VIC - Telstra Australian Business Awards

‘By offering proactive and realistic advice, Beaspoke Safety aims to empower our clients with the knowledge and confidence to minimise risks and take control of their safety.’ Bea Tomlin, Director

The vast array of trades and services utilised in the Australian major events industry prompted Bea Tomlin to form a consultancy to provide tailored workplace health and safety solutions. Bea says there is no specific legislative framework governing the major events industry specifically. Rather, a mishmash of acts, regulations, codes of practice and standards governing the various trades and services. Beaspoke Safety was formed in 2008 to help event professionals progress through this minefield to ensure safeguards against sickness, injury, higher insurance premiums and legal proceedings. The company supports clients through all stages of an event giving them the confidence to take control of their own safety. To empower the industry, the company has introduced a regular safety eNewsletter, Twitter and Facebook safety updates. They also conduct free industry information sessions. Contracts secured include the Queen’s official state visit to Victoria and the Oprah Winfrey Australian experience.

‘I really appreciate that the country’s two retail giants have given Australian made men’s grooming products like mine, competing against major international brands, a fighting chance.’ Peter Maloney, Director

While holidaying in London and New York, Peter Maloney noticed men’s grooming products were a real focus on billboards and in the advertising mix generally. He could see the potential for a range of Australian made products targeted towards blokes that could get the job done without any fuss. Within three years of operation, Beauty Mate Men’s Grooming Products had become profitable with selected goods stocked in 781 Coles, and is now stocked in 600 Woolworths supermarkets across Australia. Peter says using humour and everyday Aussie language in branding and advertising, has helped men feel comfortable in purchasing and using his products, which include moisturiser, face wash, shaving gel and hair styling products. Peter says extensive networking has helped spur new business opportunities and increase his knowledge of the grooming industry, from packaging and ingredients to sales and marketing. Future plans include getting his products stocked in all major grocery retailers and pharmacies and pursuing export opportunities.

‘Our software delivers a solution that is focused on measuring tangible business improvements such as reduced staff turnover, increased morale and improved customer service.’ Tony Delaney, Chief Executive Officer

A passion to improve business performance by promoting positive staff behaviour and a belief that employees are being underutilised, led Tony Delaney to launch Brownie Points. Using cloud-based technology, the software allows employers to measure behaviour against key performance indicators and award staff points redeemable against an on-line catalogue of products, services or experiences. Rewards are designed to suit all budgets and can range from a Gold Class Cinema ticket to an exotic holiday. The software is easy to install and can be used by any organisation, regardless of size or budget. Before its release, the company thoroughly studied the Australian and international business markets. They also met with a large number of business-owners to discuss employee motivation, staff retention and performance monitoring. Tony says the software is growing in popularity with clients such as the YMCA implementing the solution, with the possibility of a rollout across Victoria.

‘KeepCup has revolutionised the way consumers drink their takeaway coffee while having a huge environmental impact through reducing landfill across the world.’ Abigail Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer

Working behind a coffee machine in their café, Abigail Forsyth and her brother, Jamie Forsyth became concerned about the number of disposable cups they were serving and the landfill implications. Research revealed 500 billion disposable cups are manufactured each year throughout the globe. After 18 months of design and tooling, they came up with KeepCup - the world’s first barista standard reusable cup. The product comes in four sizes, a kaleidoscope of colours, are lightweight and splashproof. In the three years the business has sold more than 1.5 million KeepCups and now exports to 32 countries. Such is success of the product, the Forsyths sold their café in 2010 and established an office in Fitzroy to focus solely on KeepCup and have additional offices in the US and the UK. Popular with the world’s best roasters and coffee makers, KeepCup is sponsoring the 2012 World Barista Championships in Vienna.

