The Northern Rivers is an amazing place to be in business, with a calibre of entrepreneurial spirit and sustainable business acumen that is unrivalled.

The ‘in good company’ Northern Rivers project has been developed as a project and campaign driver for keeping business in the region and attracting business to the region. We invite you to be part of the project as we celebrate, connect and collaborate to enhance business opportunities and facilitate economic development.

Our region is home to a diverse range of business and industry leaders and as you explore their business stories you will see a common thread and tribute to establishing or operating in the Northern Rivers. Whether it is in a coastal village, hinterland hamlet, a CBD or industrial estate Northern Rivers businesses are the mainstay of the economy and integral to employment growth and sustainable community endeavours.

In a region of close to 300,000 people within an enviable landscape of 20,000 plus kilometres, the Northern Rivers has a GRP of $13.305 billion (2.3% of the state) and significant opportunities for continued industry sector growth and development. Our project partners are facilitators in the area of economic development and have collaborated to leverage the dynamic strength of the entire Northern Rivers business offering.

Sharing business stories, connecting businesses to each other and creating collaborative opportunities are important to developing a thriving economy and positioning our region for future investment and reinvestment. We would love for you to be part of our first campaign, Bigger Backyard, and take the pledge today.

Business Stories

 

Discover the people behind the businesses in Northern Rivers and follow their journey to establish and grow their enterprises. Celebrate their achievements and share with your networks – as we work together to shine a light on our own backyard.

Evans Head Cabinetry 001
2000 1041 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

carefully crafted business success

Evans Head Cabinet Making
“People often say, ‘They don’t build things like they used to’,” says fine furniture and cabinet maker Justin Crisp. “But I can confidently say…”

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bennett construction lismore 003
1920 781 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

back to the future with new inspiration

Bennett Construction
It would be fair to say that Bennett Construction and Ballina High School have come full circle with each other. It sounds like a back to the future…

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nicholson fine foods yamba
1030 1030 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

eclectic food innovator shines

Nicholson Fine Foods
The small coastal town of Yamba is home to the one of the world’s best eating prawns, the Eastern King Prawn. It’s also home to the highest…

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Osteria Casaurina Tweed Coast
1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

overtures of romance and style

Osteria
Mark Wilson, Lia Mason and Lee Middendorf all met when the three of them were working in hospitality jobs at The Sandbar …

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1473 828 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

Dance call for Kyogle

Ascent Dance
Starting a dance school just five weeks before the onset of a pandemic might have dampened the spirits of some new business owners, but Haylee Holliday took it as a sign that Ascent Dance Studio had to succeed.

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Alstonville quality meats image 1
2000 1333 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

main street royalty reigns

Alstonville Quality Meats
There’s a giggle in the undertone of conversation when Ashley and Tina Thomson share their claim to fame as being the multi-award winning Sausage Kings…

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Be part of a region of business leaders who are increasing their ‘in region’ vs ‘out of region’ spending. When every dollar retained in the Norther Rivers has a multiplier effect on the local economy and impacts on business growth and sustainability – it’s a small step towards making difference. Take the pledge today.

Business Stories

 

Intro text to business stories. We’ve spoken to 40 awesome Northern Rivers businesses to find out how the succeeded in business in the region and the advantages they found from being based here. These stories have been published together in a printed book to coincide with the Commonwealth games 2018, and are archived here on the website.

1600 1066 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

growing community, growing business

The Farm
It’s a typical Saturday morning at The Farm, on the outskirts of Byron Bay. Families line up for freshly made pastry and coffee. Every table in the…

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bennett construction lismore 003
1920 781 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

back to the future with new inspiration

Bennett Construction
It would be fair to say that Bennett Construction and Ballina High School have come full circle with each other. It sounds like a back to the future…

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940 627 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

The Natural Rice Co.

The Natural Rice Co.
The Natural Rice Co. (NRC) is a unique enterprise not just in the Northern Rivers, but in a national context too.

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1210 864 In Good Company | Northern Rivers

crowd pleasing innovation creates a buzz

BeeInventive
It’s difficult to know where to start with the remarkable story of BeeInventive. Perhaps in the humble shed in Byron Shire bushland…

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