Many local Lismore businesses owe their survival through Covid shutdown thanks to the business-mind of 27 year old Sally Flannery.

Sally started her own online fashion business when she was 16 years old and it was so successful she opened her first physical shop by the time she was 19.

Luckily for Lismore, she moved here six years ago and brought her business acumen to help out the local community.

Sally was recognised for her contribution to the Lismore economic sector this week when she received an award at the International Women's Day luncheon. Read more about the awards: Ros Irwin, Sally Flannery and Jex Lopez shine at IWD awards ceremony

The award recognised the incredible support she gave to local business when she started the Support Lismore Small Business Facebook page a year ago during Covid shutdown.

“It was the beginning of other initiatives that I also started – like a hospital fundraiser and a Lismore business web directory,” Sally said.

Hand sanitiser in Covid

“When Covid restrictions started, I helped provide mandatory hand sanitiser when it was in short supply and we weren’t sure when it was going to become available again.

“I saw that other councils like Lane Cove Council in Sydney were offering hand sanitiser for free.

“So, I spoke to a distillery about bulk buying it, with intention for Lismore Council to get behind it - but they weren’t in a position to. So, I bought 80 litres of it and designed labels for containers and printed them myself at Officeworks, then set up a market stall at Lismore produce market. I sold them for cost price and we sold out within a couple of hours.

“A lot of market stall business owners came and got some and I saw it on their stalls.”

Facebook and web directory

While the web directory is now defunct, Sally said the Support Lismore Small Business Facebook page has replaced it in terms of function.

“The Facebook page had 3000 followers in the first week and one year on there’s about 6,500 followers,” Sally said.

“At Covid shutdown time, one of the most important things was for business to have a platform to communicate. People wanted to support local business but weren’t sure how to reach them all.

“Now, the landscape has changed, but it’s still a positive and uplifting support for the community.

Social proofing

“I still go to local businesses I have supported and post pictures and info and show other people they can do that too. Others also do it – it’s called social proofing.

“I work in the Lion and Lamb design agency and I know if you show something being used, it’s more effective than an ad.”

Sally said the agency asked her to manage the business in June last year. With her entrepreneurial background in business, she has awareness of what businesses need.

“So, when Covid started, I knew what business owners were going through – it’s emotionally very involving – and I decided to do something to help,” she said.

“When the bushfires and floods happened in Lismore, I felt helpless, but Covid brought my skill set into play.

Now, she’s taking her unique skill set and drive into the future and intends to run for local Council elections in September this year.

Let’s see where she takes Lismore next.