Westpac has announced an investment in legal and business services provider, Lawpath, and an exclusive partnership to support startups and small-to-medium sized businesses.

Lawpath is an online platform that provides businesses access to affordable legal services, accounting and compliance technology solutions to help meet their needs as they start up and grow.

Westpac Acting Chief Executive, Business & Wealth, Peter Herbert, said this initiative is aligned to the bank’s strategy to support business customers with solutions to help them succeed.

“Lawpath currently supports half a million businesses to set up and grow, helping drive an important sector in the economy.

“As part of the partnership, Lawpath can help Westpac customers make starting and running a business easier, including registering an ABN, setting up a website or accessing expert small business legal services,” he said.

“Our investment in Lawpath aligns with Westpac’s strategy to partner with companies which offer our customers services to help run their business and make the complex simple,” Mr Herbert said.

Lawpath CEO Dominic Woolrych said: “Our ambition is to make the law more accessible to small business and support them with a broad range of services to help them thrive.

“We’ve seen increased demand for our services over the past few years, including in our artificial intelligence solutions which are helping to simplify the complexity of starting and running a business.

“We are delighted to partner with Australia’s oldest bank and company to help more businesses to get started and grow and support growth in the economy,” Mr Woolrych said.

Westpac’s investment in Lawpath builds on their range of partner offers available to business customers and banking solutions aimed at making life easier for small businesses. These include Westpac’s EFTPOS Air app which allows businesses to accept payments anywhere, anytime on a compatible iPhone or Android.

Have you ever considered how Valentine’s Day could inspire your approach to customer relationships in your small business? While the day is traditionally about romance, it’s also a reminder that meaningful connections, whether with a partner or a customer, require effort, understanding and thoughtful actions to thrive and stand the test of time.

Here are my top tips to make customers fall head over heels for your business and build long term connections.

Wear your heart on your sleeve

You know that warm feeling when someone surprises you with flowers or a heartfelt note? Your customers want to feel that same appreciation. By taking the extra effort, whether it’s sending a personalised thank-you email, offering an unexpected discount for loyal customers or knowing their specific preferences, you show them they are not just another transaction.

Using tools that help personalise and streamline your interactions, such as automated follow-ups, appointment reminders or targeted offers, ensures your customers feel valued while making your daily operations more manageable. After all, when your business shows heart, your customers are more likely to return.

The key to your customers’ hearts

You can’t unlock someone’s heart with a one-size-fits-all approach, and your customers are no different. Tailoring your services and listening to feedback is the ultimate love language. When customers feel seen and understood, they are more likely to stick around.

Consider a dental practice that uses automated tools to send friendly reminders for check-ups, personalised messages about a patient’s dental goals or post-appointment surveys to collect feedback.These small yet meaningful touches build trust and loyalty while showcasing genuine care for the customer experience.

With the right systems to track preferences, organise feedback and personalise communication, your business can deliver an experience that makes every customer feel special.

Swipe right on social media

Every good relationship needs communication and social media is where the magic happens. Engaging with your audience, sharing updates and responding to comments builds trust and connection.

Social media management tools can simplify this process by scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and ensuring timely responses. Regular posts help you stay visible and relevant, while timely and accurate responses to comments and messages show you care about building real connections. Sharing behind-the-scenes content gives your audience a glimpse of the people and processes behind your small business, helping to create a sense of trust and authenticity.

Roses are red, reviews are gold

When it comes to relationships, nothing beats a glowing recommendation and the same is true for your small business. Positive reviews are worth their weight in gold. They reassure potential customers that your small business is worth pursuing.

Encourage customers to leave reviews and don’t forget to respond to every review your business receives. A thoughtful response to criticism shows maturity, just like in any great love story. Online reputation management tools can help you track and respond to reviews across platforms, ensuring your small business stays proactive, personal and polished.

This Valentine’s Day, take the opportunity to woo your customers and build a love story worth sharing. With some effort and a lot of heart, you can create lasting relationships that will make your small business the one they always come back to.

By Elise Balsillie Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand

Kwik Kopy Australia, a leader in print, design and large-format marketing solutions, is giving away a transformative opportunity for small businesses to elevate their branding. Starting 3rd February, five lucky small businesses will each win a $5,000-worth branding facelift giveaway as part of Kwik Kopy’s Australia-wide giveaway. As a way of showing their support for local businesses, Kwik Kopy will also provide $500 vouchers as weekly prizes.

The promotion will run for eight weeks, and small businesses are encouraged to submit their entries at WeMakePossible.com.au. To qualify, entrants must share why they believe their business deserves a signage facelift. Each of the five lucky major prize winners will receive an updated branding package that includes large-format materials, such as custom signage, event displays, window decals, office wallpaper and more. The major prize winners will be announced at the end of March.

These prize provisions put forward Kwik Kopy’s commitment of making possible, allowing small businesses to maximise their exposure with professional and up-to-date collateral that attracts their respective target audiences.

Making first impressions last

Installing a visually appealing storefront can go a long way by establishing the legitimacy and credibility of a business. It is an important element that drives interest and foot traffic, leading to revenue generation. As Kwik Kopy comes with decades of experience in large-format printing, they are highly familiar with how the right branding elements can strengthen the reputation of a business.

