Opening and running a business is no easy feat.
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Add in a pandemic, border closures and lockdowns and the task becomes all but impossible.
Wauchope businesses have been dealt a trying few years but the current COVID-related restrictions may be their toughest challenge yet.
Local jewellery designer and artist Michelle Cook opened her business, Utopian Living, in Wauchope during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
"It started out really good, there was a lot of support when I first opened the business," she said.
Mrs Cook started the new business venture and opened the store after losing her job due to the pandemic.
"This business was my way to make ends meet when I lost my job. It's my passion."
However, the current lockdowns across the state has meant business has slowed down.
"Because of the lockdown down south and now with what's happening up north, there are a lot less people out and about and I'm really starting to feel it," Mrs Cook said.
"It has really kicked me in the tail to start to organise my online shop and I'm currently learning as much as I can about online marketing through Facebook and Instagram."
Mrs Cook said she will keep her shop in Wauchope, but that opening up the online store will help the business stay afloat.
"People do like to look and feel the pieces of jewellery, but if we were to go into lockdown here, I would be entirely relying on the online shop.
"I do encourage people to seek local businesses online and support them that way if they can. Otherwise we won't make it through."
Mrs Cook is also currently working on her own clothing label that will be released in September.
"I try to find the point of difference and encourage people to come out to Wauchope to shop, which then has a flow on effect for all of the other businesses out here," she said.
Wauchope cafes are also feeling the impacts of current restrictions, with less locals out and about.
Owner of Waterman's Cafe, Rennier Peterson, said the last 18 months have been really trying for the business.
"It has been really tough, we've been through a lot. And now, although we aren't under the same restrictions as other places, we are feeling the ripple effect from those lockdowns," he said.
"It's the uncertainty that is difficult at the moment. Any day we could be told to close the doors because of a lockdown and that's what drains you most days."
Waterman's Cafe recently celebrated 10 years of service on August 8.
"We're very thankful that we made it to 10 years and I'm just grateful that I have all of my staff and the doors are still open," Mr Peterson said.
"We do have really great regular customers here who have been coming out to support us and it has been good in that sense.
"Wauchope is a tight knit community and we want everyone to stay in business, we need to rally together to help each other out."
The owners of Antidote Kitchen made the difficult decision to close the cafe's doors in July.
"Unfortunately our time has been cut short due to ongoing limitations, an unexpected rental increase and a lack of options to expand and create a viable future for Antidote in the current space," a post to their Facebook page read.
"Decisions like this are tough to make, especially during times of stress, pressure and uncertainty. Our plan to close is a plan to allow for some rest. It's been an intense few years for the region, country and the world. I'm so glad we could be there for you during all of it."
In response to these challenging times for local businesses, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has launched a support local campaign complete with 10 ways to do your bit to help the region's businesses, while staying COVID-safe.
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