The mobile van was in Ararat on Monday and Stawell on Tuesday, providing information, free business mentoring and face to face assistance for small businesses.

Many business owners don't have the time during their busy day to seek advice on how to develop their small business. The Mobile Business Centre makes it easier by providing free and confidential business mentoring and assistance, right on their doorstep.

The onboard mentoring service helps small business owners and operators to look at their business objectively and assist operators to gain insights and ideas covering marketing, finance, human resources, sales and specialist industry knowledge.

All mentors are volunteers with the Small Business Mentoring Service and have extensive experience in small business. The mentors have run a successful small business, or have been in a company at a senior level involved with small business.

Susan Olston from Horsham has a background in accounting and said touring around the region with the Mobile Business Centre as a Small Business Mentoring Service mentor, gives her an opportunity to pass on her knowledge to help businesses grow.

Ms Olston said she had been pleased with the response, particularly in Stawell.

"We had one booking made with us when we were coming in and a lot of people have turned up to see what is here," she said.

"The response has been really pleasing. We have covered issues ranging from starting up a new business, to issues that businesses have that are ongoing. We have also spoken to operators who are considering developing their existing business even further.

"We are here to offer whatever advice we can to assist and support these businesses."

Information officer, Sakin Boyaci, said Stawell business operators had really embraced the option of accessing free information from the mobile van.

"We have had a far greater response today, with people walking up and taking a brochure," he said.

"We have spoken to a lot of people about various issues that exist in small business and have offered advice to them, including where they can go to get help, particularly legal help and advice on seminars and information sessions that are available on marketing and running a successful business.

"The assistance we provide is an excellent starting point for small business operators. Then if they require more specific help, we can offer them a 45 minute to one hour mentoring session to provide more assistance."