Bream Bay business networking group goes from strength to strength

Bream Bay business net working group goes from strength to strength

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The partnership between NorthChamber and the Bream Bay Business Chamber, (formerly known as REDG - Ruakaka Economic Development Group) has solidified over the course of 2022 resulting in a working group that wants to see local business helping local businesses.

The groups alliance with NorthChamber ensures that it can tap into the resources and connections that the NorthChamber has. In July this year, Dee Field a resident of Waipu, joined the NorthChamber team partly as an administration specialist, but her location within Bream Bay meant she was an excellent choice to support BBBC with their activities.

The Bream Bay Business Chamber is an informal group of local businesses wanting to network and connect over local matters and had its beginnings in REDG. The working group behind BBBC includes Janine Abernethy (former acting chair of REDG, NorthChamber Board member, representing the Bream Bay area and owner of Marsden Metals Group), Di Crawford-Errington (Director of Ontrack Bookkeeping), Stephen Gibson (NorthChamber Board member and Business Development Manager at Marsden Maritime Holdings), and Jan Anderson of Bayley’s Real Estate. All of whom are supported by NorthChamber through Dee Field.

Ms Crawford-Errington says that she joined the working group because she wanted to help create a place for businesses to meet peers and get help, “with the humps, bumps and challenges that business ownership brings.”

While Covid slowed the initial momentum of the group, since midyear, the BBBC working group has organised three networking events for businesses in Bream Bay starting off with Marsden Maritime Holdings’ new CEO Rosie Mercer showcasing their expansion plans for Marsden Cove.

The group make a point of putting the spotlight on a local business by hosting the events at their premises allowing owners to talk about their business journey, challenges, and plans for the future. Guest speakers that have relevant information for Bream Bay locals are recruited to add to the events. The group is always on the lookout for guest speakers from local businesses. The most recent event, hosted by new to Bream Bay business, Poolside Marsden Cove was really successful, “it was an ideal opportunity to showcase our new showroom” said owners Brent and Vanessa Coutts. Brent said the decision to move to Bream Bay was made after impulse purchasing a section in One Tree Point whilst on a road trip. Poolside Marsden Cove was launched, and they haven’t looked back. Coutts also noted that “we have been warmly welcomed to the local area both personally and professionally. We saw a hole in the market for pool and spa products and servicing and jumped on it”.

At the Poolside event, Northport were given a platform to discuss their reclamation and wharf expansion plans and encouraged local businesses to make submissions to Council on the current consent process. Northport CEO, Jon Moore, noted that even though it would be a while before construction would start, expansion brings with it opportunities for other businesses to move into the area to take advantage of the proposed plans and demand for services to support construction.

The BBBC working group are already working on more events for 2023 and hope to attract a broader range of businesses to come along. “You never know who you’re going to meet at these events” said Ms Field, “these are great opportunities to find out who’s local, who can help you, and who you can help. By working together, we can create a vibrant business community”.

The group have a Facebook Page which advertises up and coming events and is a forum for local businesses to share and ask questions. If you are in business in the Bream Bay area and are interested in attending networking events with other local business representatives, get in touch with Dee Field on 0277755578 or email office@northchamber.co.nz.

“these are great opportunities to find out who’s local, who can help you, and who you can help. By working together, we can create a vibrant business community”.

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