“Each client, whether private or corporate, is as important as the next and we treat each with the same care and customer service.” – Julie Scott, Director.

Gold Coast business Basket Basket produces personalised gift baskets and hampers for all occasions that are delivered overnight across Australia and New Zealand. Established in 2003, the business strives to keep loyal clients happy by offering a changing and innovative gift range. Director Julie Scott said the gifts should not just create an impression but leave a lasting impression so clients are offered the option of adding personal messages and logos to gift hampers. The Southport-based business has grown from a home garage to a factory warehouse and built a reliable network of suppliers for its 250-product range that includes embroidered birthday, anniversary and baby gifts, customised gift tins and gourmet hampers. It has corporate clients in retail and finance sectors including McDonalds, LJ Hooker, Prouds Jewellers, Rams Home Loans and Warner Village Theme Parks. Basket Basket’s most recent full year turnover growth exceeded 100 per cent.

“Our logo is an elephant which can represent knowledge, strength of character and positive energy – values that have made us successful.” – Julie Agnew, CEO.

Since 2003, JADE Corporate and Community Development has delivered training and organisational and career development services. Corporate clients include Queensland Rail, CSR Ethanol, CSR Sugar and the Valley Retirement Centre. Their career development expertise has been supplied to the likes of Bradken, P&H Mine Pro and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. JADE is also active and respected in the community – for the past seven years it has run the Mackay & District Careers Market Expo and in 2010 it organised its inaugural Human Resources Conference in Mackay. CEO Julie Agnew said JADE has maintained revenue during recent floods, the global financial crisis and political unrest through innovation and service excellence. It won a Federal Government grant to provide succession planning for businesses throughout regional Queensland and is contracted to the state government as mentors for small business.

“For us a job only is completed when the customer says so - meeting their expectations is the key to our ongoing success.” – James Baker, Managing Director.

James Baker describes himself as “not just a painter.” Starting as an apprentice to his father in Perth in 1969, he moved to Brisbane in 1986 and established James W Decorating in suburban Algester. James said he always strived to deliver standards of quality reaching far beyond those expected of a professional painting company. As his career expanded his confidence and a keen business sense developed. James W Decorating paints and decorates residential and commercial premises and the company’s net profit ratio has exceeded the industry average in recent years. A thirst for knowledge and desire to adapt to change led to industry recognition and two Dulux Accredited Painter of the Year Awards. James wrote a book funded by Dulux Australia called “How To Become A Really Successful Painter” and also developed job tracking software for tradespeople.

“MNC psychologists are dedicated to each client’s needs and their success – and we collaborate with coaches, parents, partners, sports scientists and management.” – Dr Andrea Furst, Owner.

Operating from Brisbane’s Stanley Street at The Gabba, Mental Notes Consulting (MNC) is a leading provider of sports psychology services for Australian and international clients. Established in 2004, the business is passionate about maximising the performance of individuals and teams – from top professional athletes to recreational sporting clubs, and school, district and state champions. Dr Andrea Furst said MNC applies principles of sport and positive psychology and assists elite performers to manage what she calls “the imbalance of being a highly skilled athlete and a person.” MNC’s contract partners include the Queensland Academy of Sport, the Australian Institute of Sport, Singapore Sports Council, the Brisbane Lions and leading netball, tennis, golf and motorcycling associations. Work with high profile sporting organisations contributes 40 per cent of net profit. Andrea said MNC includes all team members in business development with a move to profit-sharing after two years.

“We are committed to acting as an ecologically and socially responsible corporate citizen, supporting causes such as the One Laptop Per Child project.” – Chad Outten, Director.

My Learning Space provides e-learning solutions to the corporate, government, not-for-profit and education sectors with services including consultancy, hosting, training and support for learning management systems. Client Services Manager Dr Shalona Anuj said My Learning Space offers anytime, anywhere learning solutions that are professional, personalised, reliable and responsive. Located at Hope Island on the Gold Coast, the business has corporate clients such as eBay, Shell and Rip Curl, government agencies such as Queensland Health and NSW Department of Juvenile Justice and not-for-profits including SA Public Libraries and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. My Learning Space, whose Director Chad Outten has more than 15 years experience in the education and ICT sector, competes on service quality rather than the quantity of resources and products it offers. From humble beginnings in 2007, the business is now a profitable private company with two full time staff and is considering employing additional consultants.

