My journey as an entrepreneur and business owner has been full of bumps and bruises
I haven’t shared this on my personal social media pages or blog because I guess I have felt a level of imposter syndrome. But here I am showing up and sharing something near and dear to my heart.
Last year I was elected as the president of the Glen Innes Business Chamber (formerly Business In Glen). A title I feel very proud of. I can remember a time in my early 20s when I attended my first ever Business Chamber breakfast. I was ambitious and excited about business and was so eager to become a business owner one day. I’ve since grown very passionate about small business, regional prosperity and working with likeminded people to build upon a thriving business community.
My business journey includes many startup ideas, failures, triumphs and experiences. These experiences lead me here. I'm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed, connecting business owners with resources, and creating a supportive environment for small businesses to thrive.
I believe that a strong and vibrant business community is essential for any economy to grow and succeed. It creates jobs and opportunities, fosters innovation, and helps to strengthen the overall economy.
I'm always looking for ways to get involved and empower others. Whether it's working with local businesses to innovate and modernise and create jobs, or helping to create an environment that encourages investment in startups, I'm always looking for ways to make an impact.
I'm inspired by the entrepreneurs and business owners who are taking risks and succeeding, and the communities that are supporting them. Together, we can create a thriving business community that will benefit us all.
My journey as an entrepreneur and business owner has been full of bumps and bruises. Despite the challenges, and the mistakes I have made, I've learnt some invaluable lessons. One of the most important things I have learnt is that having a supportive community is crucial for success.
From the very beginning, I had a few great mentors that believed in me and pushed me to take risks and think outside the box. I also had several friends and family members that provided me with support.
With their help, I was able to bounce back from failure and set-backs and also create a business that is sustainable and successful alongside ny partner. I'm grateful for the lessons I have learnt and for the support system I have had.
I would encourage anyone who is thinking about starting their own business to surround themselves with people who believe in them and will provide the necessary support. It really does make a difference.
I wish I could go back in time and give myself more advice on how to manage practices including finances, processes and systems when I started my business journey. But I've learnt so much through many tough lessons and mistakes along the way. What I've come to realize is that having support, encouragement, and connection is so important when it comes to running a business. That's why I'm so passionate about helping others grow and evolve, so they don't have to make the same mistakes I did.
Taking on the role of President of the Glen Innes Business Chamber was a difficult decision. The time and dedication required to strategise, rebrand and build a new website and membership system while juggling our own business, projects and family life has definitely been challenging.
I am so thankful to our committee and our superstar administration officer Katelyn for working so hard to make this happen.
A special thank you to Rob Banham, Troy Arandale, Adam Marshall, Jim Ritchie, the leaders at the Glen Innes Severn Council and all those who supported and encouraged me to make this decision and help with the launch of the New Glen Innes Business Chamber.
In the initial days, Troy, Rob and I met over lunch’s to brainstorm and discuss how a proactive Business Chamber can help the businesses of Glen Innes and District thrive.
To Geoff, my business partner and life partner - thank you for supporting me, believing in me, and helping me reach those big, sometimes crazy goals. On those days when our life is chaotic and it feels like there's too much to do, you always have a smile, and tell me to take a breath. Those small moments make all the difference, because when you believe in me, I can believe in myself. Huge thanks for being my biggest cheerleader!
Our driven committee are beyond grateful for all the business owners and entrepreneurs who have already signed up as members. We cannot express how thankful we are for the response we have received so far. This is a working progress and we plan to listen to the community while working together to make a difference.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Business Chamber and membership inclusion or to sign up to receive the fortnightly newsletter please visit the link below.
Thank you for reading this far - let's keep working together to build a better future.