Talking to NITV Radio, Nancy Bamaga revealed that the outlook for 2020 looked bright for Bamaga Productions and Consultancy then the pandemic struck.
At the onset of the coronavirus crisis in February, all major events planned for the rest of the year got instantly cancelled and she had to react quickly lest her business disappear. “If I don’t generate any income it then affects my ability to support my family,” Nancy Bamaga reflected.
She quickly adopted new technologies, staging online events and gaining new business opportunities.
Nancy Bamaga says that having a responsive business partner utilising her extensive network within the Indigenous business community was crucial to turning the situation around.
Her business has now landed major contracts with the Opera House and staging events across Queensland from Brisbane to Cape York in Far North Queensland.
Nancy Bamaga also said that one of the major obstacles that she encountered while rebuilding her business is the lack of reliable internet connectivity in many communities, especially in remote areas, where many of her clients live.
Hailing from a community development background Instead of seeing just a challenge in the poor internet connectivity, Nancy Bamaga also identified a potential business opportunity.
“How do we then work with them in terms of community development perspective to empower communities and giving them the opportunities to engage on that platform; and building our industry in that area around technology and innovation?”
“We need more of our young people to be in those locations and make sure that we can compete on that level and be able to deliver and give results to our clients.”
Nancy Bamaga also revealed that the need do react quickly and appropriately was dictated by imperatives in her industry, having to compete with other businesses especially non-Indigenous businesses.
