Margot Shannon with Shaughanie Cooke who has been helping run award-winning Merchant Campbell since day one. They’re pictured with the Yass Valley Business Chamber Award in 2018. Photo: Merchant Campbell.

The secret is out. Yass Valley is home to a growing, vibrant and supportive business community. And the Yass Valley Business Chamber is again calling for nominations for its upcoming awards.

Partnering with the Rotary Club of Yass, the Yass Valley Business Chamber Awards program is designed to showcase the best of the best of businesses across the region.

In 2017, Margot Shannon started up her boutique Merchant Campbell. The following year, she entered her business in the awards and walked away victorious.

“It was seriously one of the best things to ever happen to me and my business, the publicity and recognition we got through the awards completely transformed the shop,” Margot says.

Her store consists of a large range of unique pieces of homeware, clothing, jewellery and much more.

Margot says her business’s success after winning the award motivates her to encourage others to sign up.

“I really think small businesses are the backbone of the economy and it’s programs like this that really encourage small businesses to keep up the hard work and continue doing what they love and serving the community.”

The 2018 Business Awards recipients with then Yass Mayor, Rowena Abbey. Photo: Merchant Campbell.

Margot says one of the most rewarding parts about running her business Merchant Campbell is the opportunity to hire all local employees and utilise local businesses.

“Everyone we have employed over the past few years has been from around the Yass Valley region. It’s such a great feeling to be providing income and services to the local community.”

This year’s awards have been extended to March 2025 to line up with the Business NSW 2025 award program and give more businesses the opportunity to enter.

Margot says there are plenty of business categories.

“We’ve got more categories than we have had in the past including outstanding employee, employer of choice, excellence in small business, excellence in diversity and inclusion, outstanding new business and many more.”

Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman says she is excited to see the businesses around the Yass Valley region come together again for the awards.

“Come get on board and let’s celebrate the amazing businesses in the Yass Valley,” Mrs Tuckerman says.

Yass Valley Business Chamber hopes to see entrants from across the region at the awards night to enjoy an event dedicated to celebrating the hard work of owners and their teams.

Nominations for the awards have been extended to 29 November 2024.

To enter your business in the awards visit Our Awards Page

Original Article published by Jacqueline Lyons on Riotact.