Skills shortages in some occupations, the desire for flexible working conditions among parents returning to work and employers seeking mature and experienced workers has seen the Career Mums business flourish. Career Mums is an online career centre that specifically targets opportunities for working parents wanting flexibility as they re-enter the workforce. The Canberra business was established in 2006 by Kate Sykes who believed she could create an alternative to government back-to-work programs. Career Mums took the opportunity to target skilled parents typically aged between 30 and 50 by offering a ‘jobs board’ website. In addition to matching candidates with employers, the company works with employers to retain working parents by developing and implementing flexible work programs. Since its inception, the number of jobs featured on the website has risen from 80 a day to a daily average of 350 to 400.

“Our objective is to be Australia’s primary jobs board and career resources centre for working parents.” — Kate Sykes, Director.

Opening a farmer’s fresh produce shop in North Lyneham was a natural progression for the Pentony family who were instrumental in establishing two farmers’ markets in Canberra. While Dave Pentony worked with the Rotary Club of Hall to establish the Capital Region Farmers Market, son Paddy Pentony was setting up the Southside Farmers Market in Phillip. Their experience in selling chemical free vegetables for 10 years, their support for other producers and their desire to promote healthy local foods led them to join forces to open Choku Bai Jo early in 2008. The shop sells only Australian-grown produce that is picked fresh every day. After being chemical-free for 20 years, the family farm Gleann na Meala has achieved organic certification. Choku Bai Jo opens from 2pm to 7pm (weekdays) to allow picking in the morning and collection of regional produce from Young, Cowra, and Picton and drop-offs from Leeton and Batlow.

"We sell fresh certified organic produce from our family farm the day it is picked and people can taste the difference” — Pat Pentony, Director.

In 2005 passionate mountain biker Darren Stewart saw a business opportunity in the emerging and specialised track building market in Australia. Traditionally, the construction of mountain bike tracks relied on volunteers such as Darren. He established Makin Trax Australia which designs, constructs and maintains mountain bike, walking and multi-use track networks. The Canberra business has expanded its capabilities in the past year, with a sustainability management team. This provides the foundation for the creation of world class tracks through environmental scoping, planning and site and track auditing. Makin Trax has produced the acclaimed Stromlo Forest Park track, used to host the UCI World Mountain Bike and Trials Championships in 2009 which brought 750 elite riders and over 40,000 spectators to Canberra. It was also responsible for the Casuarina Walking Trail refurbishment on Mount Majura. Darren drew on his experience in franchising and as a licensed builder, where producing consistent outcomes was key, to develop a track network and building system backed by a warranty, which is unprecedented in the industry.

Improving employee health and overall staff performance is the core business of Pro-Fit Corporate Health, a national provider of workplace health and wellbeing initiatives. Established in Canberra in 2002, Pro-Fit services a variety of organisations from large government departments to smaller private firms. Recently, it was engaged to run national health assessment programs for two large agencies, where employees received vital feedback on health predictors such as cholesterol, glucose levels and blood pressure, in addition to advice on how to improve their results. As well as health assessment programs, Pro-Fit delivers at-work fitness classes, lifestyle seminars, 90 Day corporate challenges and targeted programs on key areas such as stress management, sleep and fatigue. Pro-Fit also services the general public through its boutique health club, bootcamps and 90-day “Wellness Revolution” programs.

“Forward thinking companies realise that our programs increase personal health, energy and overall engagement levels which then results in improved performance for the organisation.” — Chris Males, Managing Director.

At the height of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Empire Financial Planning increased communication with clients from an average of nine to 35 times a year. It is this commitment to communications that has underpinned the businesses ongoing success. Since its establishment in 1997, the Forrest business has responded to many legislative and compliance changes and industry reputation issues by immediately raising the level of face-to-face, email and newsletter contact with clients. The business also believes that holding its own Australian Financial Services licence is another factor supporting its success and enables it to provide the best possible advice to clients on financial and investment matters. Another key to their success is staff retention with key employees having more than seven years of service and extensive staff training. These elements combined have all supported the company’s average growth of 36 per cent a year.

"When our clients have achieved their goals, we have achieved ours.” — Dominic W. Kelly, Managing Director.

While many businesses froze investment decisions during the global financial crisis (GFC), Deakin financial planners Green Associates took an opposite approach. In the midst of the GFC, the business hired two financial planners, bought a client base, started an accountancy firm and opened a Brisbane office. Green Associates, started in 1995 by father and son team Tony and Craig Green, is now a leading financial planning service operating under the AXA Financial Planning Dealership, part of the global AXA group. It offers financial, retirement and estate planning, advice on superannuation, taxation, insurance and ethical investments. Green Associates’ marketing during the GFC focused on client retention, supported by newspaper and Yellow Pages advertising and improving its website to attract new business. The highest revenue service that Green Associates provides is personal superannuation, reflecting the community interest in retirement income.