‘Each of our brands offer historically accurate, entertaining ghost and history tours raising public awareness of heritage sites and surrounds.’ Jacqueline Travaglia, Director

Struggling to find fulfilment as a product innovation manager, Jacqueline Travaglia was seeking a new challenge in which she could grow and evolve. She decided to turn her hobby and passion of organising historical and haunted group outings into a full-time business. Lantern Ghost Tours was launched in Melbourne in 2010 and now conducts tours all over the world. In addition to creating a successful business, there have also been positive spin-offs including increased awareness of historically significant buildings and new revenue streams for their preservation. Lantern Ghost Tours has evolved into a franchise model with several brands, each with their own identity and website. Jacqueline says the company’s appeal is that it makes history fun by uncovering quirky and engaging historical facts. One of the initial barriers the company had to overcome was threats from competition. This was achieved through establishing networks with competitors, cross promoting tours and running tours together.

‘The Pets Hotel team strives to continually improve our goal is to set a standard of excellence in the pet care industry that becomes a model for other pet care facilities to follow.’ Yvonne Hill, Managing Director

Having worked in the pet industry for 18 years, Yvonne Hill witnessed pet accommodation becoming more difficult to access. Developers had been buying up land previously occupied by kennels. Yvonne recognised people still wanted to own pets in the city but also wanted to go on holidays. She launched The Pets Hotel in 2010. Based in Port Melbourne, it is a purpose-built indoor facility providing cats and dogs a five-star boarding experience. It also features year-round climate control and webcams to let owners view their pets on smartphones or computers in real-time anywhere in the world. Yvonne says the hotel also helps re-home rescued pets. She says selling her concept to the bank, local government authorities and the community presented a number of barriers. Due to difficulties leasing premises, they had to purchase land and construct their own facility and, initially, their building permit was challenged by neighbours.

‘Everything we do epitomises innovation and practicality. We want to make the lives of parents that little bit easier - in a fun, functional and stylish way.’ Dannielle Michaels, Director

After having children, friends Dannielle Michaels and Monique Filer wanted to create a business utilising their creative and commercial skills, while balancing young families. b.box for kids can trace its origins to a flight with a newborn and the struggle of changing a nappy in an airline cubicle. From this experience, b.box was born. The duo then created the essential baby box – the only plastic nappy wallet, with a built-in wipes box. More product lines followed including the essential travel bib, essential nappy caddy and the essential baby bottle. Their products are sold in 500 stores nationally and in over 25 countries around the world. Since its inception in 2007, the company has won a host of awards in Australia and the US, including the 2011 Creative Magazine’s Top Choice Award for best travel aid, the 2010 Australian Business Award for Best New Product and the 2010 AusMumpreneur Award for Product Innovation.

‘I started the business before green was the new black and I, along with all the emerging green technologies, saw a great need for the wider community to accept the environment as a legitimate new economy.’ Arron Wood, Director

Recognising the need for the wider community to understand and accept the environment as a legitimate new economy, Arron Wood sold his car to start his new ‘green’ business in 2003. Firestarter is an environmental business offering communication, management, education, promotion and major event organisation services to businesses, government and community groups. It has a strong emphasis on environmental community interest projects. Further, Firestarter designed and runs the highly awarded Kids Teaching Kids Program. A school-based learning model that inspires young people to learn and care for their environment. More than 50,000 children across Australia have now undertaken the program. Arron’s ‘green’ heritage can be traced back to 2001 when he won the Young Australian of the Year National Environment Award. For his work at Firestarter, Arron won the 2007 Melbourne Business Award for Contribution to the Environment and was selected to complete Al Gore's Climate Change Leadership Program.

