The executive role at the Kiama & District Business Chamber is now being shared by two former smaller business owners, who both feel their background will help them understand the needs of members.

Angela Miller comes to the role as a former member of the Chamber, through her shop My Room.

Since this closed earlier this year, she worked with a number of small businesses around town until the role of Member Engagement Manager came up.

“I always appreciated the training, networking and support of the local business community, and now I have an opportunity to help them make the most of being part of the Chamber,” she says.

“I like working on other people’s businesses, as I fully appreciate the pressures they are under.”

The Seaside Markets are run by the Chamber

Natalie Spowart, the Chamber’s Business & Market Manager, arrived in town in May having owned a café in the Blue Mountains with her chef partner for two and a half years – which coincided with Black Summer and COVID and eventually led to its closure.

“You learn a lot during the tough times. I’m really looking forward to getting the right conversations happening about how we can best support local businesses,” she says.

Natalie has been running the Chamber’s Seaside Market since soon after she arrived, and says she loves it here.

“The market is going so well now it is back, it is really bringing a lot of people to town,” she says.

Both are keen to increase awareness that member businesses are entitled to a free stall down there each year, to see how it works for them.

“Combined with the free networking events, taking that up could cover the cost of membership,” says Natalie.

The rest of the year will be busy, with a number of events planned for Small Business Month in November (open not just to members), training seminars being organised, the annual Mayoral Dinner and networking events being held on the last Thursday of every month at a member’s business.

“We’ve also got our Business Directory coming out on 1 October,” says Angela, adding that she is looking to increase membership to 200 in the coming year, from currently around 150.

“The Chamber wants to be an advocate for all local businesses in our LGA,” says Board Member, Aaron Shelley of Project Dry Hire.

Find out more at www.kiamachamber.com.au