"We take responsibility for our own words and actions, meet our obligations and seek out opportunities to give credit where it is due.” — Trina Wood, Senior Financial Planner.

Drought, water restrictions and the implications of climate change prompted the establishment of Provincial Plants and Landscapes in 2001. Founded by partners with environmental design, horticulture, ecology and land care credentials, the company creates and remodels drought tolerant gardens and restores degraded environments. In 2005, Provincial Plants and Landscapes expanded by opening a nursery and re-vegetation service in Pialligo. Its integrated range of contemporary, water-conscious and eco-friendly landscape products and services enables it to take projects from concept to completion. The business has grown from a two-person, home-based business to one with 11 full-time equivalent employees and premises in the ACT and NSW. Provincial Plants and Landscapes has developed a reputation as a “go to” resource for industry affiliates, government agencies and decision-makers. One of its most recent appointments was as principal landscape contractor for the 700-lot Brindabella Estate sub-division, Canberra’s first development with native grass verges.

"We’ve learned that we can be successful while making a valuable contribution to society, lifestyles and the environment.” — Lisa Roberts, Director.

Father and son home building business, Today’s Homes & Lifestyle, was developed to service a market niche for constructions priced between $300,000 and $750,000. The partnership between Brendan McCoullough, with five years experience in completing difficult construction jobs on time and budget, and father Peter, with 35 years experience in building, development and real estate, proved a natural fit. By concentrating on contract home construction, the business develops strong cash flows without being involved in speculative or high-risk projects. The business prides itself on being original, with Today’s Homes & Lifestyle never building the same house twice. The business has won Housing Industry Association Awards in custom built, small lot and ‘green smart’ categories and was the 2009 Australian Small to Medium Professional Builder of the Year. Today the business employs 12 staff and about 100 sub-contractors.

"In a market sector where relationships are critical, we place a strong emphasis on staff training, mentoring and development.” — Brendan McCoullough, Chief of Operations.

The clue to Viridis E3’s business lies in its name – viridis is Latin for green and E3 relates to the company’s three key business service areas of energy, environment and economy. Founded in 2007 by directors Warren Overton and Jonathon Dalton, the environmentally sustainable development consultancy added strategic and corporate development to its business with the arrival of its third director Gesa Ruge. Its client base includes federal and local government, not-for-profit organisations, private and corporate clients in health, education, retail, property and aged care. A large sector of the business is the provision of advice to green building projects and those seeking ‘Green Star” certification. Viridis E3’s directors have been involved in the delivery of ‘Green Star’ tools since their inception seven years ago. The Phillip-based business completes more than 100 projects a year and consequently its staff numbers have grown from 3 to 14 employees.

"Our vision is to help our clients achieve genuine triple bottom line improvement in their buildings and operations.” — Warren Overton, Managing Director.

Richard Luton Properties has seen tremendous growth since its launch in 1999, opening six local offices with plans for a seventh underway. The company was formed after Richard Luton was named the Real Estate Institute’s ACT Agent of the Year while working at another agency. Taking the win and his ‘customer-for-life philosophy’, his real estate agency provides residential sales and property management services. It now employs a total of 73 staff in offices in each of Canberra’s established ‘town centres’. In this highly-competitive industry populated by national brands, the business says outstanding customer service, an ethical approach, database innovation, and staff training are behind its turnover more than doubling between 2004 and 2009. The business is also keen to promote ‘green principles’ within its industry. In the Real Estate Institute of ACT’s 2009 Awards, Richard Luton Properties was recognised as an industry leader by winning awards for training and development and innovation.

“Making proactive regular contact with our client base in residential sales is key to generating ongoing client referrals.” – Justine Simonds, Operations Manager.

Experience in the asbestos surveying and air monitoring industry led Anne and John Robson to form their own company in 1990 to offer a multi-disciplinary scientific, safety and consultancy service in Canberra and surrounding areas. Robson Environmental employs 31 staff with expertise in hazardous materials, occupational hygiene, environmental assessment and remediation, training, NATA accredited laboratory services and OH&S. Since its inception, the company has assessed more than 500 home sites after the 2003 Canberra bushfires, surveyed 11 Australian embassies for asbestos materials and, where necessary, monitored its removal. It also advises on contaminated sites in the ACT and is undertaking asbestos surveys of all ACT government schools and colleges. In addition to its work locally, the company has provided asbestos air monitoring and site assessment in Banda Acheh after the 2005 tsunami and trained local professionals to sample material containing asbestos. It also has trained locals in Nauru to remove asbestos sheeting from a school building.