‘When I started PlanCost, I decided we would stay small enough that the directors and senior staff would know their projects intimately.’ Stephen Grimes, Director

One weekend Stephen Grimes noticed he had missed most of his five year old son’s milestones due to long commutes and hours in the office. Yearning for more work-life balance, he decided to start his own consultancy. In 1999, armed with a new computer on a second-hand desk at his home in Wattle Glen, 35 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, PlanCost Australia was born. Today the quantity surveying firm specialises in providing cost planning services on projects to the construction industry. One of the challenges PlanCost has had to overcome is to be considered a serious contender in the industry despite not having a CBD address. Stephen says PlanCost’s structure and its boutique size have become positive points of difference. By maximising the benefits of the internet and mobile technology to stay in touch with clients, PlanCost has found clients are very supportive of the decentralised office model.

‘We enjoy the challenges and rewards of being in control of our own destiny, so building our own business in a rural area was ideal.’ Paul Harrison, Owner

Ever since he began building with his first Meccano set - which he still owns - engineer Paul Harrison has been passionate about designing, developing and making machines. With his wife Cristine Harrison, who also has an engineering background, Paul moved from Melbourne to Bright in north-east Victoria in 1995 to gain greater control over their lives. Snowy Creek Engineering then developed as a company over a number of years out of the house and workshop they hand-built. One of the company’s more successful ventures has been the design, development, manufacture and supply of equipment that produces felt cloth from raw fibres. More than 32 felting machines have been sold to customers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom who use the felt cloth in clothing, wearable art and wall hangings. Paul says that as a regionally based business internet services were a barrier but the advent of Telstra 3G technology has solved this issue.

‘We cater for a very special clientele, and take pet boarding to new levels.’ Vern Ryan, Owner

Vern Ryan started his boutique style cat and dog boarding business as he had grown weary of bad operators ripping off clients and providing sub-standard services. Vern Ryan’s Pet Resort, in Balliang, East Victoria, offers three levels of accommodation. Their most popular are the penthouse suites. These all feature the comforts pets are used to at home in addition to a full size bed, television, leather couches and their own playground attached. The resort began 15 years ago as basic boarding kennels but over time Vern noticed a shift in people’s attitudes towards their pets, considering them more as members of their family and to be treated as such. Vern decided to convert to a more boutique style boarding facility. The company’s reputation for quality has grown and they are now associated with 50 businesses throughout Melbourne including vets, pet stores, travel agents and other professionals.

‘Affirm's long-term vision is to become the preferred provider of eForms and document/contract assembly solutions to the top 500 Australian companies.’ Bryan Ericson, Chief Executive Officer

Recognising corporations had a responsibility to use more sustainable business practises, Richard Power, Affirm’s Chairman and founder, developed an internet-based solution to make the paperless office more realistic. Richard developed the proprietary development software, Revolve after previously owning a vendor finance business which generated high volumes of paper for new contracts. The process for new deals was manual and unsystematic. This solution created major efficiencies and transformed his business. Affirm Software’s solution replaces existing paper-based business processes with fully electronic, user friendly and cloud-based technology solution. It does not require any new hardware or software, making implementation easy, quick and low cost. After winning a contract to provide Revolve to AMP, more clients and partnerships followed including Brookfield Multiplex and the Australian Taxation Office. Affirm's long term vision is to become the preferred provider of eForms and document/contract assembly solutions to the top 500 Australian companies.

‘We were motivated to help Australian retailers compete in an increasingly competitive online climate by providing an affordable, world-class e-commerce business solution.’ Jason Wyatt, Managing Director

Recognising the bike industry was highly fragmented at the manufacturer, wholesaler and retail level, Jason Wyatt and Sam Salter moved to provide a consolidated experience for cyclists. Bike.Exchange.com.au was set up in 2007 to help Australians find, buy and sell all things bike-related. The site contains over 50,000 bike products, information about more than 200 bike holidays and events as well as bike videos, product reviews, advice, information and news. The site has reached one million visitors a month, markets to a database of 120,000 cyclists nationwide and hosts 400 plus independent bike websites. Jason says the development of a strong marketing plan, combined with its ability to constantly evolve with customer needs, has provided the business with a competitive point of difference. As a small business, Jason says one of the biggest lessons they have learned is the danger of over-reliance on any one individual and the importance of sharing knowledge and skills.

