Shark Tank Australia investor Naomi Simson will share her insights for building a successful business at a special event in the Hunter this month.

The founder of online experience retailer RedBalloon is scheduled to take centre stage, as the keynote speaker, at Reimagine Regional Business at the Singleton Civic Centre on Wednesday 9 August, from 10am until noon.

She’ll be joined by a panel of local success stories, too, including Jason Chesworth (Hunter Belle Dairy Co), Jess Hodge (Resourceful Living) and Josh Lawlor (Scrubba Body and Hey Hudson).

The free event, funded by the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program, will not only inspire but empower businesses with the tools and support they need to flourish now and into the future.

Ms Simson will disclose the growth strategies that have helped her build her own success and explain how locals can also implement them.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Singleton, meeting fellow business owners and talking about what’s going on for business,” she said.

“All of us are looking for opportunities to grow our business cost effectively, which is what the conversation will be about on 9 August.”

Event attendees will also hear from:

• Jason Chesworth – co-founder of Scone-based Hunter Belle Dairy Co, which creates a range of dairy products found all over the state, including select Woolworths stores
• Jess Hodge – co-founder of Resourceful Living, a Kurri Kurri-based manufacturing company that recycles plastic waste into commercial furniture
• Josh Lawlor – co-founder of Scrubba Body and Hey Hudson. Scrubba Body began as a home-based Newcastle venture selling bath products at markets that are now stocked in 180 stores worldwide

Each panellist is set to reveal their personal journeys on taking a business from humble beginnings to a nationwide success.

The panel will be facilitated by Jacinta Outlaw from Fifth Element Digital Transformation Agency and executive manager of Planning and Performance Business NSW.

Reimagine Regional Business is being hosted by Singleton Council in partnership with Business Singleton, while Singleton High School hospitality students will cater the morning tea.

Business support providers such as Business Singleton, The Business Centre, The Hunter Business Hub, Service NSW and NBN will be set up at the Civic Centre on the day as well, to showcase the services they can provide to event attendees.

While Reimagine Regional Business is free to attend, bookings are essential at https://reimagineregionalbusiness.eventbrite.com.au

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• Charities benefit from Tomago Aluminium employees’ generosity
• QT GM Stamboulidis takes over as chair of Newcastle Tourism

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