She knows the next few years will be challenging for Scone businesses, but is eager to help overcome the hurdles.

The recent resignation of Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s executive officer Teresa Herbert saw Ms McMahon make the step up from secretary.

On top of running her own business, Kakao Dream, she is now tasked with a number of duties including managing newsletters, organising events, maintaining the chamber’s database and updating the website.

Despite the increased workload, it’s a role she has been more than happy to fill.

“Everyone on the board is a volunteer and has their own business to run, so the executive officer does things that they maybe can’t get to,” she said.

“With the resignation of Teresa I put my hand up because someone needs to do this role.

“Teresa has done an exceptional job; she really did a lot to bring the chamber into the modern world and push it out into the community through her work with Facebook and that kind of thing.

“I just want to now keep communication channels open, listen, and be that middle person who can bring feedback back to the board.”

Ms McMahon said the chamber was pushing for a united front from businesses ahead of inevitable changes in the near future.

“The current feel is that the chamber’s really focused on cohesion between all of the local businesses because we’ll be going through a lot of changes over the next couple of years with the bypass,” she said.

“And that’s not just in the main street, but the whole area.”