‘We wanted to give Australians another model for the delivery of hearing aids and hearing health outcomes that is efficient, accessible, and sustainable.’ Elaine Saunders, Managing Director

With hearing loss affecting almost 20 per cent of Australians and the high cost of remedial services, Dr Elaine Saunders and Professor Peter Blamey wanted to give consumers a better deal. In 2006, they formed Blamey & Saunders Hearing. They spent several years of unpaid work in developing their business model, intellectual property and products. Today, the company is a hearing aid developer, retailer and distributor, specialising in online delivery of self-fit hearing aids. The aids use an amplifier invented by Professor Blamey. For people preferring face-to-face consultations, they have an audiology and hearing aid clinic in East Melbourne. In recent times, the company’s revenue has quadrupled and in under a year staff numbers have grown from three to 15. In 2011, Dr Saunders was named Asia's Leading Woman in Healthcare and received the Pearcey Victorian ICT Entrepreneur Award. The same year Professor Blamey appeared on the ABC's The New Inventors with its hearing aids and IHearYou(TM) software.

‘Key Business Advisors links business to profit through customised sales training and ensuring their human resource systems are compliant with Fair Work obligations.’ Colin Wilson, Director

With 22 years of experience in the office technology industry, Colin Wilson was passionate about sales and had a reputation for new business development. Many times during his career, companies had asked for his advice to help grow their business through learning a solid sales process. He eventually succumb to demand and formed his own sales training business. Key Business Advisors helps small to medium businesses. It offers customised sales training programs in business to business, consumer, telesales, retail as well as coaching and mentoring. They also provide human resource systems to ensure businesses are compliant with Fair Work obligations. With 80 per cent of customers living in regional Australia, during the past four years, the company has grown from husband and wife to a team of 12. As well as their office in Essendon, they have opened a branch on the Gold Coast.

‘Our never ending quest for perfection has allowed us to enjoy our success, as well as our willingness to adapt our products and business practices to meet the needs of different markets around the world.’ Jason Tranter, Managing Director

After being involved in the specialised field of vibration analysis for 15 years, Jason Tranter knew the technology was powerful but was being misused. Vibration analysis is performed in all major industries around the world. It is used to determine if a machine, such as an electric motor or steam turbine, has developed a fault and may fail resulting in downtime, environmental harm and personal injury. Jason seized an opportunity to create engaging, interactive training products to help people become more educated in this field and formed Mobius Institute. Established in 1999, the Institute has licensed training centres in more than 50 countries, has trained in excess of 10,000 people and offers e-learning products. Jason says the company, based at Merricks North in regional Victoria, never stops developing new methods to improve training. Clients including NASA, BHP Billiton, Boeing, GE, Ford and the navies of Australia, the US, Britain, India and South Africa.

‘RIHAC provide a quality and value for money alternative to costly brand name inkjet printing cartridges that can be used by individuals, families, businesses, schools and community groups across Australia.’ Rebecca Cahir, Director

When her police officer husband was involved in a fatal shooting, Rebecca Cahir had to print an endless stream of documents, working through a mountain of printer cartridges. The experience cost a small fortune. Rebecca decided there had to be a cheaper option. After many trials and tribulations, she developed the InkLink - a simple device comprising a refillable ink reservoir which fed into specially developed cartridges. Through her company RIHAC, formed in 2005, the device is available for the majority of brand named inkjet printers. The company has grown through word-of-mouth and referrals. Its rapid sales have resulted in Rebecca moving from her home office to a Maidstone warehouse and operations in the United Kingdom. Through it all, Rebecca has learned the importance of intellectual property. After InkLink’s launch, there was a flood of copycats from Asia. She has worked hard to educate consumers about the quality differences.

