Workshops & Training with Sam Hicks
Practical workshops for small business owners, community groups and regional organisations.
Sam Hicks delivers hands-on workshops and training across regional Victoria, both in person and online, working with councils, business networks, adult and community education providers, community organisations and small businesses.
Decades of Practical Training Experience
Sam has been delivering workshops and practical training since she was 18, beginning in the ceramics industry before moving into visitor services and tourism and later into marketing, digital skills and business development.
Today, that experience extends into emerging technologies, including AI, helping individuals, businesses and organisations understand and confidently use rapidly changing digital tools.
Sam also holds the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, supporting decades of real-world training and facilitation experience with a nationally recognised training and assessment qualification.
Practical Workshops Designed for Real People
Workshops are designed to simplify marketing, digital tools, AI, business planning and online visibility — without the overwhelm, jargon or unnecessary tech confusion.
Sam’s workshop style is practical, interactive and conversational. She doesn’t simply stand at the front of the room and present — expect her to move around the room, ask questions, demonstrate tools live, encourage discussion and respond to what’s happening in the room.
Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences and, wherever possible, work through real examples during the session. There is plenty of learning, plenty of participation and usually a few laughs along the way.
Topics regularly include:
- Social Media for Small Business
- Canva Made Simple
- AI Tools for Small Business
- Google Business Profile
- Website Basics, SEO & GEO
- Digital Marketing Foundations
- One-Page Business Planning
- Online Visibility & Local Search
- Content Creation & Marketing Strategy
Sessions are delivered through:
- Public online workshops
- In-person council programs
- Adult and community education providers
- Business and industry networks
- Community organisations
- Private team training
- Tailored business workshops
Whether you’re completely new to digital tools or looking to sharpen existing skills, workshops are practical, supportive and designed around the needs of the people in the room.
The goal is for participants to leave not just knowing more, but understanding how to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Recent and Upcoming Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
You can view Sam’s upcoming public online workshops via Eventbrite: View Upcoming Workshops
Like, Share, Belong
Mitchell Shire Council—September 2026
Practical social media and digital skills for community organisations.
Like, Share, Belong – Online over 2 Evenings Tuesday 18 August and Tuesday 25 August 2026
Like, Share, Belong – Seymour Saturday 19 September 2026
AI Tools for Small Business
Delatite Chamber of Commerce — Tuesday 8 September 2026
MACE Mansfield
A practical workshop exploring AI tools for small businesses, with a focus on productivity, marketing and everyday business tasks.
Practical AI Workshops – Basics to Advanced
MACE Mansfield — 22–23 October 2026
A three-level workshop series for individuals and community members wanting to build practical, everyday AI skills and confidence.
Recent Workshops & Programs
Recent examples of workshops, presentations and training delivered for councils, business networks and community organisations across regional Victoria.
AI Hacks for Small Business Productivity
Benalla Rural City Council — August 2026
Practical AI tools and productivity ideas for small business owners.
Like, Share, Belong
Mitchell Shire Council—July–September 2026
Practical social media and digital skills for community organisations.
Murrindindi Business Month
Murrindindi Shire Council — June 2026
Four-part online workshop series covering online visibility, content creation, websites and business planning.
The Business of Art
Yea Arts Inc. — 2025
A 16-workshop professional development program supporting artists and creatives with practical skills in business, marketing, digital tools and building sustainable creative practices.
Looking for a Workshop for Your Team or Community?
Sam also delivers customised workshops, short courses and training sessions for:
- Councils and local government
- Adult and community education providers
- Community groups and not-for-profit organisations
- Business and industry networks
- Tourism groups and organisations
- Small businesses, teams and workplaces
Workshops can be tailored to suit your audience, from practical AI and digital skills through to marketing, social media, websites and small business development.
Online and in-person delivery available across regional Victoria.
ABOUT SAM
Sam Hicks is a regional small business advisor, trainer and facilitator specialising in business development, marketing, digital skills and photography.
With more than 25 years’ experience working with small businesses, tourism, community organisations and regional communities, Sam brings practical business experience into every workshop.
What Participants Say
Testimonials from in-person workshops:
“Sam made everything easy to understand and gave me ideas to implement immediately for my business.”
“Engaging, down-to-earth, relatable. Thanks for your expertise.”
“Sam’s knowledge is endless, and she was so informative. I’ve learned so much and can’t wait until the next course.”
“Sam Hicks was very professional, very experienced, and very approachable.”
“Bloody fantastic, thank you.”
Online workshops:
“I really enjoyed the workshop; I laughed and learned a lot. Thank you.”
“The surprise was getting the notes right after the event—wow, easy to read, and I can refer to them anytime. Thank you.”
“Thank you for last night; it was really good. I had been using Canva for about 12 months, and there was still so much I didn’t know I could do or how to do it.”
“Thanks for answering my questions and putting me at ease; sometimes it’s hard to ask questions in front of others.”
“Sam ..I learned so much tonight and had so much fun….thank you for making it interesting.”
Bring a Workshop to Your Organisation
Looking for practical, engaging training for your business network, community, team or organisation?
Workshops can be tailored to your audience, location and skill level, with online and in-person delivery available across regional Victoria.
I look forward to seeing you in a workshop online or in person.
