Blacktown City Business Network

Blacktown City Business Network Sponsored networking held 1st Wednesday each month 6.30pm at Blacktown Workers Club 55 Campbell St Blacktown. Bring your business cards. Become a sponsor.

After 21 plus years we are still supporting local business, small business, micro business and start-ups.

At Wednesday’s BCBN meeting, I mentioned a free online lunchtime masterclass to help you calm nerves before public speak...
11/06/2026

At Wednesday’s BCBN meeting, I mentioned a free online lunchtime masterclass to help you calm nerves before public speaking. The class is with professional MC and group contributor, Lukehannan.

Here are the details and registration link:
Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026 - Calm the Nerves. Command the Room.
Time: Noon
Place: Online. Microsoft Teams (interactive)
Cost: Free.
Duration: Approx 1 hour.
Have your lunch at the same time and pick up invaluable tips from Luke.
FREE registration here: https://46507177.hs-sites-ap1.com/calm-the-nerves-command-the-room

Most professionals don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle with delivery under pressure:
• Nerves take over
• Messages become unclear
• Pace increases
• Confidence drops in high-stakes moments
In this live session, you’ll learn how to:
• Control nerves in real time
• Communicate with executive presence
• Simplify complex messages
• Deliver with clarity under pressure.

FREE registration here: https://46507177.hs-sites-ap1.com/calm-the-nerves-command-the-room

Luke has completed 600+ live and virtual events as a full-time MC, so he knows where its’s at and will share invaluable experience, advice and tips with you.
See him in action here: https://vimeo.com/770992129

01/06/2026

NETWORK, LEARN & PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS THIS WEDNESDAY

Blacktown City business owners are invited to experience the camaraderie, connections and promotional opportunities of the Blacktown City Business Network (BCBN) this Wednesday from 6.30pm in the Wattle Room at Workers Blacktown.

Thanks to the generous support of Sharma & Co Accountants & Financial Planners and Workers, this is a sponsored meeting, with tickets just $15 per person when pre-booked. Best of all, there are no ongoing membership fees or hidden charges.

Use the QR code or the registration link in the comments section to secure your place today.

Property Investment Under the Spotlight!
Making his public speaking debut as Guest Host and Business INSIGHT presenter is Dayal Dassanayaka from The Brokerage Connection.

Dayal will explore:
"How CGT and Negative Gearing Changes Could Shape Property Investment Decisions."

Whether you're a property investor, business owner or simply interested in the changing economic landscape, this timely presentation promises valuable insights.

New Opportunities in Nutraceuticals
Member John Brooking will present a Business INSIGHT on his new venture in the growing nutraceuticals sector.

Nutraceuticals are food-derived products designed to support health, enhance wellbeing and help reduce the risk of certain diseases. John's philosophy is simple: improving your health and wellbeing helps bring out the best version of yourself.

Meet Our Sponsor
Sponsor Preeti Sharma, Director, Sharma & Coo Accountants & Financial Planners, will introduce her business and share practical financial and business advice that could prove invaluable in the current economic environment.

Business Primers Return on video.
Missed our May meeting? Our popular Business Primer challenge is back.

Members will again have the opportunity to introduce their businesses on camera with little or no preparation, helping build confidence and sharpen their networking skills.

If you would like to re-record your previous Business Primer, please let joe know before the meeting.

To register for Wednesday's meeting, use the picture QR code or link in the comments section.

You can also catch up on highlights from our May meeting via the Blacktown City Business Network page.

MEET SOME BCBN MEMBERS, THEIR BUSINESSES AND WHAT THEY DISCOVERED AT OUR MAY MEETINGCommunity involvement, Artificial In...
30/05/2026

MEET SOME BCBN MEMBERS, THEIR BUSINESSES AND WHAT THEY DISCOVERED AT OUR MAY MEETING
Community involvement, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovative ways to serve customers were among the key themes explored at the May meeting of the Blacktown City Business Network (BCBN).

The reduced-fee event was made possible through the sponsorship of Charles Barnard Consulting - Growth Engineer, with Charles also serving as Guest Host for the evening. (These options are available to all members.)

AI took centre stage in a member keynote presented by Mark Street from CTSP Pty Ltd, who shared his experiences, successes and lessons learned while using AI to develop new service offerings within his IT business. (See videos.)

Krishna Durgasi, Tech Founder of Control Shift AI, delivered a Business Insight showcasing how AI Agents can manage customer interactions across websites, email, social media, messaging platforms, voice and video calls through a single unified interface.

Using real-world case studies, he demonstrated how businesses can improve customer engagement while reducing workload. (See videos.)

