October is Small Business Month! And to celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the great small businesses we have throughout the region. Read all the stories here.
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three local businesses that keep the New England looking good, from a judgement free cleaner, to a painter that doesn’t mind the little jobs, and a creative studio where you can get into a different kind of painting, these three will give you plenty to look at.
Cleaned by Chloe
A cleaner home, a calmer mind
Uralla and surrounding areas
For busy households, finding the time and energy to keep everything clean can sometimes feel like one more thing on an already long list. For Chloe Ballantine, that’s exactly where Cleaned by Chloe comes in.
A local mum of three, Chloe started her residential cleaning business with the aim of creating work that fitted around family life while doing something she genuinely enjoys. Along the way, she found a way to help other busy households take a little pressure off their own busy schedules.
Cleaned by Chloe provides residential cleaning throughout Armidale, Uralla and surrounding areas, with a focus on being friendly, reliable and, importantly, judgement-free.
As an owner-operated business, Chloe is the person clients get to know and welcome into their homes. She believes that trust matters when someone is working in your personal space, and takes the time to understand what each household needs rather than treating every clean as exactly the same.
For Chloe, cleaning is about more than simply making a house look tidy. It’s about giving people back some time and helping them enjoy the feeling of walking through the door to a clean, calm home.
That philosophy is summed up in her simple business motto: “A cleaner home, a calmer mind.”
Phoenix Painting & Property Maintenance
Taking the pain out of paint
Armidale, NSW 2350
When it comes to keeping a property looking its best, sometimes it’s the small jobs that make the biggest difference. That’s the philosophy behind Phoenix Painting & Property Maintenance, an Armidale-based business helping homeowners and property owners across Armidale and the wider New England region.
Owned and operated by Andrew “Andy” Cureton, Phoenix offers interior and exterior painting alongside property maintenance, gutter cleaning and leaf-stop installation, flat-pack assembly, repairs and all those odd jobs that need doing around a property. Whether it’s a major painting project or a job that’s simply been sitting on the to-do list for far too long, Andy approaches each one with the same care and attention to detail.
As a sole trader, Andy is personally involved from the initial quote through to the finished job. That means customers always know who they’re dealing with, and can rely on a straightforward, personal approach throughout the process. Much of the business has been built through word of mouth and repeat customers — a reflection of the importance Phoenix places on reliability, communication and a job well done.
For Andy, the goal isn’t simply to put a fresh coat of paint on a wall. It’s about making the whole process as simple and stress-free as possible, while leaving every property looking better than he found it. Big job or small, every customer gets the same “Phoenix finish”.
Elevating Art Studio
A creative space where everyone can find their inner artist
Nemingha NSW
In the heart of Tamworth, Elevating Art Studio is creating a space where creativity is for everyone — from toddlers taking their first steps into art through to adults who have been creating for decades.
Owned by artist and educator Sherry Smith, the studio offers a vibrant mix of art classes, workshops, paint and sip sessions, birthday parties and more, catering for all ages from one to 100. And for groups who would rather create in their own space, Elevating Art Studio is mobile, travelling throughout the New England, North West and Hunter regions.
For Sherry, however, the studio is about more than simply learning how to draw or paint. As an artist, educator, wife and mother of four, she wanted to create somewhere people could feel comfortable expressing themselves while learning about their materials, techniques and the history behind the art they are creating.
That welcoming approach is at the heart of Elevating Art Studio. Sherry’s vision is to create an inclusive environment where people can explore their creativity without feeling intimidated — and leave feeling uplifted and inspired.
The creative experience doesn’t stop at the classes, either. Elevating Art Studio also has an in-store and online art supplies shop, with materials and art kits suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.
Whether someone is picking up a paintbrush for the first time, looking for a creative activity with friends, or wanting to develop their skills, Elevating Art Studio is all about making room for people to create, learn and enjoy the process.
For Sherry, that connection with people is just as important as the art itself. Her philosophy is simple: the love of art extends beyond creating a picture — it’s about seeing people, welcoming them in and becoming part of the community.
Throughout October, we’ll run stories highlighting the great local businesses we have right here in our communities. This is a free service – the businesses highlighted have not paid for this story.
Want to highlight your business? Just fill in this form – places are limited.
Please share this story to help support New England businesses! See all our Small Business Month profiles here.