Entrepreneurs from capital cities to the "other side of Gilgandra" are choosing a newly-restored property in Dubbo's main street to help them do business and drive the economy.
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The Exchange Clock Tower team members have reported of strong early leasing inquiries and bookings that tell them it's "hit a niche", with demand beyond their expectations.
The prominent heritage building was completely restored last year by its new owner, engineer and 2018 Agrifutures NSW/ ACT Rural Woman of the Year Jillian Kilby.
Ms Kilby founded social impact organisation The Exchange, which is focused on increasing the chance of commercial success of start-ups in the Orana region.
She is pioneering the use of The Exchange Clock Tower building as a community and co-working space for people starting or scaling businesses.
It offers flexibility, with tiered membership levels and also private offices people can lease according to their needs, ranging from by the hour or by the year.
After holding its first event in December, the new home of The Exchange has drawn bookings from Sydney and Melbourne business people, who were looking for a venue for interviews, The Exchange project delivery manager Kate Wade reports.
But early interest and demand wasn't only arising from "big business or interstate from the cities".
Leaders of established businesses and organisations at Dubbo are also signing up.
"Luke Robinson from Chill-Rite, he has booked in for six months to use the space [one day a week], and it's just a way for him to actually get out of his business and concentrate on working on his business," Mrs Wade said.
People from the wider Orana region are also making a workplace of The Exchange Clock Tower.
"For example, a lady from the other side of Gilgandra who drops her kids to school and then wants to come in and use the space here instead of having to go all the way back home," Mrs Wade said.
"So we've had Warren, Gilgandra, Trangie people coming in and inquiring about using the space."
Mrs Wade said she understood there was nothing else like the offering from The Exchange Clock Tower "west of the Blue Mountains".
"We've hit the ground running, we're blown away by the response we've had from the community," she said.
"There was obviously a need for this in Dubbo and I think we've really hit a niche."
Mr Robinson, director of Chill-Rite, said The Exchange Clock Tower was benefitting his work life.
"I find The Exchange is a sanctuary for my mind, it's a place I can be alone to unlock bigger thinking, catch up on my emails and talk to like-minded people at the end of the day once my work is done sharing ideas, plans and contacts," he said.
"It's a place in between the office at work and home for me where I can have privacy and time to myself to knuckle down and get the things done I have been putting off for the past week."
Joh Leader, founder and CEO of LeaderLife, also uses the new space.
"When I walk into The Exchange I get that buzz feeling, the buzz feeling that turns on my innovation radar and gets the creative me flowing," she said.
"I already have two permanent office desks, one at home and one at our community centre Apollo House, but sometimes I need to get into a zone that is conducive of no interruptions, and The Exchange is my place."
The Exchange Clock Tower will be official opened at a gala night on February 14 and tickets are now available.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