‘I wasn't aware of any other companies that were providing the healthcare industry with services specifically focussed on commercialisation and had a genuine commercial approach or perspective.’ Andrew Carter, Managing Director

After working in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years, Andrew Carter identified a need for a consultancy that helped the health technology industry commercialise their products. While other consultancies were focussing on clinical trials, Commercial Eyes started out as a home-based business providing marketing assessment and business strategy advice. Today, the company provides a comprehensive range of services to pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies. These include intellectual property, market insight and assessments, regulatory affairs and pricing. Since its inception, the company has worked with more than 250 local and international companies assisting them to achieve the full potential of their products in Australia, NZ and throughout Asia. Andrew says one of the bigger challenges has been working with different cultures that have different expectations. Apart from its base in Abbottsford, the company has opened offices in Canberra and Sydney with a Singapore office being launched next year.

‘Our objective is to keep challenging the status quo and be recognised as a fair and transparent mortgage aggregator that helps brokers grow their business.’ Murray Lees, Director

Seeking a better and fairer mortgage broker support service, Glenn and Murray Lees decided to start their own. After working as brokers for a number of years, the brothers were weary of mortgage aggregators taking a large slice of their commissions and locking brokers into onerous agreements. Rather than lament the unfair practices of the existing aggregators, they decided to do something about it. Their goal was to build a service which as brokers they would be proud to be part of. Connective develops and provides IT systems, training and education programs, marketing, business and compliance support, to help mortgage brokers operate profitably. Independently owned, the company began with only two broker members in 2003 and now has 1,400 and offices in every capital city. Murray says the firm has continued to experience significant growth, even in spite of the Global Financial Crisis. The company has achieved consecutive BRW fast 100 listings from 2009 to 2011.

‘We identified a major gap in the market - a lack of personable, knowledgeable and engaging technology consultants – so we decided to create a company to fill this void.’ Cameron Brookes, Managing Director

While studying computer science at university, Cameron Brookes and Martin Cooperwaite started providing IT services to businesses for extra pocket money. Spurred on by their early success, they formed Kiandra IT in 1995. The company supports companies that do not have their own IT staff and consults to organisations that need specialist skills. Its core business is in IT infrastructure implementation and support and custom software development. They predominantly focus on the corporate, government and start-up market within the financial services and insurance, professional services, health and building/construction sectors. Cameron says attracting talent and retaining good people is not just an issue for Kiandra but a challenge right across the IT industry. The company has implemented robust induction processes and spend time preparing their staff to embrace new ideas and personalities. In fact, it has been recognised as a top employer in BRW’s Annual Best Places to Work list.

‘MessageMedia is not a conventional company with a lot of rules and a strict hierarchy - our work environment encourages innovation, passion and out-performance.’ Grant Rule, CEO

Witnessing the emergence of SMS text messaging as a powerful communication tool between consumers, CEO Grant Rule and his co-founders Justin Lau and Regina Hill had a vision about how the technology could be harnessed by businesses. He believed it could be a tremendous tool for businesses to reach their workforce and customers. Twelve years later, MessageMedia has developed a range of SMS services to meet the diverse needs of its client base, which now numbers more than 10,000, with 17 million messages being sent every month. Their two-way desktop solution allows users to send and receive SMS messages directly from their computer. Grant says the company values innovation, honesty and team spirit. Clients include Children’s Hospital Westmead and Austin Hospital who use the service to remind patients of admissions, as well as rural fire brigades to warn volunteers of bushfires. Apart from their Melbourne site, they have also opened offices in London and San Francisco.

