Veronica Kypros, left, and Janet Pearson from the Westgate Referral Network. 68787 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
THIS year, the not-for-profit Westgate Referral Network is celebrating its fifth birthday and five years of successfully helping small businesses within the West.
President Janet Pearson said the group began in 2006 when she and seven others met through a business network franchise and decided to form their own not-for-profit networking group.
“Many of us are from Hobsons Bay but we get people coming from Yarraville and Footscray as well,” she said.
Ms Pearson said the group’s main purpose was sharing business opportunities and referrals among each other’s clients, as well as business education and support through tough times.
“People like to do business with people they know, like and trust. That’s why a recommendation that comes from a trusted friend or client is so powerful,” she said.
“By creating the right connections many of our members are receiving regular high-value opportunities despite the downturn.
“When the economy is tight, people don’t like to take risks. So they much prefer to give their business to people who are recommended to them.
“Amongst ourselves, experience is a great teacher. We have people who have been in business for a long time and people who have been in business for the short term, and one can learn from the other.”
She described the WRN as “a giving group, not a getting group” and said members met once every fortnight for breakfast at the Mosiac Restaurant in Altona.
“I’d say it’s been a nice surprise to get to five years,” she said. Another WRN member, Max De Bowen, joined the group during 2008 when he worked and lived in Yarraville.
While he mainly makes corporate videos, Mr De Bowen’s short film ‘Drained’ recently won third prize overall and best actor at the 48 Green Hours Film Festival.
Although his video production business MaxFilm has located to the city since joining WRN, the 22-year-old said he still enjoyed attending meetings.
“For me it’s been a really good way to get business and also a it’s a place to share ideas and connect with other business owners and it’s a place to increase your business learning,” he said.
See www.westgatenetwork.org.au for more information.
