Zest Canberra

09/09/2026

Today is International Equal Pay Day.

A reminder that equal work deserves equal pay. 💜

While progress has been made, pay inequality continues to affect women around the world, influencing not only what they earn today, but their financial security, superannuation and opportunities for the future.

At Zest Canberra, we believe equality in the workplace means recognising people fairly, valuing their contribution and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.

Equal pay isn’t a bonus. It’s part of building workplaces where everyone is valued equally.

09/09/2026

While it's exciting to celebrate new clients, increased sales and business milestones, true success is built over time. Sustainable growth comes from investing in strong relationships, effective leadership, continuous learning and a willingness to adapt as your business evolves.

At Zest Canberra, we're passionate about helping Canberra businesses build those strong foundations. By creating opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from one another, we're helping business owners and professionals develop the skills, confidence and networks that support long-term success and resilience.

No matter what stage your business is at, you don't have to navigate the journey alone. Becoming part of a supportive business community means having access to people who understand your challenges, celebrate your wins and encourage your growth every step of the way.

What does long-term success look like for your business?

If you're looking to strengthen your business and expand your professional network, visit https://zestcanberra.com.au/ to learn more about our community, upcoming events and how you can get involved.

08/09/2026

We’re moving! Well… our page is.

In one week, we’re making a change to where you’ll find Zest Canberra on Facebook.

This current Zest Canberra page will soon become obsolete, and our existing HerZest page will be renamed Zest Canberra and become our new Facebook home.

So, there’s one little thing we need you to do:

👉 Head over to the current HerZest page and hit Follow.

That way, when it changes its name to Zest Canberra, you’ll already be there and won’t miss a thing. From upcoming events and member news to opportunities, resources, advocacy and everything else happening across our Zest community.

And for our HerZest members, The HerZest Circle closed Facebook group is staying exactly where it is and won’t be affected by the change.

We’ll remind you again before moving day, but why wait?

Go and follow HerZest now, because in seven days, it’ll be the new home of Zest Canberra!

07/09/2026

No matter where you are in your business journey, there's always something new to learn. When people come together to share their ideas, experiences and lessons learned, everyone benefits. A simple conversation can provide a fresh perspective, help solve a challenge, uncover a new opportunity or inspire a different way of thinking.

At Zest Canberra, we believe that knowledge grows when it's shared. Our community brings together business owners, professionals and leaders from a wide range of industries, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from one another and build meaningful relationships. Whether you're seeking advice, looking to share your own experiences or simply wanting to connect with like-minded people, there's a place for you within our community.

Every member has something valuable to contribute, and every conversation has the potential to make a positive difference. That's what makes the Zest Canberra community so unique.

What's one piece of business advice that's stayed with you over the years? Share it in the comments. Yyou never know whose business journey you might help shape.

If you'd like to connect, learn and grow alongside Canberra's vibrant business community, visit https://zestcanberra.com.au/ to explore our upcoming events and discover how you can get involved.

07/09/2026

💳 Do you currently pass card surcharges on to your customers?

There’s an important change coming for Australian businesses from 1 October 2026.

Businesses will no longer be able to add a surcharge to cover the cost of customers paying by Visa, Mastercard or eftpos.

For businesses currently passing those costs on, now is the time to think about what the change means for you — and whether you need to review your pricing.

It’s also worth checking the practical stuff. Do your menus, signage, invoices or payment information mention card surcharges? If so, they may need an update before 1 October.

SmartCompany has put together a useful overview of what’s changing, what it means for small businesses and how businesses can prepare.

👇 Have a read and perhaps add this one to your September to-do list: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/card-surcharges-end-october-1-how-business-can-prepare/?utm_campaign=smartco_weekender&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=5Sep26

04/09/2026

🎉 A very special congratulations to our Founder, Raffy Sgroi!

We are incredibly proud to share that Raffy has been inducted onto the ACT Women’s Honour Roll.

The ACT Women’s Honour Roll recognises women who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the Canberra community, and those of us who know Raffy know just how much of herself she has given to supporting, connecting and advocating for others.

Through Zest Canberra, Raffy has created opportunities for local business owners to connect, learn, grow and have their voices heard. She is never afraid to start a conversation, ask the difficult question or make sure small business has a seat at the table.

And while today is about recognising Raffy, we know she’ll probably be the first person to turn around and talk about all the wonderful people around her.

