Symbiotic relationships.

They are weird and sometimes beautiful things.

There’s a type of symbiotic relationship called “mutualism.”

Under mutualism, everyone involved benefits from being part of the relationship.

It’s that win-win deal you always hear about, (but rarely actually see.)

Like a little Cleaner Wrasse cleaning the mouth of a huge Queensland Groper - big guy gets his teeth cleaned, little guy gets a feed.

Mutualism. Win-win.

Here’s another example of mutualism: East Gippsland Shire Council’s Business Boost program.

Business Boost connects aspiring local entrepreneurs with local business mentors - business professionals or people with business experience - to help those entrepreneurs get their start-up off the ground.

Business Boost, which is funded by a Victorian Government Local Economic Recovery grant, will initially launch in Bruthen and Buchan to help entrepreneurs and business owners to achieve their goals.

If you’re a savvy professional with some business experience you think might be worth sharing, the shire wants to hear from you.

In a nutshell, you’ll provide pro-bono or low-bono (low cost) professional support to someone eager to learn from you.

But here’s the kicker:

Just as you’re doing a good thing by helping local entrepreneurs thrive, you’re also growing your own professional network and your database of potential clients.

And you’re getting real-life mentoring and training experience, which we all know is an increasingly valuable asset these days.

Mutualism. Beautiful, huh?

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, all you need to do is attend one of the upcoming information sessions, which are being held in Bairnsdale, Bruthen, Buchan and online between 25 July and 4 August

Here's where you register for those.

Get involved, big fishy.

If you want to know more, contact Anne Kaiser at annek@egipps.vic.gov.au or 0488 700 034.