EP 46 | More Than a Trophy: The Australian Small Business Champion Awards and the Heart of Community

Matthew Manahan, a talented actor and performer, found himself on an unexpected journey that led him from the stage to the inner workings of Precedent Productions, the company behind the prestigious Australian Small Business Champion Awards. He was introduced to Steve Loe, the founder of Precedent Productions, who was also a keen supporter of the arts, after a theatrical show wrapped up and with no immediate acting gigs on the horizon. Matthew joined Precedent Productions, starting in an administrative role, and his initial tasks included the meticulous and arduous process of hand-scanning over 50,000 archival images. This behind-the-scenes work, coupled with his background in the performing arts and his keen eye for storytelling, set the stage for a new and audacious project that would showcase the profound impact of the awards - the Champions book. His challenge was to find a creative way to encapsulate the rich history and human stories that defined the Australian Small Business Champion Awards. Matthew and the team at Precedent Productions have been part of a monumental project - the creation of Champions: The Legacy That Shaped Small Business for a Nation, a premium, pictorial and inspirational coffee table book that celebrates the history of the awards. The book was born from an accidental moment - Matthew, in a clumsy error, sent an email with the wrong documents, including his boss Steve Loe's personal banking details. Though he feared being fired, Steve instead noticed Matthew's creative and persuasive writing in the email and tasked him with creating a sponsorship proposal book. What was initially a six-month project evolved into a three-year endeavour, resulting in an opulent publication that showcases the triumphs, struggles, and real-world impact of small business owners. The book, which has been described as a laudable addition to any collection of Australian works, aims to inspire readers and provide an honest look at the lives of business owners. It captures the personal stories of those who have won the coveted Champion statuette, exploring their journeys and the financial, communal, and economic effects the award has had on their lives. This project has allowed Matthew to leverage his storytelling skills to honour the legacy of the awards, while also providing a valuable resource for small business owners and a testament to the life-changing power of recognition. Message from Matthew "Don't sweat the small stuff," Matthew advises, a lesson he learned from his own accidental career pivot. He believes there is always a solution, even when faced with a heart-sinking moment like sending your boss's banking details to a group of people. This experience taught him to trust the process and embrace the unpredictable journey of life and career. Matthew also encourages businesses entering the Small Business Champion Awards to share their true story, not just their financial success. "We're also looking for the heart of your community," he explains, urging people to focus on their involvement, their staff, and their value system. He cautions against using AI to write award submissions, noting that the judges "can smell it a mile away". Instead, he suggests using it as a tool for structure and then "put it in your own words" to ensure the genuine, human element shines through. "We get you guys," Matthew states, highlighting the awards' focus on the Australian small business community. He notes that the free resources and marketing materials provided to finalists and winners are a direct reflection of the team's understanding of small business needs. "We would want the same in return," he says, reinforcing the program's commitment to championing and rewarding hard-working entrepreneurs. For more information and to enter the Small Business Champion Awards, go to: https://www.championawards.com.au/ For more information about the book or to become a sponsor of the awards, go to: Precedent Productions: https://www.precedent.net/