Emma Pritchard

March is NSW Small Business Month

The fifth annual event focuses on promoting activities to allow small businesses across the state a chance to recover following the difficult challenges they have recently faced and to implement positive strategies to achieve future success.

This year, the theme is rebuild, recharge, and renew.

Small businesses are encouraged to identify new and exciting ways of building their profiles within their local communities while connecting with other small businesses.

Owners and managers are also being encouraged to explore innovative and creative ways of boosting their profits, expanding their businesses to a wider audience while utilising new platforms, and being empowered to make necessary changes in order to achieve success and to help their local economy thrive.

The NSW Government is inviting small businesses to visit www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au to check out available options and participate in specially selected activities which help them explore new ideas as they navigate their way through the next 12 months.

President of the Yamba Chamber of Commerce and local business owner James Allan said March is a wonderful opportunity for the community and visitors to the Clarence Valley, to support local businesses and promote the unique coastal charm of the town.

“It’s an important time for our small businesses and retail outlets in Yamba who are locally owned and operated,” he said.

“We’re lucky to have a community which is very supportive of small businesses and we’re always encouraging people to shop locally.

“Our small businesses always look after and support each other too, which is really terrific, and the chamber is always ensuring we keep our lines of communication open to offer our support wherever possible.”

During NSW Small Business Month, the Yamba Chamber of Commerce will host a seminar on March 21 to allow the business community to connect professionally with Clarence Valley Council (CVC) and speak one on one with local councillors.

“It’s going to be a great networking opportunity for all involved,” Mr Allan said.

While the Yamba Chamber of Commerce prepares for their upcoming seminar, the Maclean District Business Chamber is also busy preparing special events to be held during NSW Small Business Month.

President Christine Tyler confirmed the chamber is inviting non-members to their next breakfast meeting on March 8, with CVC Mayor Ian Tiley attending as the guest speaker.

The chamber will also host a workshop aimed at assisting local business owners to build their marketing and explore new promotional opportunities on March 24.

“March is going to be a very interactive month for the chamber and local business community,” Ms Tyler said proudly.

“We love engaging with our business owners and the chamber remains strongly committed to doing what we can to help our local businesses survive.

“We are always encouraging people to shop locally and to support the businesses which form part of their community.”

Her views are shared by the President of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce Natasha Watkinson.

Speaking to attendees at the chambers’ recent breakfast meeting on February 16, Ms Watkinson said the chamber is excited to continue to strengthen relationships with local businesses while working closely with their members to generate further financial support following a difficult two-year period as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.