General News
19 February, 2022
Free forum to revive Horsham businesses
Business leaders host a free forum to help struggling Wimmera business owners.
AFTER a restless two years for many Horsham businesses, West Vic Business partners Commerce Ballarat and Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance will be hosting a free networking event to support Wimmera businesses doing hard the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rethinking Business In A COVID World is a workshop which will take place at Horsham RSL on McLachlan Street, Horsham on March 5 from 10:30am to 4:30pm.
The workshop will provide Horsham businesses an opportunity to meet with other business owners, sharing knowledge, and learning new ideas and different perspectives.
West Vic Business ambassador Stacey Taig said much of the workshop will be centred around resilience for businesses that have been struggling over the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many businesses have gotten through the COVID-19 pandemic successfully, but there are most who have had to look to other directions for their business and there are those who are still struggling,” she said.
“We’re trying to tell those businesses who are struggling not to give up, that there may be other ways they can approach their business that they haven’t considered yet.
“A forum such as this provides an opportunity to, not only get feedback, but learn from people who have a lot of experience in other fields.
“At this stage of the pandemic, I think we’ve been given a chance to be creative in how we look to operate our businesses.”
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The workshop will be the next business networking event for West Vic Business following their relaunch event in Hindmarsh Shire in February.
“West Vic Business is an example of the change we’re advocating for individual businesses,” Ms Taig said.
“Since our time as Horsham Business, we’ve completely changed who we are. We’ve changed our branding and who we represent. We’ve changed in response to the business communities across the region during this pandemic.
“Today, we now work with Horsham municipality businesses as well as businesses in the Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh shires.
“The launch of our Hindmarsh Chapter is the real focus for us this year.”
Following on from the networking event, Hindmarsh Shire Council will host the first Hindmarsh Business Networking Session at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre on February 24 from 7 to 8:30pm.
The event will feature business guest speakers such as personal coach Paul Atherton and Bonnie and Cydes Pizzeria owner Dan Lukazsewski.
Mr Lukazsewski said he’s looking forward to providing any help he can to local businesses.
“Even though our business wasn’t on the ropes during the COVID-19 pandemic like a lot of businesses, it certainly felt that way. It felt like if we didn’t do something then and there, to make a change, we might be a business that goes,” he said.
“If you’re not adapting you're just going to be a part of the landscape, and be one of those businesses that are going to be forgotten.
“The business landscape has shifted in our region in the last two years. No ones really been able to meet, seeing as we've all been in isolation. So this is a great time to connect.
“With 11 years of experience, I feel now’s a good time for me to provide what I can to any other people wanting to start a business or looking for help in their business. If I can be of any help to anyone I’ll be happy to do that.”