Michelle Hillier, People and Culture Leader at Our Minds at Work, focused her Business Insight on the role businesses can play in helping build stronger local communities.

Her presentation aligned with the launch of her new two-hour community radio program, Building Stronger Communities, on SWR 99.9 FM.

"Building Stronger Communities is about creating spaces where people feel they belong, where conversations can happen respectfully, even when perspectives differ," Michelle said. (See videos.)

BCBN meetings are open to all business owners across the Blacktown City Council area, regardless of business size or whether they operate from home, serviced offices or commercial premises.

Meet some of our members in the videos and join us at our next networking meeting on Wednesday 3 June at 6.30pm at Workers.

The meeting is proudly sponsored by Sharma & Co Accountants & Financial Planners.

Entry is just $15, including refreshments. See the booking link below.

05/05/2026

NOTE: Wednesday evening's Networking meeting is in the Wattle Room, next door to our former meeting room.

03/05/2026

THIS WEEK’S BCBN - THE GROWTH ENGINEER PRESENTS: AI, INNOVATION & BUSINESS WISDOM

Our 6 May Blacktown City Business Network meeting at Workers (Wattle Room) is a sponsored event thanks to Charles Barnard Consulting - Growth Engineer, who will also be our Guest Host.

Artificial Intelligence gets a shakeout, including a member Keynote update on integrating it as a business offering and a debut INSIGHT on using it for customer service and sales tasks.

There's an INSIGHT on how your business can help strengthen local communities, plus great business wisdom from our Guest Host.

KEYNOTE
Mark Street from CTSP Pty Ltd will provide a Keynote update on his progress developing Artificial Intelligence to create smarter business systems. He will discuss the practical possibilities and the lessons he has learned while expanding his IT services to include customised AI solutions.

MEMBER BUSINESS INSIGHT:
Building Stronger Communities Together is a community-focused education initiative designed to bring local businesses together to learn, connect, and strengthen support for community services in your region.

Speaker Michelle Hillier, People and Culture Leader with Our Minds At Work, will discuss services available through community organisations. She will provide a better understanding of how and when people may need support and can come to you as a referral point and source of information.

MEMBER BUSINESS INSIGHT: The Sales Assistant That Never Sleeps.
Imagine having a system that can greet customers, answer questions, capture leads and follow up automatically 24/7.

With this INSIGHT Krishna Durgasi, Tech Founder of Control Shift AI, will show how AI automation is helping small and medium businesses improve customer service and sales processes without adding more pressure to business owners or staff.

See comments section for registration and information.

Missed out on April's meeting wrap? Catch up vis this link: https://www.facebook.com/BlacktownBusinessNetwork/

IT'S A WRAP FOR APRIL'S BLACKTOWN CITY BUSINESS NETWORK MEETING
02/05/2026

IT'S A WRAP FOR APRIL'S BLACKTOWN CITY BUSINESS NETWORK MEETING

29/03/2026

BCBN 1 APRIL: SPONSORED EVENT WITH POWERFUL STORIES & BUSINESS INSIGHTS
The Blacktown City Business Network (BCBN) 1 April meeting is a value-packed, sponsor-supported event proudly backed by Access and Go Transport, offering members and guests the chance to connect for just $15 per person.

The agenda combines purpose and practicality, featuring a keynote from Evelyn Somera Harrison on bringing a life-changing disability accommodation vision to reality, alongside a Business INSIGHT from Michelle Hillier on strengthening workplace wellbeing through structure, support, and early intervention.

EVENT SPONSOR & GUEST HOST
Brendan Harrison | Owner, Access and Go Transport | E: [email protected] | M: 0412 684 373 | W: www.accessngo.com.au/ | https://www.facebook.com/accessngo

MEMBER KEYNOTE A Passion Project Comes to Life.
For many years, Evelyn Somera Harrison had a dream to be able to create a Specialist Disability Accommodation project to house and provide the services for those with extreme functional impairment, or very high support needs.

Such a project would involve a lot of time, commitment, and money. This Keynote will trace the project from its inception through to the fulfilment of a dream, about to have its finishing touches!

SPEAKER
Evelyn Somera Harrison | Director | Sam-Rena's Home Care Services | E: [email protected] | 0403 111 104 | W: https://www.samrenashomecareservices.com.au/

MEMBER BUSINESS INSIGHT: Most workplaces don’t have a wellbeing problem . . . they have a structure problem.

This practical 10 min session explores how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Resilience First Aid (RFA) work together to provide both early support and guidance when things become more serious.

SPEAKER
Michelle Hillier | Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, People and Culture Leader | Our Minds at Work| P: 0492 243 307 E: [email protected] |

Missed our March meeting? Catch-up on our Blacktown City Business Network page: https://www.facebook.com/BlacktownBusinessNetwork

For registration bookings and info, see link in the comments section or use the QR code in the illustration.

