WINE and natural produce on the Southern Downs could rival those found in the famous Barossa Valley according to business owner Jackie Robertson who is working to help our region reach similar heights.

After being named as one of the Queensland Government's 100 Faces of Small Business for Small Business Week this week, Mrs Robertson plans to use the accolade to encourage Southern Downs businesses to better promote each other.

Mrs Robertson started her Frog and Swallow Gourmet Preserves business in 2012 and experienced instant success with one of her first orders to Melbourne for 605 units.

She opened the Frog and Swallow Cafe in 2014, but she sold up last August.

Mrs Robertson said the region could learn from Barossa Valley producers who sell cheese and other local products in their own stores.

Encouraging accommodation spots to offer small condiments and baked bread as a welcome gift, or noting local producers on menus would help raise awareness of the quality of produce, she said.

"Visitors will see that we're a connected community, we are wise to what the visitor wants, we are proud of what's happening in our own backyard,” Mrs Robertson said.

Mrs Robertson said a genuine recommendation from another business was invaluable.

"There are growers here that are doing magical things but because they're working so hard to get their product to market they don't have the opportunity to shine because they're so busy,” Mrs Robertson said.

"If we could find a way to link them together - it should be organic and from groundwork, it has to come from us.”

Mrs Robertson is based at Mount Marshall and said some stores and businesses already stocked local produce.

Rather than seeing other businesses as competition, it was important to celebrate diversity.

"We've always had the potential,” she said.

"People don't know that unless you're linked in with other foodies - it's word of mouth.”