“We operated two photographic road show vans that were on the road for a combined total of 364 days in 2010 while visiting 45 locations.” – Melanie Summer, Director.

Melanie Summer and two partners established Top Shots Glamour Photography in 2005 but two years later rising debt led to discussions about closing. Melanie bravely decided to take over the business as sole shareholder and, from the ashes, Flash Fotos was born, offering clients glamour photography services that would make them look like models. Melanie invested in her professional development with a photography business coach and refined the marketing and pricing plans for the Sunshine Coast photography studio. The business really turned the corner when Melanie established full-time photographic road shows in five states and territories. Flash Fotos has serviced more than 10,000 customers, has 18 full-time equivalent staff and posted net profit growth of about 35 per cent in the past two years. In 2010, Flash Fotos later opened new premises in Maroochydore’s retail precinct. Further expansion and success has followed this year with the addition of a third road show servicing Western Australia.

“We have built a cult following for Sly Underwear without an excessive marketing budget by allowing customers to feel part of the journey.” – Dan Murray, Brand Manager.

Three years ago, aged 17 and fresh out of school, Dan Murray launched a men’s underwear label aimed at a market between high priced designer garments and mass-produced undies. From early days of selling Sly Underwear out of the back of a van, Dan’s creations are now found in more than 200 Australian stores including leading surf chain City Beach. Dan said the underwear designs are youth lifestyle oriented and represent street culture. Patterns range from denim and paintball to clouds and photo prints. A former winner of a competition encouraging entrepreneurship among young people, the 20-year-old now employs 14 people in his Gold Coast-based wholesale business. He plans to launch women’s designs this year and sign distributors’ agreements with the US. Dan is already selling in New Zealand. Sly Underwear appropriately uses social media to target its markets and the innovative brand signed up Australia’s Got Talent 2010 winners Justice Crew for promotions in 2011.

“We believe in integrity, value and quality – we want to be recognised around Australia as a household name in greening your home.”– Lachlan Laing, Director.

Sustainable Man, located in Brisbane’s Morningside, is a family business that originated five years ago as a rainwater tank specialist. Deciding to grow organically, it added solar hot water and solar power products, energy efficient pool pumps and LED lighting to its range. Director and general manager Lachlan Laing said that while the industry was experiencing high growth due to government rebates, Sustainable Man was aiming at long term turnover and profit growth through a steady-paced approach. Educating customers about living sustainably with a smaller environmental footprint is part of the business – advising how to reduce household energy bills and selling products to make a difference. Sustainable Man has grown from a home-based sole trader to a business with 13 staff. Lachlan said that as small business owners they’ve had to overcome difficulties every day by tenacity and perseverance and through not compromising on integrity, quality and value.

“We are excited about the social media and community based initiatives we have launched this year, confident they will serve our pet owning customers even better.” – Steven Perissinotto, Director.

VetShopAustralia owns and operates websites retailing animal health products in Australia and globally. Established in 1999 by veterinarian Dr Mark Perissinotto and his brother Steven, a lawyer, the business has grown to a turnover of more than $12 million. One of Australia’s top three online retailers of animal health products, in 2001 the business launched an independent website to serve the US market which, like many export operations, has faced challenges from currency fluctuations. VetShopAustralia undertook major overhauls of its websites in 2003, 2007 and 2010 to ensure ease of use and maximum functionality for customers. It was recognised with the prestigious 2009 Australian Online Retailer of the Year Award from the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association, ahead of other candidates eBay and Graysonline. The business has 130,000 customers and five full-time and five part-staff at its purpose-designed premises at Forest Glen on the Sunshine Coast.

“Our goal now is to make our product available to the world and establish ourselves as a leading global gluten free manufacturer.” - Josef Zehnder, Director.

