NORTEC BUSINESS CONNECT
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  • EVENTS
    • Facebook and Instagram for Business Bootcamp
    • Creating visual content
    • How to create moving images
    • Needing a website? Lets start with a landing page
    • ATO Starting a Small Business
    • Branding Do's and Don'ts
    • Adwords and Analytics for Dummies
    • Create a years BLOG post topics in 20 minutes
    • The Magic of Email marketing with Mailchimp
    • Photography for Online stores and Catalogues
    • Build a better business
    • ATO - for the Sole trader and Partnerships
    • Top tips for smart phone Flatlay photography
    • Being business savvy on Social Media
    • How to craft a unique selling proposition (USP)
    • Creative content writing for Small Business
    • Everything you need to know about E-Commerce
    • ATO - Do you want to employ staff?
    • Workshop expressions of Interest
  • Business Talk
  • List and sell your creation online with ETSY

Business Talk

NSW Government - Bushfire Survey

4/12/2020

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Key messages
  • The NSW Government would like to hear about your experience as a business owner affected by the 2019–20 bushfires via a brief survey.
  • The aim of the survey is to understand how businesses impacted by the 2019–20 bushfires are recovering, what support they are accessing and where additional assistance is needed.
  • The results will help identify future responses for supporting businesses during a disaster and we value your feedback as a business owner in a bushfire-affected area.
  • The survey will take approximately 6 minutes to complete. To complete the survey, please click on the link below:
  • NSW Business Survey for Bushfire Impacted Areas  (Click HERE for the Survey)
  • To view the range of assistance currently available to bushfire-affected businesses, please visit the Service NSW bushfire support hub at: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/business-support-bushfire-impacted-communities.
  • You can also call 13 77 88 to speak to a Service NSW Business Concierge or visit https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/concierge to register for a call back at a time that suits you.
 
The survey will be distributed to the 50 bushfire-impacted local government areas in NSW. The survey will be open until 24 December 2020.
 
The feedback from the business community will be extremely valuable in helping us identify future responses for supporting businesses during a disaster. Insights and data resulting from the survey will be distributed to councils in early 2021.
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Learn about Business Connect with Gary

3/12/2020

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We have made it easy for you to learn all about the Business Connect Program.    If you are interested and wish to register, you can choose from the following:
  • Complete the enquiry form below and we will give you a call to help you register
  • OR Call us on 0490 297 703
  • OR register yourself by downloading the instructions (Bottom of page) & follow this LINK.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
how_to_register_with_business_connect.pdf
File Size: 817 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

BusinessConnect (nsw.gov.au)
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Meet Business advisor Tony Reardon

5/11/2020

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Tony is one of our Business Connect Advisors.   We are lucky to have Tony & his experience on our team.
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Book Tony HERE
 Tony has extensive experience working in brand, PR, advertising and design agencies with small-to-medium businesses right through to multi-national brands. He has started or owned several of his own businesses and invested in others so he understands the issues and challenges that entrepreneurs face in the initial incubator phases and the first few years including finding investors.

Tony has the ability to identify the pain points for any new business and knows how to minimise them, ensuring that they stay in good health throughout the early start-up stages. Tony looks for opportunities and welcomes the chance to discuss ideas, look to the future and help to identify the challenges that might lay ahead.    In addition to his business experience, Tony holds a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Conflict Resolution), Diploma in Management (Media). ​  ​
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Business Advisor contractor opportunity

27/7/2020

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​An exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic and progressive organisation within a highly regarded State Government program.

Opportunity for service organisations or independent contractors to provide service on the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers incorporating Clarence Valley & Port Macquarie/ Hastings LGA's & areas in between, for a period up to 31/03/2021.
Ideally, interested parties will have existing business and professional contact networks within the target demographic and geographic areas that can be utilised to lift the profile of and drive demand for the program, and its advisory services.
A part of the NSW Government’s response to the current pandemic is a commitment to engage additional Business Connect Advisors to support SMEs through the challenges of COVID-19.

For more information, please download the attached PDF. 

Please submit all enquiries and applications to:
Gary Wheatstone
Program Coordinator
garyw@nortec.org.au

0408 631 801

covid-19_ba_contractor_pd_2_v5__003_.pdf
File Size: 5158 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Another successful small business Workshop

31/5/2019

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What a great turn out in Ballina.  We ran this ATO workshop to a group of 17 wonderful business owners who needed to get up to speed with the new regulations required by the Australian Taxation Office.   A great way to Network with like minded people wanting to improve their skills.   

