Recent Local Tea and Coffee and Chat sessions in Kapunda, Moonta and Port Pirie brought together people with business ideas, established small business owners, local leaders and regional support organisations.
Wendy Perry joined Tracy Wilson for Local Tea in Kapunda, caught up with Mid North Job Coordinator Lisa Brock over coffee in Moonta, and hosted another Local Tea at Sweet Icings by JJ in Port Pirie. A special thank you goes to Jackie and the Sweet Icings team for providing such a welcoming local venue.
These conversations highlighted the value of meeting other business owners, sharing information and making introductions. They also uncovered interest in several practical opportunities.
Try the AI Small Business Plan Tool
Sea to Valley Startups and Switch Start Scale are testing an AI-supported Small Business Plan Tool to help people work through their business idea, customers, products and services, marketing, operations and finances.
Regional business owners are invited to help test the tool and provide feedback. To express interest, contact Sea to Valley Startups and a brief description of your business or idea.
Become a Practical Expert
People with substantial industry, technical, professional or community experience may also be interested in the developing Workforce Architects network.
It connects Practical Experts who have led change, solved problems, delivered projects or built capability with well-defined opportunities in Australia and internationally. Expertise may come from business, trades, education, health, disability, agriculture, workforce development, tourism, technology, government or regional development.
Connect with local business networks
The Kapunda Business Alliance offers networking, workshops, newsletters, promotion and business listings. Annual membership is $50 for sole traders and not-for-profits, $75 for businesses with fewer than 10 employees, $100 for larger businesses and $30 for associate members outside Kapunda.
Business Port Pirie provides networking, promotion, events, a member directory and the local gift voucher program. General membership is $99 per year, with promotional membership available for $299 and higher-level ambassador packages from $1,500.
Lisa Brock’s Coffee and Chat sessions and Jobs and Skills Network meetings connect employers, training and employment providers and community organisations. Contact Lisa on 0449 671 183 or lisa@usgemployment.com.au, follow Local Jobs Mid North SA or visit the Mid North Local Jobs page.
Business programs, grants and events
Self-Employment Assistance offers eligible new and existing micro-business owners business planning, accredited training, advice sessions, health checks and coaching. Locally, support is available through Sea to Valley Startups.
Other useful opportunities include:
- South Australia’s Women in Business Program
- the AI Capability Pilot Program for businesses with fewer than 20 full-time-equivalent employees
- a free TAFE SA introductory AI course
- Small Business Week, running from 17–21 August 2026
- the Australian Government’s Grants and Programs Finder
- Northern and Yorke Landscape Board grants.
Regional businesses should also follow both RDA Yorke and Mid North and RDA Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains for local events, grants, workforce initiatives, investment information and business opportunities.
The Switch Start Scale blog provides a broader roundup of South Australian business and innovation events. People interested in practical AI applications can also follow the Australian Artificial Intelligence Industry Group.
Employment, disability and student connections
Parent Pathways provides free, voluntary mentoring and financial support for eligible parents and carers of children under six. Information about Inclusive Employment Australia and other employment services is available through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Baptcare provides NDIS Local Area Coordination across Yorke and the Mid North on 1800 960 595. The South Australian NDIS partner directory provides further regional contacts.
Businesses can also host an Adelaide University student for a placement, internship or defined project in areas such as marketing, business analysis, IT, data, finance, design or customer experience.
Finally, keep talking, connecting and referring. A conversation over coffee may lead to a new customer, collaborator, adviser, employee or opportunity and regional businesses are stronger when useful information is shared.