Various people from businesses and community enterprises attended a Samford Sustainable Business Network gathering on 26 March 2025 to hear ‘mysterious’ enterprises present their sustainability story.

The mystery was knowing who would be presenting, as only a few simple clues were provided in the event invitation. Attendees were keen to discover WHO was creating positive impacts in their business and community, HOW they went about it and WHAT they had achieved.

The mystery enterprises

At the event, the mystery was solved. Representatives of three local enterprises presented their approach, tactics, aims and results and answered questions from the audience. There would have been four enterprises, but unfortunately, one of the presenters had to cancel due to family illness.

The three mystery enterprises that presented on the night were:

1. Promotion Products – a national brand merchandising company that recently attained carbon-neutral status. Presenter: Doug.
2. Samford Patisserie & Café – a popular ‘famous’ local bakery and cafe that celebrated its 30th birthday last year. Presenter: Anthony
3. Samford Farmers Hall – a historic (100-year-old) community-owned venue in the heart of Samford, which was the venue for the network event. Presenters: Volker and Natia.

Key strategies and learning points

Each of the three enterprises has faced different challenges and opportunities relative to their industry type, size, operations and goals. The presenters talked about how they approached these, and the various initiatives they had taken. The following list brings together some of the discussion points they or the audience raised during the event.

• Do lots of small things: Simple changes make a difference, no matter how small. These include things like reducing unnecessary packaging, changing to low-energy lights, providing alternatives to plastic bottled water, and turning off unused equipment
• Support the community: Recycle or donate useful ‘waste’ to people who can use it. For example, Samford Patisserie has a ‘free for all’ table with food waste suitable for composting, coffee grounds, egg cartons and other items. Local people snap these up! Meanwhile, Samford Farmers Hall supports many local community events and encourages hall hirers to minimise and manage their waste.
• Improve the supply chain: Use local suppliers where possible. For instance, Samford Patisserie buys vegetables, meat and general supplies from shops just a few doors down. Promotion Products audited its supply chain to assess suppliers’ sustainability (e.g. transport, materials, energy, workplace conditions, ethics, waste, packaging, product quality). They tried self-assessment but found formal accreditation schemes are a better way to assess genuine sustainability. The company has changed suppliers where needed, and makes a point of promoting the most sustainable suppliers to customers via a range of eco-friendly products
• Use renewable energy: Change to an energy supplier that uses renewable energy, and install rooftop solar panels if possible. Of course, for organisations that lease their premises, this can be easier said than done!
• Prove compliance: Attain relevant, authoritative eco credentials and certification, to avoid greenwashing. For example, Promotion Products has ISO:14001 certification and Carbon Neutral status. The process of attaining these is valuable, as it provides a clear incentive to measure and improve performance. You can use Green Street tools such as the Sustainability Roadmap and Planning Tools to plan and communicate initiatives.
• Educate and advocate: Spread the word – tell people what you are doing and encourage suppliers and customers to make more sustainable choices. For example, Promotion Products discourages clients from buying cheap giveaways, moving them towards ‘Better Choice’ products. The ‘swag’ (Stuff We All Get) at events often ends up in the bin shortly after, so promoters will get better results by choosing items that last longer and are genuinely useful. As another example, Samford Patisserie provides recycling stations for take-away coffee cups, which helps raise awareness and change customer habits. And last but not least, the Samford Farmers Hall is in a great position to educate hall users about how to run more sustainable events, creating a ripple effect in the community.

About the Samford Sustainable Business Network

The Samford Sustainable Business Network is an initiative under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Samford Valley, supported by the City of Moreton Bay Council and the Samford & Districts Chamber of Commerce. Facilitated by Green Street, the Network brings people together to promote sustainable strategies and share ideas. Members connect via local events and the Samford SBN Group in Green Street’s Community. The Network is open to any enterprise operating in the 4520 postcode area that wants to improve sustainability. This includes start-ups, established businesses and community enterprises.

There is also a Redcliffe Sustainable Business Network group for enterprises on Brisbane’s Redcliffe Peninsula. Interested in something similar for your area? Find out more about Sustainable Business Networks.