Sharon Veness

Location
Camden, Campbelltown, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly

Small business experience

I have more than 25 years of experience across small business, accounting, financial management, construction, business operations and advisory roles, with extensive experience working directly with business owners to improve their financial management, systems, planning and sustainability.

Since 2019, I have owned and operated my own business, Sharon Veness Art Therapy, developing the practice from a small therapeutic service into an established business delivering individual services, group programs, workshops, creative resources and community-based initiatives. This has given me practical experience across all aspects of small business ownership, including financial management, budgeting, marketing, administration, compliance, service development, staffing and contractors, customer experience and strategic growth.

From 2019 to 2021, I worked as a NSW Business Connect Advisor with Western Sydney Business Centre, supporting small businesses across Western Sydney. My role involved working directly with business owners on business planning, financial management, business development, systems, strategy and identifying opportunities and challenges within their businesses.

Prior to establishing my own practice, I spent more than 25 years working in accounting and business management roles for both my own small accounting business and other internal business operations, including within the construction industry. This experience provided a strong foundation in commercial operations, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, systems and business decision-making.

I therefore bring approximately seven years of direct small business ownership and operation, supported by more than 25 years of broader business, accounting and management experience.

About
Sharon is an experienced business advisor, art therapist, counsellor and creative practitioner with more than 25 years’ experience across business, accounting, management, counselling and small business support. She has worked with small business owners across Western Sydney through the NSW Business Connect program, helping them with business planning, financial management, systems, strategy and growth.

Sharon also brings first-hand business ownership experience as the founder of Sharon Veness Art Therapy and the creator of the Creative Business Resilience Project. Her work explores how business owners can build businesses that support both commercial performance and personal wellbeing.

Specialties

• Business planning and strategy
• Financial management and business systems
• Small business development
• Business resilience and sustainability
• Counselling, wellbeing and therapeutic practice
• Creative facilitation and reflective practice

Approach

Sharon takes a practical, reflective and supportive approach. She works with business owners to understand their business, their working environment and the person behind the business, then helps them identify practical ways forward.

Strengths

Sharon combines business, accounting and management experience with a strong understanding of people, wellbeing and sustainable work practices. Her background across small business, construction, counselling, art therapy and disability support gives her a unique perspective on business resilience.

Mission

Sharon is motivated by helping business owners build practical systems and ways of working that support both the business and the person behind it.