Are you wanting to update your Social Media skills or learn how to imrove your website findability?  Keep an eye out for our workshops that we run across New England, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Clarence, Richmond, Ballina, Byron Shire and Tweed Heads regions as part of the NSW Government's Business Connect program.
WORKSHOP CALENDAR

How are the ​workshops run?

Each workshop will focus on its specified topic.

We keep these workshops small, so that you can have a more hands on experience with our industry professionals. 


Workshop details:
  • Price: $25.00 per workshop 
  • Duration: 2-3 + hours per session.
  • What you need to bring: We recommend bringing your laptop, Iphone or Ipad so you can work through the steps as we teach them, though a notepad and pen will suffice!

What happens after?
​
We don't just want to present to you, we want to TEACH YOU. Every attendee at the workshop receives a complementary one-on-one session in your own business by one of our specialised business advisors. Simply choose a time and day that suits you.
​
Our Workshops are part of the Business Connect program, and are subsidised by the by the NSW Department of Industry .   
WORKSHOP CALENDAR
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Meet Warren Hirst - Defined Health

15/4/2019

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How we assisted Defined Health with our Business Connect Program.

Warren has always had a passion for health and wellness. With over 15 years of experience, his involvement in the industry started in 2002 as a fitness trainer and hockey coach before transitioning to massage and acupuncture.

 
Having been in his industry for several years as both an employee and independent contractor Warren was eager to run his own business and in so doing increase his income.
Warren had completed preliminary work on planning but needed some help to pull it all together. He also wanted an objective viewpoint.
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 Awesome Business Connect Advisor Gary Wheatstone, was able to step through the Start-up Health check diagnostic tool with Warren. This process helped Warren to complete a start-up budget and hone his service model.
Gary worked through his business plan, focusing on cash flow forecasts, break-even analysis, budget setting and market place positioning, specifically Unique Service Offering.
Warren spent considerable time researching different options for locations and inspecting numerous commercial premises over many months before settling on his "ideal" location in the main retail precinct with plentiful passing trade.
He opened the doors recently and already has numerous bookings as well as bringing many of his previous clients to the new practice.  You can contact Warren for further information HERE.
​If you wish to connect with Gary Wheatstone for Small Business Advisory, (Initial 4 hours FREE) please book below.

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Meet Tony Brindley

15/4/2019

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Mid North Coast
Business Connect Business Advisor
TONY BRINDLEY

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Financial Administration
Certified Practising Accountant


SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
Financial & Insurances Services
Wholesale Trade


BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Brindleys Nurseries (1982-2000)
Tony is a qualified accountant who has worked at the Australian Tax Office as a GST and New Business Advisor. He has been helping small businesses and has extensive experience with businesses specialising in: horticulture, creative publishing, retailing, and e-commerce over many years.
lEARN MORE......
Tony knows the highs and lows of running a small business as well as the impact it can have on family members. He is keen to help you pull everything together and work out effective ways of organising and running your business. This includes help with: start-ups and business plans, cash flows, budgeting, costings, business exit plans, e-commerce, multi channel selling, inventory management, impacts of margins and discounts, bookkeeping and accounting.

In addition to his small business experience, Tony holds a Bachelor of Financial Administration and is a Certified Practising Accountant.
​​
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$100,000 in grants up for grabs!

15/4/2019

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Small businesses and start-ups who are trying to get their business off the ground have a chance to bring their ideas to life with St.George Kick Start which gives away $100,000 in grants to help turn sparks into flames.
​

Applications are now open and can be submitted in any of the two categories: new business ideas and new ideas for existing businesses. The winner of each category will take away grants of $40,000 each, and the runner up of each category another $10,000 each.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ?
Small businesses and start-ups who are trying to get their business off the ground have a chance to bring their ideas to life with St.George Kick Start which gives away $100,000 in grants to help turn sparks into flames.
Applications are now open and can be submitted in any of the two categories: new business ideas and new ideas for existing businesses. The winner of each category will take away grants of $40,000 each, and the runner up of each category another $10,000 each.
Cathy Yuncken, General Manager of Business Banking for St.George Banking Group, said the program to date has helped over 34 businesses and start-ups turn their ideas into reality.
“Over the past five years, Kick Start has given away over $525,000. Our diverse winners spanned from industries and different stages in their business lifecycle,” Ms Yuncken said.
Applications close 21 April, with 12 finalists to be selected to battle it out for a share of $100,000 on 24 May 24 at TEDxSydney.

