Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advise to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.
NORTEC is proud to be a provider to the Business Connect program. We provide confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium businesses across the 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.
We are really pleased to introduce our Business Connect Team.
NORTEC is proud to be a provider to the Business Connect program. We provide confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium businesses across the 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.
We are really pleased to introduce our Business Connect Team.
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Gary Wheatstone - Business Connect Co-Ordinator & Advisor
Servicing: Team Co-Ordinator as well as servicing Lismore & Alstonville Gary Wheatstone is a Business Advisor and Program Coordinator. He has been involved with large corporate organisations, smaller family run operations and has been a small business owner. Beginning his career in Sydney, Gary worked in retail, payroll and manufacturing covering industries including marine, construction, architectural design and electrical.
Moving to the north coast of NSW and purchasing an existing business was a steep learning curve. Financing, procurement, customer service excellence, marketing, managing cashflow, staffing and all the other hats that a small business owner wears in a day became necessary skills. Gary is passionate about small business in regional areas. He has 23 plus years of experience as a small business owner in both retail and wholesale in a country town. He understands what a business owner has to deal with day to day. Gary has a Diploma of Management, Bachelor of Social Science and Cert IV Training and Assessment. To book Gary as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Derek Tink- Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: New England including Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Guyra, Inverell, Gwydir, Tamworth, Armidale & Narrabri Derek Tink is a Business Advisor with a focus on regional development. He has experience across a range of industries, spanning agribusiness, tourism, retail and health.
Derek has delivered specialist advice within the region including business development, marketing, digital strategy and organisational management. A passionate ‘regional local’ who is committed to supporting regional and rural business opportunities. Derek is involved with community groups and charity activities across the region. In addition to his small business experience, Derek holds a Bachelor of Business & Master of Commerce. To book Derek as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Clive Venning - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Byron Bay, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah & Ocean Shores Clive has over 25 years experience with running his own two small businesses, which were built by him from the ground up and continue to operate today. The first company, deals with digital printing and direct marketing including online applications in the form of CRM’s, and the second company is an online international telegram business.
Clive previously worked for Australia Post, starting out as a Postie, whilst completing his Diploma in Transport and Administration. He later became the NATIONAL SALES & PRODUCT MANAGER – Electronic Sales, meeting with utility companies and local council to facilitate Australia Post Electronic Data Interface (EDI) system. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and never give up ! in either your personal or business life. To find out more about Clive click HERE To book Clive as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Tony Brindley - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen to Kempsey, Port Macquarie - Hastings 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.
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. To book Tony as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Kathie Heyman - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Ballina, Byron Bay and Richmond Valley Kathie is a trusted go-to resource with over 25 years of practical hands-on small business experience. She provides advice to small businesses and not-for-profits across a range of industries utilising her unique mix of experience in strategy, planning, leadership, human resources, financials and budgeting, systems and processes, marketing and social media, online course creation and membership organisations.
She is passionate about helping people to understand the big questions of why they are in business, what their business does, who they serve and how to develop a workable plan that will lead and guide them so they can make the right decisions for years to come. Kathie has lived experience working in and for business communities that have been affected by natural disasters (drought and flood). She is a volunteer mentor with Inspiring Rare Bird’s First Nations Business Growth Accelerator Program. As a lifelong learner, Kathie has a Master of Business Administration, and an Advanced Diploma in Business Management is an accredited Mental Health First Aider, completed training to teach Yoga and completed courses specialising in Online Course Creation and Facebook Marketing. To book Kathie as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Deborah Archbold - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Moree Plains, Narrabri Deb Archbold is the Managing Director of Deborah Wilson Consulting Services, a research and consulting business she established in 1982. Deb works in diverse fields including major supply chain engagement and supplier capability building in the mining, oil and gas and major projects sector, economic development strategies for cities and regions, and in-depth and technical research projects covering manufacturing, resources, food and agribusiness, fisheries, rail and professional services. She also undertakes community and stakeholder research. Deb works with local suppliers to help them build their capabilities to target work with larger supply chains and major projects. This covers capability statements and being visible to buyers, effective tendering, successful supply chain engagement and contract management. Deb is a Certified Management Consultant, a Qualified Professional Researcher and is also a Director of Indigenous Supply Chain Connections which connects Indigenous businesses into major supply chains.
To book Deb as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Katja Henaway - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Moree Plains, Narrabri Kat has gained significant experience working in multinational organisations in Sydney, London and Edinburgh over the past 20 years.
She has worked in administration, program and project management for some of the world’s largest private sector companies including Vodafone Hutchison Australia, Arthur Andersons, ABN Amro, Société Générale, Ernst & Young and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. In the public sector, Kat has worked for City of Sydney, UNSW, UTS, The City of Edinburgh Council and the UK Pensions Regulator. Her areas of business expertise include Access to Finance and Grants, Business Planning, Competition, Commercialisation and Innovation, Insurance, Legal/leases/disputes, Market Research, Marketing, Social media, Start-up, Strategic planning and Succession planning. Kat is a descendant of the Meriam and Mua Peoples of the Torres Strait Islands and has German and Scottish heritage. To book Kat as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Martinus Wagner - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Walcha Martinus brings with him 28 Years’ of experience in Business Leadership roles and Entrepreneurship, motivating and sparking growth through a creative entrepreneurial emotionally intelligent problem solving approach, capitalizing on strengths and opportunities, identifying and correcting weaknesses and threats, managing the formulation of innovative competitive strategies to deliberately initiate, drive and stimulate sustainable growth in revenue and net profit through operational efficiencies and building extraordinary sales teams capable of achieving substantial financial results. Some of his key achievements include - founded and grown TWC Australia successfully over the last 15 years and founded and grown Onabos Commercial property company successfully over the last 20 years.
To book Martinus (Tinus) as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Christina Giorgio - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed Heads Christina Giorgio has a bachelor of arts majoring in screen and theatre with her honours in media and communications. She has a Certificate IV in Business providing strategic and holistic business coaching and strategy. She holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and regularly runs workshops, immersions and retreats in creative small business. Her approach is focused on long term integrated business solutions for long term sustainability. Her coaching is oriented around creating thriving and healthy businesses and owners!
Christina is the director of Creative Consultancies, a consultancy business specialising in creative industries’ and ethical small business professional and business development and creative and digital presence. To find out more about Christina Click HERE To book Christina as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
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Jennifer Lloyd - Business Connect Advisor
Servicing: Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey Jen has over 20 years travel and tourism experience across multiple facets of the industry including retail, corporate, wholesale, cruise, specialist groups and tourism board. She has operated a travel company for the past 10 years with a strong understanding of start-up procedures, developing business operation and marketing plans, utilising software and applications that can aid businesses in building their brand and awareness. She has a passion for incorporating exceptional customer service alongside strong employee engagement which ultimately helps a business to deliver incredible customer experience.
Jen is a motivating and empathetic advisor committed to helping businesses in the travel, tourism, events, arts and creative industries to thrive and succeed. She is currently studying her Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management alongside balancing her business and advising roles with being a mother to her five young children. She understands the challenges associated with running a business whilst also being a parent. To book Jennifer as your Business Advisor, Click HERE |
Tony Brindley accepting his Business award 2020 Conference with Kylie Bryden-Smith
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Gary accepting his Business award 2019 Conference with Kylie Bryden-Smith
Tony Brindley presenting - 6 degrees workshop. Coffs Harbour Oct 2019
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Derek & Gary at the Tamworth Community Drought Event March 2020
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Training Sydney 2019 Tony B, Tony R, Gary, Michelle, Clive & Derek
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Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.
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