For eight years, Creative Plus Business has been at the forefront of transforming the careers of creative professionals across New South Wales. Through a forward-thinking partnership with Service NSW’s Business Connect program. This collaboration showcases the profound impact government procurement can have when working together with social enterprises, illustrating how procurement teams can look beyond just value for money and embrace long term, purpose-driven partnerships that create lasting community benefits.

Tailored support for creative industries

Creative Plus Business, a certified social enterprise, specialises in providing mentorship and education tailored to the unique needs of the creative sector. With a dedicated team of seven staff and 30 consultants, they focus on two key areas:

• Business advisory: A team of 15 expert mentors provides personalised support, helping creatives turn their passion into profitable enterprises.
• Education: Workshops cover essential topics like financial management, marketing, and wellbeing equipping creatives with the tools for sustained success.

To date, Creative Plus Business has supported over 7,000 creative professionals across NSW, achieving an impressive 99% client recommendation rate. As Monica Davidson, Director of Creative Plus Business, explains,

“Many creatives struggle to have their work taken seriously. The education we provide builds capacity, increases commercial success, and helps creatives thrive.”

Service NSW's commitment to impact

Creative Plus Business is the only industry-specific service provider within Service NSW's Business Connect program, making it a vital resource for creative professionals across the state. By providing support to both urban and rural communities, Creative Plus Business ensures its impact reaches all corners of NSW.

Monica Davidson highlights the value of the social enterprise model:

“The social enterprise model is rich, innovative, and community focused. We exist to benefit our community, operating in an ethical and transparent way. It’s a wonderful thing for governments to get involved with.”

Social enterprises operate across a wide variety of industries and bring innovation to the services they offer. Their diverse range of solutions allows them to address both societal and environmental challenges while meeting business needs. This adaptability makes them key drivers of both economic and social value.

The NSW Government’s support for Creative Plus Business demonstrates the potential for social enterprises to deliver industry-specific services that create lasting community benefits. This partnership highlights Service NSW’s commitment to fostering relationships with social enterprises, recognising the unique value they provide through their specialised services.

Long-term contract and lasting impact

The NSW Government has recognised Creative Plus Business’s success, awarding them a second contract through June 2025. This long-term contract solidifies the partnership and provides Creative Plus Business with the stability needed to continue supporting the creative sector. “The long-term contract provides us with stability and reassures creatives that we are here for them,” Monica adds. “It gives us a solid foundation to continue making an impact.”

The ongoing partnership between Creative Plus Business and Service NSW’s Business Connect program illustrates how building long-term relationships with social enterprises can create sustainable and meaningful change. By committing to extended contracts, procurement teams like Service NSW can unlock deeper social impact, benefiting both communities and the economy. "There's no other program like Creative Plus Business in Australia,” Monica adds.

“Our partnership with the NSW Government shows that government and social enterprises can work together to create sustainable, lasting impact.”

With their continued growth under this partnership, Creative Plus Business remains committed to uplifting the creative community across NSW.