“What’s particularly unique about our program is the top 12 finalists will have the opportunity to be to deliver their wining elevator pitches at TEDxSydney in front of four judges and a live audience,” Ms Yuncken said. “This provides a worthy platform for budding entrepreneurs to hone in on their pitching skills and put their most innovative and creative ideas forward in a collaborative environment.”
Pitches will be judged by a panel of both St.George business managers and external industry experts.
Judges will consider and give preference to businesses that can demonstrate a strong business purpose, embrace creativity and one that can drive a positive impact in their local market.
To enter, applicants can apply online at www.stgeorge.com.au/kickstart.
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This information has been brought to you by 'Inside Small Business' 8th April 2019
more information
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Big Congratulations TripaSista!

14/3/2019

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TripaSista - A Business Connect Client

​Meet Susan & Kim.

These lovely ladies are the founders of TripaSista.  They have extensively travelled over the past 30 years & felt that there was a need in the travel industry to cater for women travellers.  (photo by the Daily Examiner)

Their slogan is 'A world of travel for Women by Women'.


They had the idea but needed help to get them kick started.   The hardest part for them is to know where to get the help.  Susan & Kim reached out to NORTEC Business Connect & with the help our our Business Advisor Felisimina Jom, she guided through the early stages of their business & continues to support them.
Susan & Kim have also attended quite a few of our small business workshops to ensure they kept their skills up to date.

Here is their story that was recently published in
'The Daily Examiner'
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The TripaSista Office... Susan Ferguson & Kim Burgess
Their Business Connect advisor Felisimina Jom provided a background in digital assistance and consultancy and could provide TripaSista with valuable feedback about their website’s functionality. Felisimina also provided TripaSista support in applying to a StartUp program in Coffs Harbour.  TripaSista was successful in their application and is now on the 12 week course. TripaSista will resume work with Business Connect after the course.
"Our most valuable aspect of the program has been the digital experience of the Business Advisor Felisimina Jom and the straight-talk feedback she has given us about their website and  the core aspect of our business."  We have also attended this Felisimina's workshop for Online Shopping and found it to contain valuable information."
Book a business advisor
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Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business.
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A success story rising out of the Lismore floods.

8/2/2019

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LaVida Bar & Restaurant - A Business Connect Client

Karen and Kevin from LaVida Bar & Restaurant were referred to Gary Wheatstone from The Department of Industry Business Connect program by Lismore Council. They had been unsuccessful with their application for a Flood Recovery Grant. Additionally, they had suffered a significant downturn in trade owing to six weeks of roadworks impacting customer’s ability to park close by and gain easy access to their establishment. They were working through staffing issues and a new project to launch a live music venue .
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Greg Lyon & the Hop Operation on Opening night at LaVida Bar & Restaruant
Gary Wheatstone, NORTEC Business Connect advisor, firstly addressed profitability by looking at detailed costings of COGS, wastage, kitchen efficiencies and expenses culminating in price reviews for the menu.    Staff training was also discussed with delegation of responsibilities, training schedule and Code of Conduct.   The Music Venue was opened 1st June to a packed house with great feedback and revues from patrons.    An Operations Manual and continuing improvements to online presence is still in progress.

A new LaVida website has been built with the ability to book specific tables in the venue. Improvements continue to be made.
"Hi Gary, thanks for your support over the past 6 months. It’s been insightful, to say the least.  We have benefitted from your knowledge and support and will put everything you have taught us into practice as we move forward.  Thanks also for supporting us with the first Cellar Session. Hope to see you again! Karen & Kevin - Owners LaVida Bar & Restaurant Lismore.   https://www.lavidalismore.com.au/"
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Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business.​
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    Small Business Solutions Team

    We are committed to nurturing and assisting the small business community – we recognise that small business is the backbone of our economy on the North Coast of NSW.

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© 2017 NORTEC Small Business Solutions
  • HOME
  • Business Connect
  • Book Your Advisor
  • EVENTS
    • Facebook and Instagram for Business Bootcamp
    • Creating visual content
    • How to create moving images
    • Needing a website? Lets start with a landing page
    • ATO Starting a Small Business
    • Branding Do's and Don'ts
    • Adwords and Analytics for Dummies
    • Create a years BLOG post topics in 20 minutes
    • The Magic of Email marketing with Mailchimp
    • Photography for Online stores and Catalogues
    • Build a better business
    • ATO - for the Sole trader and Partnerships
    • Top tips for smart phone Flatlay photography
    • Being business savvy on Social Media
    • How to craft a unique selling proposition (USP)
    • Creative content writing for Small Business
    • Everything you need to know about E-Commerce
    • ATO - Do you want to employ staff?
    • Workshop expressions of Interest
  • Business Talk
  • List and sell your creation online with ETSY