Small businesses are still feeling the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic, more than a year on, and it's taking a toll on confidence.
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Suzanne Jones, of Essential Aromatherapy, pivoted after the shut-down, but said it's hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
"We've been working 12-14 hour days, seven days a week, just to keep the door open," she said.
"We're a health and wellness business so our bread and butter were our services. We were fortunate we could pivot to more of a cafe style business, but we want to continue the work that was the reason we started our business in the first place.
"We juggle two children and a relationship like everyone else; it's been the most stressful period of our lives. Every time there's a scare customers are less; you're constantly hearing of people who's business has closed."
Ms Jones is not alone. Business NSW conducted a study that shows business confidence in the Illawarra has fallen has fallen in the first quarter of 2021.
The survey, conducted throughout March, showed more Illawarra businesses expected profits to be down (52 percent) than up (16 percent), and that most (72 percent) were expecting staff numbers to remain the same.
"Given the data was collected in the lead up to the cessation of JobKeeper, this data ... is concerning, but not totally unexpected," said Business Illawarra Executive Director, Adam Zarth.
"With positive signs of a broader economic recovery, Business Illawarra agrees that it is time to move from subsidising employment via Jobseeker and to start encouraging spending and allowing the economy to stand on its own feet."
Ms Jones said there was a need for targeted support now JobKeeper has wound up.
"We hear stories every day of people in worse positions than us," she said.
"A focus on buying local and maybe some government initiatives for advertising to make small businesses more visible. Some industries, like the travel industry still need that JobKeeper support.
"For now we're moving forward with a big breath and keeping our fingers crossed."
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