About
LismoreBiz has been a thought in my mind for some years but I’ve never really been able to devote the time to it that it deserved. I’ve actually owned the business and domain for some time (since 2014 I think!), and decided that now was the time to act! I think we all need a boost – 2017 was a shocker that for some recovery has, in many cases, been slow.
My original plan was to …
[icon name=”bullhorn” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] promote local businesses using the web, social media and email,
[icon name=”credit-card” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] give you an affordable alternative to advertise your fabulous-ness, and
[icon name=”globe” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] help you reach out to a wider audience, and give you a place to build your page to help you attract more customers, especially if you don’t have a website;
[icon name=”calendar” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] promote special events,
All of those and more are still very much the case but I’ve added one more:
[icon name=”shopping-cart” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] A marketplace which allows businesses who want an online store the mechanism to do so without having to have a whole website built.
I want(ed) to give businesses a great platform and an affordable alternative to traditional advertising that will be maintained and promoted locally. After all, not everyone uses Facebook (yeah, I know!) but things are changing in social media world so the reliance on a free platform where you don’t own your own content will get more challenging.
You’re already doing great work and this now gives you an affordable alternative to a whole website (strange coming from someone who builds websites for a living, but I understand totally that like social media, a website isn’t always the best or only solution!). So, you you can build your page to help you attract more customers, add an ad as you need to to give your business a boost, promote events, list jobs, and sell stuff in the classifieds. All of that means you will also have a place on the web if you don’t have a website.
And …
Show you that there is more to Lismore than is commonly believed! If you walk around town you’ll find pretty much everything you need, and if you go further (and still stay in the local area) there is a wealth of completely amazing businesses that we all should support!
Give the locals and visitors to the area a comprehensive directory of everything!
My goal is to have every single business and service listed here. Yup, a tall order, but I’m on a mission
Give an additional channel to the multitude of charities, community groups and NFPs who do such amazing work here. Groups like the Lismore Friendship Festival which is a fantastic community event (you might have seen me there this year!), and Jodie’s Inspiration who raise money for much needed equipment. There will undoubtedly be others!
Create at least one job from this endeavour!
That depends entirely on how well the local business community support the Directory but that’s the plan.
LismoreBiz is developed, supported and managed locally.
Ellen K
Founder and owner, LismoreBiz, The Website School and Leumesin Design
Originally from Sydney, I’ve lived in Lismore for nearly 30 years and raised my family here. I’ve been designing websites since 1998, and worked at SCU for 20 years, including 12 years as Web Services Manager. In what feels like a lifetime ago, I was made redundant from my role at SCU, but in hindsight, this was a blessing and it pushed me to start Leumesin Design in 2012. I also learned that you have to be careful what you wish for!! My favourite clients are local businesses. I’ve since gone on to establish The Website School, and LismoreBiz (plus a couple more that just didn’t work!) and in one of life’s little twists, I’m back at SCU in a part time role at the School of Law and Justice which I combine quite well with my “other” life as a small business owner.
I’ve been a member of the LCCI member for many years, and board member since 2013 (except during 2017/18). I’m proud to have been the first woman President of the Chamber (2014-15) and for the LCCI to be named Best Regional Chamber at the Northern Rivers Business Awards during that time.
I’ve been an employee, contractor, sole trader, home based creative/IT business, volunteer, ran for Council in 2016 and might do it again! I worked with the Helping Hands post-flood as well – a devastating time, but I was constantly blown away by the resilience of the local business community. I loved the Lismore Friendship Festival so much that I volunteered and subsequently joined the organising committee in 2018.
I actually started Leumesin Design under the NEIS program through ETC, and have a lot of empathy for the challenges faced by independent small businesses. I’ve has completed a Cert IV in Micro Business Management but the Diploma of Interior Design may never be finished!! I’m a keen home renovator (yes, a Blockoholic!), an occasional gym junkie, blood donor, gardener, workaholic, social media enthusiast, budding traveller (NY anyone?) and lover of shoes.
[icon name=”video-camera” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Just for a bit of fun, you can check out this little video I made (but I will say, things have changed a bit since then – I’m a bit past the initial launch stage!)
Credits …
The photo of me is by the fabulous Peter Derrett (you can see his visual diary here).
As you’d expect, I’ve built the website myself. The directory is powered by a solid, well researched listing directory, with some extras wrapped around it, plus a chunk of customisation!
All icons are from either Free icons by Icons8 or Font Awesome.
Photos are either taken by local photographers or where there aren’t easily available local options (we’re in the process of building up the library!), images have been sourced from a variety of libraries including unsplash.com, stocksnap.io, and sometimes pixabay.com, stockunlimited.com and deathtothestockphoto.com.