By Róise Collins
A group of business owners in the Twin Towns have joined forces to strengthen their collective voice against the challenges facing their sector.
The united businesses have together formed a new branch of the main Ballybofey and Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce called Stronger Together.
Local business woman Tracey Alexander, who together with her husband Joe runs the long established Alexander’s of Ballybofey, has been a strong advocate for this shift to a business led approach within the chamber.
And with contagious positivity she is encouraging other businesses to get involved too.
Following a turbulent few years in the wake of the pandemic we are now taking a step in a positive direction, said Tracey.
“This is basically about trying to get the chamber working better for us all as business people,” she added.
The group has started small but they have ambitious expansion plans, including reaching out to more local businesses to further strengthen their voice.
“As a chamber local businesses have a stronger voice together, compared to one person just giving out about something,” she added.
They have hosted two very successful events so far.
“Firstly we held a meeting in the Villa Rose to see if we are barking up the wrong tree or does everyone feel the same.
“The event was a great success, with representatives from 24 local businesses in attendance and the feedback was great,” Tracey said.
During the event one business owner, Paul Harkin from Harkin’s Gala shared how he felt being in business is a very lonely place.
This feeling resonated with a lot of the attendees.
“Whenever Paul first opened his shop he didn’t know anybody in Ballybofey.
“He then got to know my husband Joe, so he now has no bother coming into our shop for a cup of tea and a chat, whereas before people would have thought
“he is in here looking at my shop”, when that’s not the way it is and that’s not the way it should be.”
This is the negative stigma that the group are working hard to tackle.
Stronger Together’s goal is to create a network of businesses that can lean on each other for support, both in the height of the summer season or when things quieten down in the winter months.
“How great it is that one business person can ring another and say “I am so quiet this week, how are you finding it?”
“Whereas before people were always really hesitant to do that,” she said.
“The chamber has taken a great direction now over the past six months,” Tracey added.
Stronger Together – a perfect name for a grouping that has much to look forward to.
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