At the heart of some of Australia’s biggest brands, lies a small business. How did these small companies create such big names? Here are their secrets to growing brand and sales, without expanding the business. We’ve all heard of the brands Capilano and Deals Direct. Although they are well-recognised brands, many people don’t realise that […]
At a time when the air travel industry is plagued by serious problems, including security issues and soaring fuel costs, Graham Turner is still at the top of his multi-billion dollar game. Turner’s success with Flight Centre has something to do with staffing policies, caution with cash flow, innovative customer service, and everything to do with entrepreneurial vision. […]
A love of cars and a solution to suit Australia’s drought-stricken climate proved to be the perfect drivers for Stewart Nicholls and Jim Cornish to set up Ecowash, a mobile waterless car wash franchise. Starting in 2004, it took Jim Cornish and Stewart Nicholls just two years to go national with Ecowash. Not long after, recognising potential […]
Geoff Golovsky knew there was more to veterinary business than healing wounded and sick animals, so he opened VetHQ; a dog day care centre to stimulate bored canines. Now the only problem is finding room for all those tail paintings. “I’d be a rich man if I had a dollar for every time someone said ‘you’re a vet? […]
Shane Yeend’s idea of a fun game is creating and building a new enterprise. The sort that is worth millions on a poor day, and millions more on a typical day. Enter Imagination Entertainment. If you play board games, watch TV or play games on your mobile phone or PC, chances are you’ve come across […]
What started as a little side business between friends, Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton, has turned into one of Australia’s favourite fashion stories—sass & bide. When Sarah-Jane Clarke (nicknamed sass) and Heidi Middleton (nicknamed bide) became lifelong friends, the duo could hardly imagine that friendship was going produce one of Australia’s iconic fashion labels—sass & bide. Clarke […]
With receivership and equine influenza marring its past, Magic Millions has had a fair bit to overcome to be a global juggernaut. The Magic Millions thoroughbred auction house started trading in 1980. Then in 1986, the first Magic Millions race was run. “We pioneered the concept that was a sale with a closed race attached,” […]
We all know that lightning never strikes twice. But now, at Lightning Protection International, they’re making sure that even a first strike doesn’t cause damage. Entering this market was not a fluke. When Wayne Temple decided to found Lightning Protection International in 2002, together with a group of colleagues, he had more than two decades […]
This nimble manufacturer sells its video technology from Hollywood to Bollywood—so why hasn’t most of Australia heard of Blackmagic, the export magician? We ask founder and CEO, Grant Petty. Every time a new Blackmagic product comes out, Grant Petty learns to hate it. The process is essential, says Petty, to ensure constant reinvention. “Only by hating […]
Here’s a checklist of inspiration for aspiring exporters. Our collection of 50 favourite export case studies shows that there is no magic ingredient to making it on the world stage, but it certainly helps to get the basics right. Rod Sandison on Sentinel Exporting since: 2000 Key markets: Tanzania, Senegal, Zambia, Mali, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, […]