From bread and cookies to pizza and frozen desserts, Zehnder Gluten Free makes a wide variety of gluten free food at its production facility on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. In 2007 the Zehnder family established the eponymous brand after nine months of trials with gluten free foods. Swiss-born director Josef Zehnder, who migrated to Australia in 1988, said the company believes its gluten free bread is equal or better in taste and quality than wheat based products. Gluten is contained in cereals and is detrimental to the health of coeliacs. Josef said Zehnder products are not just gluten free but also meet other vital nutritional needs for a well balanced diet. With 14 staff, the business grew turnover by 85 per cent in the last full financial year. Josef said the business is opening a factory in Switzerland to supply European markets in mid-2011 and plans to open in North America in 2012.

“We are committed to becoming Australia’s number one alternative asset manager – and listing the business on the ASX.” – Mark Sowerby, Managing Director.

Blue Sky Funds Management was launched in 2006 to develop investment opportunities in private equity and is Australia’s only dedicated alternative asset fund manager with investment offerings across all four major alternative asset classes – private equity, private real estate, hedge funds and water. Managing Director Mark Sowerby said establishing such a business without the usual investment banking pedigree was an enormous challenge but an ability to capture and generate new ideas and a focus on being “institutional grade” have been critical to its growth. He said Blue Sky managed to weather the storm of the global financial crisis and grew all four divisions. Key milestones include its first private equity investment in a Mexican restaurant chain at Bondi Beach, pioneering Australia’s first “wet” Water Fund and the acquisition of a stake in award-winning hedge fund Aperion.. With offices in Brisbane and Adelaide, the business now has 28 employees and more than $200 million in funds under management.

“We see ourselves as a service business rather than a software company - we support our product even if a problem has nothing directly to do with our software.” – Chris Peters, Managing Director.

The core focus of Digital Instinct Pty Ltd is producing and implementing the world’s best rostering system for the casino market – little wonder the Brisbane business has offices in Las Vegas, Macau and Singapore. The software development and professional services company was conceived in 1998 to produce a more effective roster. After years of different sales strategies Digital Instinct decided to specialise by creating a niche that led to its first casino client, the Treasury Casino project. After signing other Australian casinos, Digital Instinct secured contracts with Wynn Macau and Wynn Las Vegas before winning a global tender for Ontario Lottery and Gaming involving 22 sites with 8000 staff. The company’s software can be configured instead of hard-coded for each client providing flexibility, reduced implementation time and a competitive edge internationally. Digital has grown from a team of four in 2000 to 31 staff in 2011.

“Clients using our services can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on energy costs.” – Brett Saunders, Director.

Hiflow Industries has been trading for five years as a commercial air conditioning and mechanical services company. It specialises in programmed maintenance, repairs, office fit-outs and project installations on high rise buildings, shopping centres, government laboratories, power stations and refineries. Director Brett Saunders said it was a challenge to get the company off the ground as a small competitor to national companies. But persistence and commitment has seen the business succeed and grow at 56 per cent average per year, even through the GFC. Hiflow, based in Geebung, employs 50 staff nationally and uses about 15 sub-contractors – it was a 2010 national finalist in the air conditioning, refrigeration and building services industry awards for best maintenance and service provider. Brett said Hiflow provides an additional service, an online job management and asset tracking tool that separates it from competitors.

“We actively search for the best staff and work hard to keep them – they’re the backbone of our business and it is their knowledge and experience that brings most value to the customers.” – Dan McHugh, Director.

Signmanager is a consulting company specialising in corporate signage management. The business was established in 2000 when directors Dan McHugh, Kris Vogt and Alan Hadley identified an opportunity to redesign how branded assets can be delivered into the retail environment. Based in Brisbane’s Petrie Terrace, the business developed its own online content management system for monitoring and maintaining corporate branding across multiple retail sites. Signmanager manages national brand roll-outs, rebranding, maintenance and repair programs for more than 40 multinational corporations at 40,000 retail outlets worldwide, while simultaneously uniting more than 2,000 contractors and suppliers within its online environment. Dan McHugh cites securing contracts with some of the world's leading companies including Foster's Group, Australia Post, GE Money and Aldi among Signmanager’s major achievements. Clientele in the US includes Starbucks, Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell and Macy's. In 2007, Signmanager was awarded a $45,000 Queensland Government Grant to upgrade the company’s Information and Communications Technology system to support further international expansion.