Raffy, congratulations on this very well-deserved recognition and your induction onto the ACT Women’s Honour Roll.

We’re enormously proud of you. And very lucky to have you leading Zest Canberra.

03/09/2026

Making it easier to lease and expand across Australia is a big deal for small business and it’s encouraging to see the Albanese Labor Government taking the next step, with consultation now open on how retail leasing and commercial tenancy rules can be made simpler and easier to navigate.

For many owners, signing a lease is one of the biggest decisions they’ll make. When rules are unclear or inconsistent across states and territories, it can create unnecessary costs, delays and stress especially for micro and small businesses that don’t have in-house legal or HR support. This consultation is looking at where differences in retail leasing rules create confusion (things like disclosure requirements, rent reviews, outgoings, lease transfers, dispute resolution and enforcement), and where greater consistency could help businesses operate and expand more confidently. Importantly, it’s about simplifying existing rules, not forcing identical rules everywhere.

At Zest Business Forum, we’re pleased to see this progress and we strongly encourage business owners, landlords, industry groups and stakeholders to consider making a submission. This issue has been front and centre for years, and it was a key agenda item at a Canberra leaders’ Roundtable I collaborated on with Senator Katy Gallagher. A standout submission on commercial leasing was presented by Tom Adam clear, practical, and exactly the kind of input that helps shape better policy. Thank you Tom!!

Canberra and all Australian small businesses are the heart of our communities and our economy. I’m very pleased to see progress after years of lobbying. Massive thank you to Senator Katy Gallagher for giving us the opportunity, the time, and for organising our Roundtable.
It’s good to see how we can discuss good policies with our local members David Smith, Katy Gallagher, Alicia Payne.
To all the canberra leaders who accepted the invitation, thank you for your time and contribution, looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

Submissions are open via the Treasury Consultation Hub until Monday, 12 October 2026 If leasing rules have ever slowed your growth, added cost, or made expansion feel too hard this is your moment to have your say.

https://consult.treasury.gov.au/c2026-797150

If you’re a business leader and you want to bring your voice to the table, get in touch and be part of the Zest Business Forum. We’re building a strong, practical coalition of local leaders who are ready to advocate for fairer, clearer rules that actually work on the ground.
[email protected]

Treasury is seeking views on where retail tenancy regulations could be aligned across state and territory legislation to improve consistency, transparency and practical outcomes for businesses, landlords and other stakeholders.

03/09/2026

No matter where you are in your business journey, there's always something new to learn. When people come together to share their ideas, experiences and lessons learned, everyone benefits. A simple conversation can provide a fresh perspective, help solve a challenge, uncover a new opportunity or inspire a different way of thinking.

At Zest Canberra, we believe that knowledge grows when it's shared. Our community brings together business owners, professionals and leaders from a wide range of industries, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from one another and build meaningful relationships. Whether you're seeking advice, looking to share your own experiences or simply wanting to connect with like-minded people, there's a place for you within our community.

Every member has something valuable to contribute, and every conversation has the potential to make a positive difference. That's what makes the Zest Canberra community so unique.

What's one piece of business advice that's stayed with you over the years? Share it in the comments. You never know whose business journey you might help shape.

If you'd like to connect, learn and grow alongside Canberra's vibrant business community, visit https://zestcanberra.com.au/ to explore our upcoming events and discover how you can get involved.

01/09/2026

Whether you're just starting out, growing your business or leading an established organisation, your contribution matters. Canberra's business community is made stronger by the passion, innovation and dedication of local businesses that provide essential services, create employment, support local initiatives and help shape the future of our city.

At Zest Canberra, we're proud to celebrate businesses of all sizes and across all industries. We know that every business journey is unique, and we're passionate about creating opportunities for business owners and professionals to connect, learn from one another and celebrate both the milestones and the everyday wins that make running a business so rewarding.

Together, we're building a community where local businesses can grow, collaborate and support one another. Because when Canberra businesses succeed, our whole community benefits.

Tell us about your business! We'd love to know what you do and what you're most passionate about. Introduce yourself in the comments and let's help more people discover the amazing businesses that make Canberra such a vibrant place to live and work.

Ready to become part of a supportive business community? Visit https://zestcanberra.com.au/ to learn more about our events, networking opportunities and how you can get involved.