True Business Stories

David started his schooling learning about metal working and this led to a career in steel manufacturing, selling and importing. He now heads the Australian Steel Association and also the Advanced fibre Cluster working to improve the opportunities for members and to grow their businesses,   

Aaron has taken his love of golf through playing professionally, running a golf course to now operating his own golfing coaching and analysis business.

https://www.geelonggolfstudio.com.au/coaching

A different business story.

Shaun has had an interesting life journey from South Africa to Queensland and now Geelong. He has a passion for looking after and providing the water we need for our daily lives in an increasingly tough environment. A great conversation.

James is a serial entrepreneur and he discusses his journey from political lobbyist to running and developing businesses from scratch. He has learnt a lot along the way and this frank and open chat shows you how he continues to learn and grow.

Claire loves risk and has spent most of her career helping businesses identify risk and how to use that risk analysis to make better business decisions.

Robert Bruce has had an international career in building and creating better businesses and improving processes through the LEAN way.

A great story about how the right advice and skills can create better businesses. 

Amanda wanted to be a journalist and then ended up working in the fabric and rag trade. A chat with her brother in law led to the establishment of her business selling cut flowers Smellies https://smellies.com.au/ - 30 years ago and still trading strongly.

A group met to chat about the recent global issues especially the Trump tariffs. What should we do and what might change in Australia.

Harvey has had a long career as a CEO across a wide range of company's. One of his earliest roles was with Jarvis Walker - the well known and loved fishing gear company.   

His journey as a CEO has now led to him being a coach with https://www.vistage.com.au/ an organisation that runs peer advisory groups to help CEO's grow and learn.

Tony had a great career spanning 19 years in education at Christian College in Geelong. Deciding he needed a change, a chat and a phone call led to a job offer and now he is CEO at Scaada  https://scaada.com.au/ 

Tony loves his change as the company has the same values and ethics he follows in his life. A great story.

Sarah and Cass love design and making a difference in the world.  A meeting at The Gordon TAFE while both were studying eventually led to them teaming up to create their business Storyfolk.

A business founded on great values and one that keeps winning awards. 

Craig started his career in banking and then moved into telecommunications. A change in the Telstra business model led Craig to start his own ICT company supporting medium to large businesses called Kenstra. 

Craig is also the Chair for the Committee for Wyndham supporting businesses across western Melbourne. 

Stretch Kontelj has had a fascinating career in law and business. Combined with a passion for community and politics. Stretch is now the Mayor of the City of Geelong. 

Lauren is the CEO of Pets Country Club a family business that has been operating in Lara, outside Geelong for over 30 years. Lauren has had a career in sporting events but has come back to run the family business. A great story.

Marie-Claire (MC to friends) had a passion and still does for acting. The Q Train evolved from a family plan to create a dining experience. The business has grown over the years to win awards for tourism and recently the Geelong Business Excellence Awards for Inclusivity and Accessibility.

Bill and Mark chat about all the people they have met and some of the key take outs that they have gleaned from some amazing people.

Donna started her career in fashion and worked for some major clothing companies and developed and sold her own label of kids clothes. Spotting a beautiful old warehouse Donna and her partner Beav decided to open a restaurant.  
They now have three - The Arborist, Meet me at Marys, Beav's Bar

Michelle had a long career working in audit, mergers with one of the 'big 4'. A desire for a change led to the purchase of some acres on The Bellarine and the development of a sustainable cooking and growing demonstration business.

Shannon has had plumbing in his blood from an early age, helping with the family business while at school. Now he and his brother run the Kennedys Group with over 100 employees. A great story about a respected family business and the strength from having a good succession plan.