“Stream Group's goal is that our brand is associated with quality and service. For a homeowner, making an insurance claim can be a stressful situation and therefore needs to be as painless as possible.” – Don McKenzie, Director.

Stream Group was established in 2007 and provides assessing and repairs management services to insurance companies across Australia and New Zealand. Founder and director, Don McKenzie, said claims managed by Stream Group have risen from 2,000 in 2008 to 15,000 in 2010. Last year’s activity was matched in the first three months of 2011 due to recent natural disasters in Australia and New Zealand. Staff numbers have increased from 122 to 145 since the beginning of the year. Stream developed a new IT platform to improve the claims management processes by managing costs without sacrificing service to the insured. The system allows accredited suppliers to tender and manage claims remotely, reducing the time it takes to authorise and complete repairs. In 2008, the company’s efforts were recognised when it received the Australia and New Zealand Institute for Insurance and Finance Innovation of the Year Award.

“All activities undertaken at Technigro are aimed at finding truly economical, environmentally friendly, holistic and sustainable solutions.” – Nick Bloor, CEO.

Technigro is a leading urban vegetation management business, specialising in natural areas, parks and gardens, road networks and sports turf. Starting out as a one-man weed control business on the Gold Coast in 1987, Technigro has grown into a multi-million dollar operation that provides consulting and contracting services to government and commercial customers between Northern NSW and the Sunshine Coast. Its in-house research and development facility developed specialist equipment, such as spray units that prevent herbicides escaping in windy conditions, to revolutionise vegetation management in Australia. Technigro initiated the Integrated Vegetation Management Project (IVMP), a three-year research project aimed at identifying the most effective and sustainable vegetation management practices facing Australia. The project was run in conjunction with Gold Coast City Council, Brisbane City Council and Horticulture Australia. Technigro has since set up several pilot projects to apply the IVMP outcomes and principles into different environments. Technigro was awarded the 2010 Gold Coast Business Excellence Mayor’s Innovation Award.

“We operate by following the phrase “specialise before you generalise.” – Chris Peters, Managing Director.

Fifty-four casino properties around world use Digital Instinct’s software to manage their workforce and plans are underway to extend its implementation to 35 more sites over the next two to three years. The business, based at Brisbane’s West End, has a goal of becoming the leading provider of labour management systems to the global casino industry. Digital Instinct’s major innovation and differentiator is a module that caters for accurate scheduling of a casino table games department. It developed a tool that analyses casino data and provides times to open and close and appropriately staff each table. Managing Director Chris Peters said the company believed that before it could provide services to other industries it had to be the best in its chosen sphere. Another Digital Instinct objective is to use the knowledge gained by producing software for a complex industry to build a labour management package that is powerful yet simple to use for smaller subscription-based clients.

“Innovative products and business systems – including branding solutions, packaging design and creativity - allow us to stay ahead of our competition and provide more growth opportunities.” – Vanessa Garrard, Director.

E3 Style’s journey began early in 2006 when its founders set out to provide consumers with access to more affordable technology gadgets. Their business model was an Australian-owned company that sourced from Chinese factories and provided an aggressive price for domestic retailers. Director Vanessa Garrard said E3 Style gives retailers a complete product development solution that is faster, more efficient and more cost effective than what retailers could do themselves or what local or overseas competitors offer. E3 Style, based in Chermside, specialises in high quality, mass-demand consumer electronics products, being first to market with new hdmi and usb technologies. Vanessa said the business is the largest home brand product supplier in Australia and the largest youth electronics supplier here and in New Zealand. With 16 staff, E3 Style has developed 300 products and has supply contracts with all major retailers.

“Our company is driven by innovation and a desire to constantly better what we do, improving both products and operations.” - Josef Zehnder, Director.

