NBIS 2026: Branding for Small Business - Build Consistency, Confidence and Clarity

The Nillumbik Business Ignite Series (NBIS) is a two week program of high impact workshops, keynote speakers and networking events designed to support and grow Nillumbik’s business community.

This practical workshop supports small and home-based businesses who are actively promoting themselves but feel unclear or inconsistent in how they present their brand.

Facilitated by Justine Malone, a trained graphic designer and brand strategist with over seventeen years of experience working across global and independent brands, this session introduces brand strategy in a grounded and accessible way.

Branding is often misunderstood. It is not just a logo, colour palette or social media feed. Strong brands are built on clarity, consistency and alignment between vision, audience and message.

Participants will explore:

• What branding actually is and how it differs from marketing

• Why brands do not fail — they drift

• The foundations of brand strategy, including vision, mission, audience and tone

• How audience clarity shapes messaging and positioning

• The role of personality and consistency in building trust

• Understanding brand tension and identifying pressure points

Through guided reflection and workbook activities, participants will leave with clearer brand foundations, practical tools and greater confidence in how they communicate their business.

No prior branding experience is required.

The NBIS is presented by Council in partnership with your local Bendigo Community Bank branches of Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and Eltham.

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