Nillumbik & Banyule Home-Based Business Forum 2025

Join Nillumbik Shire Council and Banyule City Council for an engaging and inspiring event tailored for home-based entrepreneurs.

This half-day forum is your opportunity to step away from the usual routine and into a space designed to inspire and connect. Hear from expert speakers, engage in practical roundtables, and connect with others navigating the same path of building and growing a business from home.

Keynote Presentation – Jenn Donovan

The AI Advantage: How to Simplify, Streamline and Elevate Your Home-Based Business

Author, speaker and digital marketing strategist Jenn Donovan will share simple, smart ways to make AI work for your business. Expect practical tools, live demos and a clear path to cutting through the noise. Jenn is the host of the Small Business Made Simple podcast and author of Small Town Big Impact.

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Guest Speaker – Melanie Nolan, Founder & CEO, Naternal Vitamins

From Lounge Room Startup to 7-Figure Success

Local founder Melanie Nolan built a national supplement brand from her Eltham North living room. In this honest and inspiring session, she unpacks what it really takes to grow a business from home, from content strategy, customer trust to risk-taking, burnout, motherhood and balancing business with wellbeing. Expect practical insights, raw reflections and a relatable local success story.

Breakout Round tables

Take part in rotating breakout sessions covering a range of key business topics. Examples include social media and marketing, finance essentials, and balancing business with wellness. These intimate roundtables are hosted by experienced facilitators and offer practical, peer-driven learning in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Event Highlights

• Coffee and networking with light refreshments on arrival

• Inspiring expert speaker sessions

• Catered lunch and networking

• Local council business support on site

• Interactive roundtable breakout sessions

• Opportunity to promote your business

• Local hamper door prize giveaway

Tickets

$25 per person plus booking fee.

Spaces are limited, please book early.

Why Attend?

Walk away with actionable strategies, AI-driven insights, and new local connections to help you work smarter, market better, and grow with confidence in today’s changing business landscape. This forum isn’t just about learning, it’s about building genuine connections and feeling supported by a like-minded community. Don’t miss the chance to take your business to the next level in a supportive and collaborative environment.