Tell us about your role as Editor of SmartCompany. What are you responsible for and what do you cover?
SmartCompany exists to champion Australia’s small and medium businesses and startups. We do this by publishing news, insights, resources, analysis and opinion on the matters most important to these businesses. As Editor, I lead a team of five (soon to be seven) journalists and editors, and oversee all the editorial content in the publication, and work with the broader SmartCompany team to host events and our annual Smart50 awards. 
 
How (if at all) has the SME round evolved following COVID-19?
The pandemic has fundamentally changed how all Australian businesses operate and especially so for small and medium-sized businesses; it’s almost impossible to list the challenges faced by these operators over the past two years - whether that’s dealing with the constant uncertainty of lockdowns and restrictions or adapting to the rapid changes in consumer behaviour and work practices.

As an editorial team covering this sector, we’ve also adapted, and it has really underscored the importance of our mission to produce independent news and resources that these businesses can trust. What has shown through in spades is the resilience of the SME sector, and the very tangible ways this community supports each other. 
 
What does your ideal PR pitch look like?
The most important thing we look for in a pitch is that the story is highly relevant to people who are running their own businesses. We receive a large volume of pitches that are aimed at a general consumer audience or very large businesses. So I would encourage anyone wanting to pitch to SmartCompany to first read the stories we are publishing. 
 
Because our audience is business savvy, we’re also looking for specifics about the businesses being pitched, including financials, and we love to be able to speak directly to the owners and founders. It helps if the business owner being pitched for an interview is in fact available for the interview!
 
Do you have a favourite story you’ve covered during your time at SmartCompany?
Not necessarily a favourite, but a memorable story was covering the many twists and turns of the administration of Pie Face back in 2014. Covering the federal budget each year from Canberra has been another highlight, as has learning the secrets behind the success of companies such as Bed Threads and Elk.