‘Odecee success is and will always be derived from our people and the values it lives by, not led by processes or technology.’ Michael Bodle, Head of Operations

Odecee’s journey began when three technology entrepreneurs decided Australian businesses needed a different type of software engineering company - one that focused on delivering high-performing systems. In 2007, Michael Bodle, Oscar Huseyin and Con Mouzouris launched the company. It specialises in application performance design and engineering, environment management and mobilising applications rapidly and securely. Its main focus is delivering levels of scalability, reliability and innovation that exceed clients’ expectations. Company milestones include signing master services agreements with two of Australia’s top tier banks, winning the BRW Fast Starters award for the past two years and being named in the Deloitte technology top 50. Due to its rapid expansion, Michael says one of the bigger challenges for the company was allocating time for strategic planning. This was to ensure investment in infrastructure, internal operation roles and organisation design were aligned. Today, the company has offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Manila.

‘Our success is a result of providing clients with their own successes - a flawless signage rebrand or an effortless rollout.’ Alan Hadley, Director

After working in the signage industry for 12 years, colleagues Dan McHugh, Kris Vogt and Alan Hadley came up with an idea to better manage branded assets. They formed SignManager in 2000 and developed Signifi - a web-based management system. The system provides clients with an online register of their signs so they can track their assets and more effectively manage rebrands, rollouts and maintenance. The company utilises a nationwide network of approved contractors so it can ensure clients receive the best market value. Dan says there is no such thing as a universal signage solution, so the company customises its services and is highly flexible. Clients include Aldi, Virgin Australia and Carlton United Breweries. Their enhanced signage management system won the Australian Business Awards Innovation Category. SignManager has expanded operations to New Zealand and the United States. Future plans include opening offices in Asia and the United Kingdom.

‘Our never ending quest for perfection has allowed us to enjoy our success, as well as our willingness to adapt our products and business practices to meet the needs of different markets around the world.’ Jason Tranter, Managing Director

After being involved in the specialised field of vibration analysis for 15 years, Jason Tranter knew the technology was powerful but was being misused. Vibration analysis is performed in all major industries around the world. It is used to determine if a machine, such as an electric motor or steam turbine, has developed a fault and may fail resulting in downtime, environmental harm and personal injury. Jason seized an opportunity to create engaging, interactive training products to help people become more educated in this field and formed Mobius Institute. Established in 1999, the Institute has licensed training centres in more than 50 countries, has trained in excess of 10,000 people and offers e-learning products. Jason says the company, based at Merricks North in regional Victoria, never stops developing new methods to improve training. Clients including NASA, BHP Billiton, Boeing, GE, Ford and the navies of Australia, the US, Britain, India and South Africa.

‘We enjoy the challenges and rewards of being in control of our own destiny, so building our own business in a rural area was ideal.’ Paul Harrison, Owner

Ever since he began building with his first Meccano set - which he still owns - engineer Paul Harrison has been passionate about designing, developing and making machines. With his wife Cristine Harrison, who also has an engineering background, Paul moved from Melbourne to Bright in north-east Victoria in 1995 to gain greater control over their lives. Snowy Creek Engineering then developed as a company over a number of years out of the house and workshop they hand-built. One of the company’s more successful ventures has been the design, development, manufacture and supply of equipment that produces felt cloth from raw fibres. More than 32 felting machines have been sold to customers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom who use the felt cloth in clothing, wearable art and wall hangings. Paul says that as a regionally based business internet services were a barrier but the advent of Telstra 3G technology has solved this issue.

‘We cater for a very special clientele, and take pet boarding to new levels.’ Vern Ryan, Owner

Vern Ryan started his boutique style cat and dog boarding business as he had grown weary of bad operators ripping off clients and providing sub-standard services. Vern Ryan’s Pet Resort, in Balliang, East Victoria, offers three levels of accommodation. Their most popular are the penthouse suites. These all feature the comforts pets are used to at home in addition to a full size bed, television, leather couches and their own playground attached. The resort began 15 years ago as basic boarding kennels but over time Vern noticed a shift in people’s attitudes towards their pets, considering them more as members of their family and to be treated as such. Vern decided to convert to a more boutique style boarding facility. The company’s reputation for quality has grown and they are now associated with 50 businesses throughout Melbourne including vets, pet stores, travel agents and other professionals.