The South Australian Business Chamber Today — 9 December, 2021
Like many entrepreneurs establishing a new business, Blair Wickham of Wickham Marketing admits he was spreading himself too thin while starting his new business, marketing his product and supporting the needs of his clients, prior to completing the SAYES Regional program back in September this year.
Cutting his teeth in the workforce in a family tourism business on Kangaroo Island, Blair quickly discovered the keys to career flexibility could only be found by starting his own business, as he did in March of 2019.
“It’s important to me to work, and assist my family” said Mr Wickham, and so his journey began.
With a passion and drive for digital marketing, hospitality and tourism, Blair was motivated and quickly established the baseline of his business and earned four regular clients, both on Kangaroo Island and the mainland.
Not even nine months of business had passed before Kangaroo Island’s catastrophic bushfire season tore his beloved homeland to shreds, soon followed by the COVID pandemic dismantled its iconic tourism industry.
With a new focus on pro-bono work assisting local businesses rebuild, Blair was short on time but motivated as ever to see his dream succeed and build a name for Wickham Marketing.
Introduced to SAYES regional by one of the local the South Australian Business Chamber representatives and with the support of BizRebuild, Blair was a perfect fit for the program, and quickly earned his stripes as one of the brightest the course had seen.
It wasn’t long before the trait of ‘spread too thin’ was replaced with ‘laser like focus’ and with assistance from a dedicated mentor, Blair was producing a solid, streamlined business plan to take Wickham Marketing on a fast-tracked journey through growth.
18 months on and his little Island dream is now a reality. After winning the prize for ‘best business plan’ at the 2021 SAYES graduation and awards ceremony, we’re proud to announce that Blair now on a fantastic business trajectory and has increased his business turnover by 175%.
As Blair Wickham undoubtably knows, getting started in business is nothing like you expect it to be. There is a constant narrative that follows entrepreneurs, with whispers of a lonely pathway to uncertainty wreaking havoc in their imaginations, and for some that is true, but far from set in stone.
The SAYES regional program is our way of supporting young entrepreneurs under the age of 35 from all regions across South Australia with learning and mentorship together in an environment that incubates ideas and helps capture inspiration, while preparing budding business owners for the challenges that lay ahead.
The South Australian Business Chamber is now recruiting participants for the next intake of SAYES regional, expected to launch in February 2022. The six-month course and mentoring experience costs $1600 and includes transport and accommodation to Adelaide for workshops.
Proudly developed and delivered in partnership with the South Australian Government Department for Innovation and Skills, and FIXE.
