Erica Bagshaw - The Alignment Group Pty LtdSteve Blyth - Jindabyne JoineryJohn Estreich - Crestwood Electronic Services
Erica Bagshaw - The Alignment Group Pty Ltd
With extensive corporate experience plus qualifications in neurolinguistic programming and Reiki, Erica Bagshaw was clear about her business goal - to set up a personal development practice. The result was The Alignment Group, a North Sydney-based company which, through facilitation and coaching, helps individuals and small-to-medium sized businesses to grow and change without stress.
But planning for the future of The Alignment Group took a back seat.
“Although I had a vision for the company and intended to write a business plan, the day-to-day business delivery always took priority,” says Erica. That’s why I decided to do a business planning course.
“By attending the Department’s Home-Based Business Action Program workshop on business planning I learned how to use a tool kit to build a clearer picture of my business, both as it is now and where I want to take it in the future. The workshop also helped me ask myself some tough questions and be more realistic about my choices and opportunities.
“Now I’m more aware of the strengths of my business as well as potential risks that I hadn’t previously considered. After completing the course and using the toolkit, I feel more confident about myself and my business.”
Contact Home-Based Business Action ProgramPhone: 9338 6611Email: maria.estrada@business.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/hbb
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Jindabyne Joinery
Rediscovering his carpentry skills and turning part-time work for friends into a full-time job made business sense for ski instructor Steve Blyth.
“After purchasing a rural block near Jindabyne in 1999 I started to build a new home,” Steve explains. “Friends who saw the kitchen I was building were so impressed that they asked me to build and install new kitchens for them, which I did part-time during the skiing off-season.”
In 2000 Steve visited business counsellor John Mercer at the Snowy-Monaro Business Enterprise Centre to discuss the feasibility of establishing a kitchen manufacturing business.
“As a result, over the next two years I started to concentrate on building my business,” Steve says. “I put up a joinery shed on my property and used it to build kitchens for the local market, which was growing rapidly thanks to an increasing population and building activity in the mountains.
“By 2006 the turnover from Jindabyne Joinery had reached $400,000, but I still felt I was not in control of the business growth. After attending the Department’s Home-Based Business Action Program workshop on business planning I had a better understanding of small business challenges and confirmed my future direction.”
Steve has now taken on his first apprentice and is moving to bigger premises.
John Estreich - Crestwood Electronic Services
John Estreich of Baulkham Hills set up Crestwood Electronic Services in 2004 to take advantage of his years of experience in electronic design.
When he first started the venture Mr Estreich was faced with the dilemma of converting a hobby into a viable business.
A friend introduced him to the local Business Advisory Service where he attended breakfast meetings before becoming a member.
The next step was to formulate a business plan to ensure Mr Estreich had the necessary skills to plan, market and run the business more effectively.
He took part in the Home-based Business Action Program on Business Planning which allowed him to position the business, analyse the most successful type of marketing and develop a unique selling proposition.
"I found the course material detailed and challenging, but to get the most out of it, it was essential to keep up to date with the home work," Mr Estreich said.
"The course made me analyse myself and my business and gave me a much clearer direction on how to promote the business.
"I intend to use a new theme in all my marketing material, such as my business cards, brochures and website.
"Anyone considering starting up or running a home-based business should seriously consider taking these courses," he said.