#7 Matt Hatcher - What its like being the Mayor, Online Resilience & Fostering Local Business Growth

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Hatcher — Mayor of the Eurobodalla Shire Council, local business owner, and dad — to unpack what it really looks like to juggle leadership, business, community, and family in a very public role.This conversation moves fast and jumps around (in the best way), and it quickly becomes clear just how much passion Matt brings to everything he does.WHAT WE COVER IN THE EP...Starting & running businessesMatt’s journey into business and what it takes to get something off the groundPreparing for a big summer season before the bushfires hit and the Shire came to a haltAccidentally stepping away from his business after becoming deeply involved in disaster recoveryBeing immersed in recovery efforts for around 18 monthsA viral moment during this time that resulted in selling over a quarter of a million dollars in coffee beans onlineSpilling a little tea ☕️Matt shares insight into a new business venture he’s involved in — Bar SomethingEarly details around the vision and why it’s something completely new for the areaCommunity & volunteeringThe importance of local community groups and volunteeringNew and creative ways clubs and organisations can raise moneyWhy community involvement matters in regional areasHow local government actually worksThe difference between local, state, and federal government, and who is responsible for whatDisaster recoveryPublic transportInfrastructure and planningWhat it was really like running for MayorThe very normal moment Matt received the call that he was the new MayorGoing from a regular citizen one day to Mayor the nextHow council chambers operate, voting systems, and why the Mayor is essentially one councillor among manyDevelopment, consultation & criticismHow Development Applications (DAs) workCommunity consultation and notification — and why much of it often goes unreadThe pushback and negativity that can arise when developments appear around the ShireHandling criticism, negativity, and confrontational moments — particularly in Facebook community groupsThe human sideWearing many hats across business, leadership, and family lifeBalancing public leadership with being a present dadStaying grounded while operating in the public eye-----LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EP...Bar Somethinghttps://www.barsomething.comThe Kioskhttps://www.instagram.com/its_the_kiosk/The Bearded Brewerhttps://www.beardedbrewercoffee.com/Guerrilla Roastershttps://www.guerrillaroasters.com/---Follow For Founders’ SakeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/for.founders.sake/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ForFoundersSake