“The company and all our staff are committed to leaving the world a better and safer place for future generations.” — Lynette Svanosio, Office Manager.

stratsec is an information security consulting, testing and research services business, established by Doug Stuart, Peter Lilley and Nick Ellsmore, to remove some of the mystery and “doom and gloom” about IT security. Their fresh perspective focused on the business needs of ICT security rather than the technology based approach to which they had been accustomed. stratsec specialises in consulting and testing services for government and commercial clients providing a level of assurance that their clients are protected from cyber threats. Launching with three staff in Canberra, the business expanded as it won a Department of Defence contract, established a licence as an Australasian Information Security Evaluation Facility and a contract with the Malaysian Government. It secured key international clients such as Microsoft, IBM, Juniper and Becrypt and now employs more than 40 permanent staff in Australia and Asia. It is now concentrating on regional expansion from its new Singapore and Malaysian offices.

“We remove the jargon that is so prevalent in cyber security and provide advice that helps business managers to make informed decisions.” — Peter Lilley, Chief Executive Officer.

Canberra contract cleaner Ultra Care Cleaning Services was determined to mark itself as different when it launched into the highly competitive industry in 2002. The company’s management believes the key to its growth in turnover is a reputation for ethical business practices, support for cleaning staff and a promise to always provide a quality service to clients. Ultra Care Cleaning Services has reached its primary goal of joining the industry’s top five in the ACT through winning government tenders such as Centrelink’s 40,500 square metre national headquarters and contracts with a large facilities management company. While cleaning contracts are fairly standardised, Ultra Care Cleaning Services differentiates itself by its fully-integrated Total Quality Management System which shows prospective clients its plans on quality assurance, OH&S, environmental management and performance evaluation. Ultra Care Cleaning Services promotes waste management practices that strive to achieve close to zero to landfill outcomes.

"Our Total Quality Management approach led us to securing an ever-increasing market share and to hold on to our contracts over time.” — Christine Johnston, Director Quality.

Offering total landscape solutions for residential and commercial projects and combining environmentally-responsible products and services under one roof, is the innovative concept that has been behind the growth of Provincial Plants and Landscapes. The company designs and constructs water-wise, easy-care landscapes and then supplies and installs drought tolerant plants and boutique garden décor to remodel or rehabilitate a client’s garden. It also has a nursery which has grown from 200-4000 square metres and increased its stock from 10,000 to 500,000 plants while expanding its plant range to 250 species of native and ornamental plants. The carbon neutral certified company, established in 2001, has also made the commitment to use renewable energy in its operations and harvests more than three million litres of rainwater. The company was recently awarded the national 2010 Nursery & Garden Industry Environment Award, judges described Provincial’s nurseries and business practices as a benchmark for the industry.

“We create eco – chic landscapes and restore unhealthy ecosystems back to their full potential.” — Lisa Roberts, Director.

While Australia is highly regarded for its capabilities and expertise in cyber security, innovation in security products is mainly coming from the US, Europe and Asia. ACT information security consultants stratsec is set to reverse that trend by developing an Information Security Management Portal. The web-based product will provide security managers, system owners and administrators with a more consistent, real-time and controlled method for managing cyber security risks. The modularised ISM is designed for a wide range of local and international, government and commercial clients that have specific information security compliance and management requirements. Building on a proven track record of delivering high quality ICT security business consulting and testing services, stratsec's development of the ISM product is on track for it to reach commercialisation and market delivery early in 2011.

“Being the leaders and innovators in this space will place stratsec – and Australia – at the forefront of the cyber security industry.” — Nick Ellsmore, Chief Technology Officer.

Phillip-based consultancy Viridis E3 has developed innovative tools that assist in communicating, monitoring and reporting on a more sustainable design and development process. The company believes that environmental sustainability requires project design to be linked to long term business behaviour. Through the development of tailored project services combined with staff support and business advice, Viridis E3 has achieved lasting change among its clients. According to Gesa Ruge, Director for Corporate Development, the company demonstrates that integration of sustainability is practical, brings longer term efficiencies and benefits to each business and does not necessarily increase costs. Founded in 2007, Viridis E3 realises that change is gradual for established property businesses and will only occur if it can permeate the organisation and its culture on all levels.

"As our clients adopt sustainability, we also change our role - often from a technical consultant to a trusted corporate advisor.” — Gesa Ruge, Director Corporate Development.

Deakin-based financial planners Green Associates takes its commitment to the community seriously, by promoting social responsibility to staff and its clients. Founded by father and son Tony and Craig Green in 1995, the business is paperless for its client management and seeks suppliers who offset their carbon usage. Green Associates also runs client seminars which promote steps to reduce carbon footprint of individuals and businesses. They provide a shopping guide to clients to assist them in buying brands with sound environmental practices. In addition it offers ‘green portfolios’ to encourage investment in environmentally and socially aware companies and technologies. Mass marketing of the green investment packages is expected to attract new clients to the company, which is part of the AXA Financial Planning Dealership.