Zehnder Gluten Free, a processor of gluten free baked foods based at Maleny, eliminated some processing steps and developed new techniques in its bread production. The family owned business led by Swiss-born Josef Zehnder plans to supplement its existing range by releasing more than 60 new gluten free products. Josef said that coeliacs - people with gluten intolerance - are willing to try new products and 80 to 90 per cent are usually converted to Zehnder’s superior products. The business plans to have a continuous release of a new product every four weeks. Zehnder Gluten Free, which is opening a factory in Switzerland in 2011 to supply European markets, is applying new European baking technology in its processing. This rapid cooling baking process will deliver products with less weight loss and longer shelf life, at reduced energy cost with a shortening of the baking time by five to 20 per cent.

“The inspiration for my Save Our Sea Turtles initiative is a belief that as we take from the sea we need to give back.” – Kristina Georges, Managing Director.

In 2005 fishmonger Kristina Georges established Samies Girl Seafoods, buying a business formerly owned by her family that had gone into receivership. Kristina’s passion in turning the business around was reflected by public goodwill and the recovery of this Brisbane supplier of fresh and frozen seafood. In 2009 Samies Girl Seafoods won the environment award at the Queensland Seafood Awards for its ‘Save Our Sea Turtles’ program. Kristina, whose business employs 11 full-time equivalent staff, is a strong advocate of sustainability in the seafood industry. Samies Girl promotes the protection and tagging of Moreton Bay turtles by raising funds from selling environmental cooler bags. The Save Our Sea Turtles initiative has been introduced into 667 Queensland Primary Schools with an education kit and Kristina’s book “Angels Do Swim.” Samies Girl proudly promotes the fish names program by selling fish labelled with name and origin so that customers can see the business sources non-endangered seafood.

“Because we care about the environment, our business operates in as green a manner as we can.” – Lachlan Laing, Director.

Sustainable Man Director Lachlan Laing said his business practices what it preaches in buying green. The Morningside-based provider of solar power products, rainwater tanks and energy efficient pool pumps almost always pays extra for greener products and services such as green electricity and recycled paper for its own operations. Sustainable Man has grown from a home-based sole trader to a business with 13 staff. Lachlan said the business has been passionate about operating with a social conscience from day one and this is reflected in the suppliers it chooses and the example it sets. He said the business owners care about the planet, each other and the community and question daily decisions to ensure they are acting with integrity in areas such as use of alternative energy sources. Sustainable Man has supported local schools and the community by providing 1000 seedlings to green local areas.

“We are passionate about fulfilling our core purpose to change the way vegetation is managed in Australia, forever.” – Nick Bloor, CEO.

In 1987, Nick Bloor founded a one-man weed controlling business. After 24 years, Technigro has grown into a leading urban vegetation management service specialising in natural areas, parks and gardens, road networks and sports turf. Based in Burleigh Heads, the multi-million dollar company provides consulting and contracting services to government and commercial customers between Northern NSW and the Sunshine Coast. Technigro’s in-house research and development facility develops innovations to improve sustainable vegetation management in Australia and find safer, cost-effective and environmental solutions for the industry. Technigro is committed to using its expertise and resources to support the Friends of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens (FGCBG) in its activities to enhance the Rosser Park gardens. It is currently formalising a partnership with the FGCBG through which Technigro will assist in community workshops and seminars and provide resources and equipment during community planting days.

“Our mobile phone app will allow us to communicate with coeliacs about the availability of our products irrespective of where they travel in the world.” - Josef Zehnder, Director.

The website of Sunshine Coast-based Zehnder Gluten Free carries testimonials from coeliacs praising the soft, airy texture of its potato bread and other products. Zehnder is taking its communications further on products for coeliac sufferers by developing a smart phone app that will allow multiple suppliers to advertise their gluten free food. Zehnder is a leading producer of a range of gluten free foods – gluten is found in grains such as wheat, oats, barley, rye and spelt. Director Josef Zehnder said the app will be a daily resource for coeliacs about the food they have to consume. The software is planned for release in 2011. The business, in conjunction with Mission Australia, also has designed a training course for jobseekers in specific packaging machinery and processing skills. Josef said the training will not only benefit Zehnder’s business but can be used in a wide area of packaging where flow wrap machines are operated.