With no events on anyone's calendars for the foreseeable future and retail stores suffering as social distancing measures ramp up in the coronavirus fight, one Moree woman has come up with an innovative way for people to support local businesses, while maintaining self-isolation from the comfort of their own homes.
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Dimity Smith from the newly-established GRO Events has come up with the idea of Friday Nights In - an online webinar to share the stories of local business owners and celebrate their customers.
"Right now, we have regional and rural businesses shutting up shop as a result of COVID-19," she said.
"For new businesses that opened just prior, or have been around for a long time, this could mean the end of their business or some seriously tough times ahead.
"The goal with Friday Nights In is to share a rural business story, share their ten favourite products for sale and give people the chance to help them out - all from their couch at home."
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Coming off the back of GRO Events' very first event, the highly successful Women's Week Ground Breakers event, Ms Smith has also been forced to look at ways she can pivot her business to continue to cater for rural and regional businesses during the current coronavirus pandemic.
She approached Karen Gall, the owner of Moree's newest boutique clothing store, No.16 at the Max, to see if she'd be interested in doing a live online showing of her store, and after speaking with similar businesses in Inverell, Narrabri, Scone and Tamworth, decided to launch Friday Nights In.
The idea is that at 8pm over the next few Friday nights, people can dial in to the webinar where they will gain insight into the featured local business and its products, as well as some great deals, before shopping online.
"This will give you a perfect opportunity to stay in, stay well, have a glass of wine in comfy clothes from your couch and shop online and support a rural business in this tough time," Ms Smith said.
The first business up will be No.16 at the Max this Friday, April 3.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet owner Karen Gall, hear her business story and see some of her beautiful clothes for sale online - featuring labels such as Bassike, Jac & Jack, Nobody Denim, Morrison, Pigna, Elka Collective, Elvis et Moi, the Seeke and more.
Tickets are $10 which covers the cost of the webinar program and marketing.
"I want as many people to be able to dial in as possible, which is why it's only $10," Ms Smith said.
"If you were to go to the pub on a Friday night, that's the cost of a nice glass of wine or a bowl of chips.
"It's pretty cheap entertainment."
And the best thing is, people can dial in wearing their PJs with a face mask on and don't have to be publicly seen.
Everyone who registers for the webinar will also receive a 25 per cent discount from No.16.
"You might save $50 or $100 so the $10 ticket is worth it for the savings you'll get," Ms Smith said.
Registrations will be taken right up until the webinar starts at 8pm on Friday.
Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/friday-nights-in-online-launch-of-no16.
Ms Smith encourages everyone to get behind local businesses while they still can.
"I hope this is a little something I can do with a few businesses to keep them going for now," she said.
GRO Events also has two other webinars coming up with Dr Amanda Jeffreys - Pyschologically Prepared Businesses on April 8 and Psychologically Prepared Families on April 15 - to help both businesses and families deal with anxiety surrounding COVID-19.
For more information, go to www.groevents.com.au