“We believe that by being socially responsible, we are performing better because we attract quality staff and customers.” — Trina Wood, Senior Financial Planner.

Revegetating areas devastated by bushfires and rehabilitating highway edges are among the projects which Pialligo-based Provincial Plants and Landscapes undertook recently. Their expertise in landscape restoration has led them to creating wetlands in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and planting 250,000 provenance species along the Gungahlin Drive Extension in the ACT. The environmentally-responsible landscape restoration and nursery business was established in 2001 and is committed to minimising its carbon footprint and understanding the risks and opportunities posed by climate change. Provincial Plants and Landscapes improves air, soil and water quality and increases biodiversity and habitat by propagating and planting appropriate native species and choosing eco-friendly products and services. The business has collected 10 tonnes of seed from its nursery for revegetation projects and propagation and has planted more than four million plants. It donates excess stock to Landcare, Coastcare, National Parks, schools and community group revegetation projects.

“We’re setting an example by being carbon neutral, embracing renewable energy technology and rainwater harvesting.” — Lisa Roberts, Director.

For the past seven years, employees of ACT real estate agency Richard Luton Properties have organised a Valentine’s Day Ball to raise funds for charities. Agents also use their auctioneering skills to regularly conduct charity auctions – 20 in the past year alone – for groups such as ACT Organ Donors, SIDS and the RSPCA. All Richard Luton agents undertake volunteering roles in their neighbourhoods as part of the business’ commitment to give back to the Canberra community that sustains it. Making a positive difference in the local community is integral to the vision of the company which was established in 1999 and now employs 73 people in six ACT offices. Richard Luton Properties launched a ‘green policy’ which seeks to educate and support clients in their growing awareness of the environmental benefits of reducing the carbon footprint at home – a policy which won them the Real Estate Institute of ACT’s 2009 Award for innovation.

“We are firm believers in the law of reciprocating, that those who succeed should always give back.” — Justine Simonds, Operations Manager.

Information security consultants stratsec make an impact across a number of ACT, national and international organisations through pro-bono or significantly cost-reduced work. It assists community and charitable bodies with ICT security information, testing and documentation that they would not normally afford. stratsec provides security advice, assurance and penetration testing for World Wildlife Fund Australia, UNICEF, Amnesty International, ReachOut!, Starlight Children’s Fund, LiveWire.org.au and the Inspire Foundation. stratsec also supports the Internet Industry Association security portal, an initiative designed to build community confidence in using the internet by promoting ‘a culture of security.’ statsec provides a workplace environment and culture that ensures information flow and delegation. Hot desk arrangements enable stratsec directors to sit with staff rather than being enclosed in offices and the business offers flexible work from home arrangements and benefits such as additional leave.

“Community responsibility is part of our business culture.” — Doug Stuart, Chief Operating Officer.

Today’s Homes & Lifestyle is proving that environmentally responsible housing can be practical, affordable, and durable. The Fyshwick contract home builder, established by father and son team Peter and Brendan McCoullough in 2001, has built numerous GreenSmart accredited homes in the ACT and is committed to embracing environmental leadership through the Housing Industry of Australia’s GreenSmart Code of Practice. Practices in waste management, recyclable materials, design to reduce carbon footprint and sediment and erosion control are built into the company’s OH&S system. Today’s Homes & Lifestyle entered the new environmentally responsible housing market four years ago when it was evident that the industry was not meeting consumer demand. They have recently built two 6 star energy efficient rated display homes in Canberra. The display homes enable people to see and understand first hand that building an energy efficient home is easily achievable through correct design and proper use of products and materials. Today’s Homes & Lifestyle expect to expand rapidly into new suburban markets as the ACT is introducing a 6 star energy rating for all new homes in 2010.

“There is no limit to the opportunities of environmentally responsible homes – all new homes across Australia must achieve a 6 star energy rating by March 2012.” — Brendan McCoullough, Chief of Operations.

Environmentally sustainable development consultancy Viridis E3 worked with both builder and land owner on a 36-storey office development in Brisbane’s CBD to achieve a 6 star green star design and ‘world leader’ status. This is not the first recognition that Viridris E3 has received for its benefits to the environment, with the consultancy being involved with many projects that receive best practice in sustainability recognition. As well as helping many companies and projects achieve their environmental goals the business itself walks the talk by achieving triple bottom line outcomes in environmental, social and financial respects. It involves staff in environmental purchasing decisions, operating and energy-saving procedures. Viridis E3 puts five per cent of profits into staff development and offers one week paid training per person each year. It also gives five per cent of profits to charities, free training to industry groups and voluntary work for sustainable community organisations.

“We want to demonstrate that a business can be profitable, be a great workplace and also make a valuable contribution to the sustainability of our community.” — Jonathan Dalton, Technical Director.