Monday May 12, 2025

Business in the Bush with Julia Spicer OAM

In this episode of Small Business Big Stories, Julia Spicer OAM, founder of Engage and Create Consulting and former Chief Entrepreneur of Queensland, shares her inspiring journey of building sustainable businesses and vibrant communities in rural Australia. Julia joins Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb, to discuss the art of regional entrepreneurship, resilience in business, and the unique challenges and opportunities found outside city centers. Highlighting the importance of local networks, financial literacy, and strategic planning, Julia provides insightful advice on how businesses can thrive regardless of their location. Plus, Julia introduces "The Connection Table," an innovative platform promoting regional diversity in leadership and decision-making roles.

Key Topics and Themes

Starting a business from necessity during a drought
The unique power and potential of regional entrepreneurship
Overcoming logistical and financial challenges in remote areas
The critical role of networks, visibility, and storytelling
Creating viable and vibrant communities through strategic consulting
Succession planning in non-agricultural rural businesses
Building The Connection Table to amplify regional voices in leadership

About Our Guest

Julia Spicer OAM is a rural business strategist, community builder, and founder of Engage and Create Consulting. With a passion for sustainable regional growth, Julia has helped hundreds of small businesses and not-for-profits thrive. She also co-founded The Connection Table, a national platform advocating for greater regional representation in leadership. Julia served as Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur and is celebrated for her relentless drive, practical wisdom, and commitment to local impact.

Key Takeaways

Start with the skills you already have: Julia’s business began with her recognising and leveraging her workshop and project management experience.
Success isn’t always scale: For Julia, financial stability and local impact matter more than growing a team of 50.
Resilience is regional: Overcoming illness, drought, and remoteness, Julia demonstrates that strong networks and purpose-driven work make all the difference.
Financial literacy and planning matter: Understanding your finances and planning for succession are crucial for long-term viability.
Diverse voices, better decisions: With The Connection Table, Julia is amplifying regional leadership to shape better policies and outcomes.

Links and Resources

Time-Stamped Key Points

00:05 – Introduction to Julia Spicer and her unexpected fact: 67 free-range guinea pigs!
01:13 – How Engage and Create Consulting started in drought-stricken Goondiwindi
02:59 – Julia’s first brush with business: building a consulting arm inside a not-for-profit
04:30 – Lessons from a childhood on the farm during tough times
05:22 – Advice for launching a business in remote areas
06:46 – Why rural and urban business challenges are more similar than they seem
07:40 – The $200,000 gap: regional entrepreneurs face more cost and time to launch
09:00 – Defining success without needing to scale just for scale’s sake
10:35 – Creating local jobs by hiring women with underutilised skills
12:13 – Julia’s battle with breast cancer and the resilience of her network
14:49 – Julia’s essential tips for all business owners
16:40 – The importance of financial literacy and early succession planning
17:55 – How to successfully start a consulting business in a rural area
19:25 – Julia’s business mantra: viable and vibrant communities
20:14 – The Connection Table: fostering regional diversity in decision-making
21:12 – Final reflections and call to action from Dominique

🎧 Don’t miss this inspiring and practical episode filled with rural wisdom, resilience, and real business tips. Tune in now on your favourite podcast platform.

📢 Produced by The Podcast Boss