Our 1 April Blacktown City Business Network meeting is a sponsored event thanks to Access and Go Transport.It will uncov...
27/03/2026

Our 1 April Blacktown City Business Network meeting is a sponsored event thanks to Access and Go Transport.

It will uncover little-known truths behind workplace wellness and reveal the completion of a member's passion project for people with disabilities plus more valuable insights.

EVENT SPONSOR & GUEST HOST
Brendan Harrison | Owner, Access and Go Transport | E: [email protected] | M: 0412 684 373 | W: www.accessngo.com.au/ | https://www.facebook.com/accessngo

MEMBER KEYNOTE A Passion Project Comes to Life.
For many years Evelyn Somera Harrison had a dream to be able to create a Specialist Disability Accommodation project to house and provide the services for those with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

Such a project would involve a lot of time, commitment and money. This Keynote will trace the project from its inception through to the fulfilment of a dream, about to have its finishing touches!

SPEAKER
Evelyn Somera Harrison | Director | Sam-Rena's Home Care Services | E: [email protected] | 0403 111 104 | W: https://www.samrenashomecareservices.com.au/

MEMBER BUSINESS INSIGHT: Most workplaces don’t have a wellbeing problem . . . they have a structure problem.
This practical 10 min session explores how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Resilience First Aid (RFA) work together to provide both early support and guidance when things become more serious.

SPEAKER
Michelle Hillier | Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, People and Culture Leader | Our Minds at Work| P: 0492 243 307 E: [email protected] | https://www.workplacemhfa.com.au/

Missed our March meeting? Catch-up on our Blacktown City Business Network page: https://www.facebook.com/BlacktownBusinessNetwork
See link for more info and registration or use the promo QR code

Members of the Blacktown City Business Network were treated to a memorable surprise at the March meeting, when author an...
26/03/2026

Members of the Blacktown City Business Network were treated to a memorable surprise at the March meeting, when author and business coach Charles Barnard gifted attendees copies of his newly released book, Forged: A Family, a Fabricator and a Fight for the Future.

Written as a business fable, Forged blends compelling characters, real-world challenges and dramatic moments into a story that both educates and entertains. Beneath the narrative lies practical business insight, woven through a storyline grounded in real-life experience.

Charles shared that the book draws heavily on his father’s failed business, which left the family homeless and living in a car. It also reflects his own struggles in business, which at one point led him to despair and contemplate su***de.

Unlike his father, however, Charles was able to draw on the tools, education and self-awareness needed to learn from those experiences, “one painful lesson at a time.”

That journey ultimately shaped his success and inspired him to distil those lessons into Forged, told through his alter ego, Kevin Wysleier.

Those interested in exploring the book further, including behind-the-scenes insights or ordering a copy, can visit the official website https://forgedbook.com.au/

The evening also featured a Business INSIGHT session from Cherie Brooking of the The Raindrop Room, who explored The Wellness Puzzle—a thought-provoking look at the growing complexity of modern wellbeing and the importance of simplicity.

Group Organiser Joe Kowalewski, concluded the meeting with a powerful personal update, reflecting on the remarkable chain of events that contributed to his survival following a major heart attack and simultaneous cardiac arrest.

The next meeting will be a sponsored event held on Wednesday 1 April from 6.30pm at Workers Blacktown in the Waratah Room.

See comments section for regisstration and program details.

WE ARE BACK, VERY MUCH ALIVE & READY FOR NETWORKING & LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLAs you may be aware, in October I collapsed...
03/03/2026

WE ARE BACK, VERY MUCH ALIVE & READY FOR NETWORKING & LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL
As you may be aware, in October I collapsed from a simultaneous heart attack and cardiac arrest. I was clinically dead and revived more than once, spending some three months in hospital.

This meeting marks a milestone in my recovery and my return to share, in person, the story of coincidence, survival, timing, resilience and the lessons drawn from it.

You will also hear from Charles Barnard, author of Forged, on leading through financial pressure, and Cherie Brooking from The Raindrop Room talking about Conundrum, The Wellness Puzzle, and why simplicity matters in modern wellbeing.

2026 speaking spots are open and we will wrap with a sharp business trends catch-up.

Find us in the Waratah Room at Workers Blacktown, Campbell Street, Blacktown from 6.30pm.

CATERED FUNCTION, Registration essential via QR code or link in the comments section.

See you soon!! :)

Joe Kowalewski
Group Organiser
Local Area Marketing & Networking Group

Address

Blacktown Workers Club
Blacktown, NSW
2147

Telephone

+61404767482

Website

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