Grant recipients buzzing during Queensland Small Business Month

As part of Queensland’s Small Business Month (QSBM), we’re celebrating dynamic local businesses that are taking their Queensland products global.

Jill and John Richards’s sweet products include manuka honey under their Nature’s Gold brand, as well as their ‘John and Jill’ presentation boxes that contain 99% manuka honey and 1% Australian native bee propolis – which is becoming a much sought-after commodity across South East Asia.

Honeybiz Australia plans now to break into the buzzing South Korean market with support from Trade and Investment Queensland’s (TIQ) New Market eCommerce Program.

The program will help 41 Queensland companies take their products and services to the world and support expanding international eCommerce opportunities into key new markets for these businesses.

The matched funding grants of up to $15,000 help Queensland businesses overcome common exporting barriers faced when entering new eMarkets, including accreditation, logistics and consumer research.

Honeybiz Australia is targeting the South Korean market with its premium quality manuka honey and propolis throat spray and its ‘Seal and Heal’ spray, designed to assist wounds on the skin.

They also expect their lozenges and a new product Marco – a spray which protects and repair wounds on animals - to be especially popular with online customers in South Korea.

Honeybiz Australia previously received a TIQ Go Global Export Program grant to enter the Japanese market in 2023.

TIQ helps connect recipients to clients through its extensive international trade network to simplify navigation of local languages, regulations and make valuable introductions.

Jill Richards, CEO of Honeybiz Australia, said TIQ’s program funding and support was critical to their push overseas.

“As an exporter with our eye on South Korea we needed some support to begin our export journey there,” she said.

“We were really well supported by TIQ’s expert staff when we successfully took our manuka honey and Australian native bee propolis products into Japan last year.

“We look forward to working with TIQ on this eCommerce initiative in South Korea - and again in the future to tackle other international markets as the world continues to show interest in our premium products.”

Trade and Investment Queensland CEO Justin McGowan said Honeybiz Australia was an example of TIQ supporting small, exciting and ambitious Queensland businesses to take their product global.

“The contribution of eCommerce exports to a flourishing Queensland economy is compelling and at TIQ we are committed to supporting the successful export journeys of businesses just like the 41 recipients announced today,” he said.

“Queensland businesses continue to prove that our state produces eCommerce products and services of exceptional quality that are increasingly in demand around the world.

“Ongoing support and investment in our proud Queensland exporters - who cover the state form the Atherton Tablelands through to the Gold Coast - is critical as these businesses show that when we stand behind Queensland exporters they unequivocally deliver.”

Each May, QBSM sets out to highlight, celebrate and support the thousands of small businesses operating across the state.

New Market eCommerce Program Funding Recipients:

About Trade and Investment Queensland

Trade and Investment Queensland is the Queensland Government’s dedicated global business agency with representation in 16 countries, across 21 locations, with 12 Trade and Investment Commissioners covering seven regions around the world. TIQ helps Queensland companies access international markets and facilitates foreign investments in the state. Book a consult with us.