Many small business owners are sole operators and value time to talk to others and expand their work worlds.

Business owner Chris Dobbin, of qubeSocial, has been running a business breakfast networking group Referrals Over Breakfast in Ballarat for the past six months.

It has now moved to become an online fortnightly meeting called 'Staying Connected' using video conferencing tool Zoom.

"Through adversity come opportunities to try new things and create a positive from what you can control," Mr Dobbin said.

"It's never been more important to connect and create trusted communities.

"Some businesses have had to close, others are on the brink, so if we can bring business owners together in an online, safe environment, we can start to build that connected community of like-mindedness, openness and support which is crucial in the present moment."

Nicole Ashby, of High-Profit Media, took part in the first Staying Connected call last fortnight.

"I didn't know who would be on the call or how many people would show up for the first one, but I was pleasantly surprised and made some great new business connections," she said.

Phi Dickson, of Ingot Media, said business owners shared tips about surviving, and even prospering, in this new world of work during the online meeting.

"For a small/micro business operator, like myself, now more than ever it's vital to reach out to our peers, our colleagues, our clients, and even our competitors," she said.

"If I had come in feeling defeated, by the time it was over, I was full of optimism."

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION:

The Ballarat Business and Coffee Group has also moved its meeting of female business owners to the online sphere and is discussing opportunities and challenges faced as a result of the worldwide pandemic.

Business coach, copywriter and solo mum Dorothy Krajewski started Ballarat Business and Coffee in 2014 to combat the isolation she felt as a business owner working from home.

"It was so important for me to talk to other adults during the week, as I'm a single mum and most of my client communication is by email," Ms Krajewski said.

"A lot of the women I work with really appreciate the opportunity to be able to attend a women-only event."

Ballarat Business and Coffee meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Visit ballaratbusinessandcoffee.com.au for more information.

Business owners can register to participate in the next Referrals Over Breakfast Staying Connected Zoom call at referralsoverbreakfast.com/events/

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