Supporting small business owners with tailored, confidential and free wellbeing coaching to build resilience, confidence and clarity for every day.
Small business owners can receive free and confidential emotional coaching and wellbeing support.
Support for you, not just your business
The Small Business Wellbeing Support service offers free and confidential wellbeing support to small business owners in Southern Queensland.
Whether you are navigating personal or professional pressures, our Small Business Wellbeing Coaches will work with you to understand your unique needs, helping you reduce stress, improve overall wellbeing and connect with flexible support. Our free services support metro, regional and rural small business owners across Southern Queensland, offering both face-to-face and virtual consultations.
How we can help
- Stress management – tailored support to address the sources of stress in your personal and professional life
- Mental well-being support – guidance to help build healthy self-care practices and a better work life balance
- Confidence and self-esteem – guidance to develop tools and resources to help you build self-confidence and challenge negative self-belief, while improving communication and decision-making capacity
- Performance and productivity – address and overcome barriers to productivity, set clear goals and, encourage innovation and adaptability.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for Small Business Wellbeing Support, if all the following criteria apply
- a business must be based in Queensland or have a substantial business presence in Queensland
- employ fewer than 20 full time equivalent employees (you may have more than 20 part time employees)
- have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have actively traded within the last three months
- not be deemed a hobby business
- have an annual turnover of under $10 million
- have your small business as your primary income source (i.e. 50% or more of your total income)
- be a small business owner experiencing low intensity (common and reversible) mental health challenges.
Outcomes focussed services
Free service
Our wellbeing support is totally free, with no additional payments.
Qualified Coaches
Our Wellbeing Coaches are qualified in psychology, counselling or behavioural science.
One-to-one support
You’ll receive one-to-one wellbeing support delivered by one Wellbeing Coach.
Customised to you
We’ll work together to reduce your stress, improve wellbeing and develop strategies for the future.
Contact us early
Early action can help you access support before financial challenges grow.
No medical referral
You don’t need a medical referral. Our service isn’t connected to Medicare or mental health plans.
Different ways to chat
Talk with us on the phone or video call. Based in Southeast Queensland? We can also chat in person.
Supportive environment
We work with the small business community to foster a proactive approach to mental health support.
The support provided by a Small Business Wellbeing Coach is not clinical and does not include prescribing medical aids. If it’s identified that your needs exceed the support available from a coach, you will be connected with a suitable support service.
Signs it might be time to talk
The pressures of running a business can build gradually and, because everyone handles stress differently it is important to be aware of the early warning signs. Pay attention to any red flags that indicate your mental health, or the health of your employees, needs to be prioritised.
Work-related indicators
- Not meeting deadlines
- Not working to your usual standards
- Withdrawing from staff
- Having trouble concentrating
- Feeling less engaged than usual
- Feeling worthless or like a failure
- Being absent from work
Personal indicators
- Feeling irritable, nervous, angry, anxious or worried
- Feeling depressed or low in energy
- Having trouble sleeping
- Sleeping too much
- Waking up and having difficulty getting back to sleep
- Experiencing weight or appetite changes
- Consuming more alcohol or other substances
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Experiencing panic attacks
- Having emotional or aggressive outbursts
- Engaging in destructive behaviour
You should seek assistance if you have noticed a change in your feelings, thoughts or behaviour that:
- lasts for more than a few weeks
- affects your relationships and ability to work, learn or socialise
- prevents you from participating in activities you’ve previously enjoyed.
Learn more – FAQs
Who is wellbeing coaching for?
Wellbeing coaching is for eligible small business owners who are not currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. Our service can help you to improve your overall wellbeing, build positive habits, manage everyday pressures, and create a better work-life balance.
What is wellbeing support?
Small Business Wellbeing Support services provide a free and confidential low intensity, early intervention mental health support for small business owners experiencing mild symptoms, also known as common and reversible/situational distress. The support provided by Wellbeing Coaches is not clinical and does not include prescribing medical aids. If it’s identified that your needs exceed the support available from a coach, you’ll be referred to an appropriately licenced clinician. Please note that the Small Business Wellbeing Support service is not a crisis support service.
How is coaching provided by the Small Business Wellbeing Support service different to clinical support provided by psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals?
Clinical support assesses, diagnoses and treats mental illness.
Coaching is present and future focussed, aimed at supporting individuals improve their overall wellbeing.
What happens in the first session?
Your first session is simply a conversation. Your Wellbeing Coach will take the time to listen, understand your situation and help you identify the suitable next right step.
How many coaching sessions will I need?
Wellbeing coaching is intended to be short term, focussed on providing low intensity support. It should not be viewed as, or considered, a long term or ongoing support service.
Do you provide business support or business coaching?
Small Business Wellbeing Support is focussed specifically on supporting eligible small business owners experiencing stress, overwhelm or anxiety due to challenges relating to business or personal life.
Business support is available from Small Business Financial Counselling Service (SBFCS) Southern Queensland
Meet our Small Business Wellbeing Coaches
Get in touch today to access tailored, confidential and free wellbeing support.
Katherine Watson
Southern Queensland
Supporting all Southern Queensland areas:
- in-person support in South East Queensland
- telephone and video calls in all Southern Queensland.
Toowoomba Office
0429 370 116
katherine.watson@sbfcssq.org.au
Martin McGlone
Southern Queensland
Supporting all Southern Queensland areas:
- in-person support in South East Queensland
- telephone and video calls in all Southern Queensland.
Brisbane Office
0400 738 911
martin.mcglone@sbfcssq.org.au
Sandra O’Neill
Southern Queensland
Supporting all Southern Queensland areas:
- in-person support in South East Queensland
- telephone and video calls in all Southern Queensland.
Brisbane Office
0428 144 618
sandra.oneill@sbfcssq.org.au
Have a general enquiry?
Get in touch if you have an enquiry about our Small Business Wellbeing Support service.
Other pages you might like
Find out about our free and confidential financial counselling.
Make a time to talk with a Wellness Coach or Financial Counsellor.
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Funding Partners
BRS T/A Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and by the State of Queensland through the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business (CDSB) and we are delivering these services on their behalf.
