Baby Granddaughter Joy; Small Business Week & Training Awards; Lunch Together; Spring Markets; JB Wines; First Nations Business Showcase 2025; Australia’s VET System & America’s Talent Strategy; More Blogs, Events & Grants

Hi there, hope you are well?

The past few weeks have been full on, as our daughter Aimee became very unwell whilst in the later stages of her second pregnancy (she is much better now), and this meant being there for our family as a priority.

Apologies if I missed your messages, calls, events and posts over this time.

From the baby sprinkle, to speaking on a panel titled ‘Unlocking Opportunities: Empowering SME/MSMEs for Growth and Investment in ASEAN’, then the Australia – ASEAN Business Forum dinner, I appreciate the kind feedback on the panel (see image below) and the cutest compliment from our grandson, Cole. He said, “Nanna Wend, you look like a princess, just like Mummy”, then onto the gala ball with Cole’s confidence, where he hung out at home with his Ace, Scott Perry.

Got glammed up for the Premier’s Business & Export Awards with Peter Malinauskas, cohosted with the South Australian Business Chamber where I totally enjoyed the experience of judging some of the export award categories. Thanks to Jana Raslan from J Glow & Co. for my lovely makeup & Hair by Jodie for my blow wave & style – such a fun night

Nanna Wend adventures such as planes, trains and playgrounds helped to wrangle the 2.75 year old grandson and keep him entertained, then on Wednesday 10 September 2025 we got the news that we had been waiting for…

“A cute button nose, brown curls, delicate fingers, a loving big brother, Mummy & Daddy – congratulations Aimee, Dan and Cole on the safe arrival of Bonnie Anne Squire pictured above. Ace and Nanna Wend will always be there for you & love you 4 lots xxxx “

Our granddaughter is a bundle of joy, very alert with the cutest cuddles, where all are healthy and well, thanks to Photos by Kim.

Appreciate you indulging me in sharing this personal news and now onto the events and work topics.

Lunch Together – Back of the Napkin

Locally we are celebrating Small Business Week so I might see you at, A Safe Harbour for SA: Resilience & Risk for Small Business; COSBOA Industry Networking featuring Small Business PEAK Research Unveiling; and the 2025 South Australian Training Awards.

Now could we please have lunch together next Wednesday, October 1 · 12 – 2pm ACST at the Lord Melbourne Hotel in North Adelaide? Get tickets here and check out more events on the Switch Start Scale blog.

Spring into the Season Getting Market Ready & Online Sharp

It is coming – spring in the air, daylight stretching, and festivals & markets gearing up across regional South Australia, now is the perfect moment to sharpen up your stall offers and your online presence. If you’re a stallholder, maker, or small business across Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Yorke Peninsula, Copper Coast, Port Pirie / Mid North, Jamestown, Peterborough, Melrose etc., this season brings opportunity … if you prepare well.

Here are practical steps, ideas & reminders to help you make the most of spring & summer sales — whether face-to-face or online.

JB Wines

We are sharing with you an exclusive presale of Nicolai Road Shiraz 2023 #wine – an exceptional representation of premium viticulture, ideal for an event, special occasion (like the birth of a new grandchild which we’ve just experienced), or ‘just because’ with a pre-sale price of $30/bottle (discounted from $55/bottle).

Please get in contact with JB Wines for more information and tell Joe that we sent you Email joe@jbwines.com and check out https://www.jbwines.com/, thank you!

First Nations Business Showcase 2025

The Circle – First Nations Entrepreneur Hub is proud to present the First Nations Business Showcase 2025 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in The Arena.

This event will showcase over 100 of South Australia’s diverse and vibrant First Nations business sector to industry, the private sector and all levels of Government and non-Government organisations.

On Tuesday, 14 October, 10am – 2:30pm ACDT, at The Arena, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Hindmarsh SA, Australia, get free tickets – Register Now!

Australia’s VET System and America’s Talent Strategy: Building Workforce Development for the AI Era

On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education announced a landmark partnership. Adult Education, Perkins CTE, and WIOA programs are now streamlined through an Integrated State Plan Portal, with the Department of Labor as the central hub. This builds on the recently released America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age, which highlights the need to prepare workers for emerging industries, especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.