next quarter. You’ll have the opportunity to share where you are, hear how others are thinking through similar challenges, and gain fresh perspective you can bring back to your team and organization. We’ll gather at 8:00AM, with discussion starting promptly at 8:15AM. 📍 First Watch - 7227 N High St Located in: The Shops at Worthington Ample parking is available. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Start your morning with clarity and connection — we hope to see you there! ☀️

Come and grow your business by meeting these other business professionals. We can help you expand your customers.

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.