“A strong first impression makes all the difference for small businesses. It can give them that distinct edge compared to their competitors,” shares Panteha Jadidi, National Marketing Director of Kwik Kopy Australia. “We want to equip small to medium enterprises with the right tools for a brand refresh and to garner their market’s attention. We are excited to see how these facelifts will positively impact their businesses.”          

Importance of effective branding

Businesses can win a combination of small and large-format marketing collateral that go beyond storefront aesthetic appeal. Kwik Kopy will bring its expertise in ensuring the new branding provided establishes a renewed connection with the winners’ customers.

Part of effective branding includes consistency in visual elements to establish an identity. It also communicates to customers the purpose and values of a business. When these are effectively achieved, relationships are built on a foundation of trust with the customer first in mind. Standing out with proper branding allows better visibility and more opportunities to be remembered.

Opportunities to win

Aside from the major prizes, Kwik Kopy’s promotion will also provide smaller prizes with a total worth of $12,000. During each week of the promotion period, Kwik Kopy will randomly select three local businesses to each receive a $500 voucher – totalling 24 vouchers that are up for grabs. Winners will be revealed on Kwik Kopy’s social media channels weekly, so entrants should consistently monitor.

Kwik Kopy Australia has been committed to supporting small businesses for over 40 years. This giveaway is an opportunity to create a community spirit among entrepreneurs and help businesses thrive.

A vocal champion of the power of effective networking, renowned businessman Mark Bouris is among a bevy of mover-shakers backing Boa App – a relatively new and free-to-join networking platform that’s revolutionising the way business owners connect and collaborate.

Fostering productive networking opportunities for businesspeople is at the very heart of Boa’s mission, with a surging community of its members set to participate in a series of networking ‘chapters’ being rolled-out this year across the nation.

With each chapter to comprise a small group of local and likeminded businessowners who’ll have access to monthly networking events, helpful resources, and a private in-app community of peers to cultivate support and spark new ideas, Boa’s first chapter is the Inner Circle.

The Inner Circle will be officially launched on 19 February in Sydney, with a group of Boa’s most highflying guests – such as Zoe Marshall (arise), Jane Lu (Showpo / Shark Tank), Sally Obermeder (SWIISH) and Jeremy Cabral and Fred Schebesta (Finder) – to attend the Inner Circle launch party at Bondi Icebergs.

“The Inner Circle is the first of a series of chapters we’re truly excited to introduce this year because we know these easy-to-join groups will serve to support businessowners in so many ways – from creating human connections to solving challenges and fuelling success,” explains Boa App general manager, Kirsten Scott.

“We’re currently calling for members who are interested in leading local networking chapters as presidents. Importantly, the initiative is deliberately conscious of our members’ busy schedules, and our chapters are designed to be just as enjoyable as they are impactful,” adds Ms Scott.

No longer a mere convenience but now considered a cornerstone of successful business, professional networking apps are big business today, with the global professional networking apps market expected to reach a market size of more than AUD100 billion by 2030[i].

“Most Australian businessowners don’t have access to quality networking. Boa App is breaking down barriers to make premium networking accessible and free for everyone,” says Yellow Brick Road founder and Boa App investor, Mark Bouris.

“Until now, networking has always been reserved for the rich and privileged in Australia. We want to democratise access for all businessowners – big, small and irrespective of gender, age and background. This is a very important mission, and Australia has always been the place of opportunity irrespective of class or birthright, and Boa is bringing that fabric back,” adds Mr Bouris.

BOA App is the brainchild of business networking entrepreneur and Club of United (CUB) founder and CEO, Daniel Hakim.

To learn more about Boa App, visit Boa.App.

Mark Bouris’ Top Ten Tips for Effective Networking:

• Show Up and Be Present: Networking is a skill you develop by being in the room. Commit to attending events and be present – phones down, focus up.

• Lead with Curiosity: Don’t jump straight into what you do – ask questions and take a genuine interest in others. People connect with authenticity, not rehearsed pitches.

• Know Your Value: Have a clear understanding of what you bring to the table and be able to articulate it simply and confidently. A sharp elevator pitch always leaves an impression.

• It’s About Relationships, Not Transactions: Forget quick wins – networking is about building long-term, meaningful relationships that bring value over time.

• Listen More Than You Talk: The best networkers are the best listeners. Be engaged, ask thoughtful follow-up questions, and let others share their story.

• Follow Up with Purpose: Networking doesn’t end when the event does. Follow up with a quick note or invite for coffee to continue the conversation and nurture the connection.

• Be a Connector: The best way to build trust is to help others. If you can connect someone to an opportunity, a person, or an idea, you’ve already added value.

• Have a Strong Online Presence: Networking continues beyond the room. Ensure your LinkedIn and socials reflect who you are and what you do – it’s where connections go to learn more about you.

• Show Consistency: Networking success comes from consistency. Keep showing up, keep adding value, and your network will grow organically.

1. Be Yourself: People connect with people, not titles. Be authentic, relaxed, and open – your best connections will come when you’re just being you.

[i] https://www.htfmarketintelligence.com/report/global-professional-networking-apps-market