Where the idea started.
In Jan 2021, in conjunction with Local Impact, (formerly known as the Inner West Community Foundation) and the West Footscray Traders Association, Athena and Andy rolled out The Help Desk that set out to find the critical issues affecting people in small business, with a focus on;
- Business Adaptation: Helping traders pivot their services to meet the “new normal”
- Peer Support: Reducing the isolation felt by business owners through direct connection.
- Mental Health: Recognising that business health is inseparable from the mental well-being of the person running it
What we learnt along the way
The key findings were that isolation, and anxiety, were major contributors to peoples worries, which directly affected their ability to do their best work. Without the regular contact with peers, business owners had become overwhelmed with the rapidly changing environment. To address the overwhelming “information fatigue” and the sense of isolation, what was done to help;
- Deep Community Listening & Research: We didn’t guess what was needed; we asked. We conducted in-depth interviews with 18 business owners and surveyed a further 25 local traders.
- Breaking Isolation Through Connection: We worked directly with the West Footscray Traders Association to revitalise peer support networks. This effort successfully brought 11 new members into the association.
- Practical, Recordable Education: We ran a series of “No-Nonsense” workshops designed to solve the top pain points identified in our research; Grant Writing and SEO & Digital Marketing.
The Evolution: The Business Club pilot program.
In mid 2021 during lockdown they created the ‘Business Club’ pilot program funded by Inner West Community Foundation. Where people gathered online to discuss current challenges, and to begin reconnecting. These meetups proved the theory, that peer level conversation normalise the business challenges, and helped solve immediate issues.
We had laughs, tears, and a swag of wins which stemmed from new connections within the group.
It was a hit.
Not only that, but it has led to profitable business outcomes and collaborations for people between businesses and not for profits.
Where to next…
It seems obvious, that better mental health, means better business and economic development of the community. Yet, it is a challenge to find groups that do just that with a business led focus.
So in 2022 Ground Level was created, by Andy and Athena as The Good Machine (formerly In Other Good News) and Tech Lever initiative, with the simple premise that; If you have a healthy headspace, you can make better decisions in business and in life.
With people continuing to join and grow the Ground Level community, in early 2025 the two cofounders formed Ground Level Unlimited Pty Ltd.
We are building towards becoming an independent social enterprise to support positive mental health outcomes and economic development of communities by establishing hyperlocal hubs nation-wide.
"If you have a healthy headspace, you can make better decisions in business and in life."
— Andy and Athena