Young Business Bundaberg helps strengthen business opportunities in the region with like-minded people meeting to grow confidence in a friendly atmosphere.
On Friday evening Young Business Bundaberg kicked off its monthly social meeting with the message there is no age when it comes to business, only young at heart.
Young Business Bundaberg co-chairs Kurt Dempsey from Michaels Realestate, and Rick Hose from Catalyst Directions, said the monthly event focused on creating an environment where local business-minded people felt welcome, while also providing the opportunity to break down barriers.
“It’s a networking event to create a really welcoming environment and try to add value for everyone who comes here and so we have a guest speaker, who may not necessarily be talking about themselves but talking about little snippets of information that everyone can use,” Kurt said.
“Tonight, we have Ashley Williamson, AshWilliamson Consulting, he is talking about what government grants are available for both employee and employer and what you could be entitled to.
“It’s a chance to have a couple of nibbles and a possible wine or beer for those people who want to have Friday drinks, while coming together and developing relationships while networking.”
Young Business Bundaberg started earlier this year and Kurt said it had grown month on month.
“We have a variety of business people who come along, from beauty, banking, accounting to IT and plumbers,” he said.
“We are created by the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce, it was their initiative to encourage the next generation of business leaders to get involved.
“It’s all about what we say ‘kick ons and catch ups’ to help grow business with positivity and encouragement.”
Young Business Bundaberg builds careers
Attending the Young Business Bundaberg Friday networking event was self-employed Nathan Benjamin who works in photography and disability support; he said he had attended every networking event since they started and there were two main reason why he kept returning.
The first was because the event gave Friday nights a purpose and opportunity for like-minded people to catch up.
“The second reason I am here it promote the eco-system of young people and getting as many people who are unemployed into situations like these where they can come along and meet people who are doing the employing,” he said.
“If people want to work in industries that may not pay them straight off the bat but help them get involved in ground-up businesses.
“Like my brother, he came last month and got a job from the first person he talked to.”
Nathan said it was a great chance to “show face” which could possibly result in employment.
Coins for Kids help children’s charities
Rick said as well as the networking the Friday Young Business Bundaberg catch up also helped raise money for local charities, and a $500 donation was made to the Bundaberg Hospital Foundation.
“We have set this YBB to essentially look at business leaders of Bundaberg tomorrow, and try to get people to network while and look at ways to strengthen business through training and workshops,” he said.
“Our key initiative for YBB is called Coins for Kids, initially we thought if we supported charities that supported kids who are going to be the business leaders of tomorrow, so we have three charities and we ask people to donate loose change at the events and we are about to present a cheque of $500 tonight, which will go towards a humidicrib.”
Rick said the next initiative would be raising money for Angels Community Group, who supported people in the community.
Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce president Tim Sayre said Young Business Bundaberg was powered by the chamber, but worked autonomously.
“It’s really great to see we can get the young, and the young at heart combining together to secure the future of Bundaberg business,” Tim said.
“The beauty is you don’t have to be involved in the Chamber to be part of YBB – it’s just a great way to celebrate the start of the month.”
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said it was great to see business men and women mingling together to grow business in the region.
“It’s just fantastic to see young entrepreneurs of the Bundaberg Region together, with the relaxed atmosphere and a bit food the conversations flow,” he said.
“I think it’s a great initiative and people should take up next months meeting and join in.”
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