Executive Officer | AIMM, MIEF, JP

John lives in Emu Plains and has lived in the Penrith / Lower Blue Mountains area all his life. John has been with the centre since July 1992 and was previously a Bank Manager for the Westpac Banking Corporation for 20 years. In addition to many years in business, he holds a Diploma of Advanced Business Facilitation.

John is a Justice of the Peace and is a member/director of the following organisations:

– Chair of BEC Australia
– Foundation member of the Australian Institute of Enterprise Facilitators.
– Vice President, Treasurer & New South Wales representative National NEIS Association.
– Past Board Member of Business Innovation & Incubation Australia Inc.
– Director Business Enterprise Centres Australia Limited
– Member of Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, Biznet Regional Chamber of Commerce & Hawkesbury City Chamber of Commerce.
– Member of the Institute of Management.
– Past Director of Football and President Blacktown Spartans Football Club Inc.
– Past Director Biznet Regional Chamber of Commerce
– Past Director of Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation (now Penrith Business Alliance)
– Past Director of Nepean Skillshare
– Past chairperson for the BEC Central Regions Group.
– Past board member & founding member of Penrith Nepean United Soccer Club.
– Past committee member of Nepean District Soccer Football Association Inc.

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Work Mobile:
0490 102 194

Main Area’s covered (geo):

The Hills, Blacktown

 

What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
Business Connect Advisor, 3 years

 

What qualifications and business experience do you have?
Masters of Applied Finance (with merit) MAF, Bachelor of Commerce and Administration BCA, Graduate of The Recipe for SEO Success, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate IV in Small Business Management, NYIP Diploma in Professional Photography, plus completed many other training courses.
Has worked with small businesses through prior corporate roles and previously had a small property investment company, and tried out being a wedding photographer. In 2014 started a business helping people with resumes, and more recently have reinvented that into a new business. Also launched FAQ Business Training in direct response to the frustration of the amount of small business owners I had seen being ripped off. An active volunteer, running a Job Search group in Penrith and the Blue Mountains, a Max Potential Community Coach and director on the Hawkesbury Community Financial Services Ltd Board that runs the Bendigo Community Bank® in Richmond and North Richmond.

 

What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
I love helping people, it’s always been part of my DNA, and I love variety so the role is awesome for me.

 

What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
Helping small business owners get through difficult situations and seeing them come out the other side with a great sustainable business. Helping business owners uncover what they almost had, but couldn’t quite achieve themselves.

 

What is your favourite inspirational quote?
I don’t have one, preferring to create my own that apply in the moment.

 

What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
If you’re unsure, ask for help. It’s better to fill in gaps than get stuck, or get ripped off.

 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
Recently my life has been all about setting up my new businesses and speaking at various events like CopyCon and Wordcamp, which has the benefit of learning from the other speakers at them too. Luckily I love what I do, and happily stay up into the wee hours of the morning. When not doing business activities, I like exploring new places, even if that means being a tourist in my own town. In the summer love taking advantage of our pool, but my favourite thing to do is snorkel. I often balance a snorkelling trip with a trip to the theme parks (most years I hold a Dreamworld or Movieworld season pass – and I prefer to go without any kids in tow!).

 

Tell us your best joke:
I think my brain is so full with business stuff, I can never remember the punchlines of jokes! As a kiwi I think I become the joke, particularly when I say one of ‘those’ words.

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Work Mobile:
0490 251 615

 

Main Area’s covered (geo):
NDIS and any other requests for assistance anywhere

 

What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
I am an advisor and also 2IC. I have been working with WSBC since July 2015.

 

What qualifications and business experience do you have?
I have experience in banking, finance, sales and sales management, developing and implementing workplace health and safety policy and procedures, workers compensation insurance, back to work coordination, education, public speaking, and employment practices and procedures.

 

What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
Meeting and helping a wide variety of people and business types.

 

What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
The smiles at the end of an advisory session and the appreciation most show.

 

What is your favourite inspirational quote?
“nil illegitimus carborundum” or the long forgotten exhortation “just do it!”

 

What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
Plan and think about the business idea BEFORE spending money.

 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
I’m not a bad cook, so I cook. I love spending time with my children and grandchildren.

 

What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?
Hi, I’m Bob, its good to meet you, tell me your story.

 

Tell us your best joke:
My favourite joke is what is known as a shaggy dog joke and involves a fair lady, a knight, a dragon and a quest. Too long to write here and needs a person to person telling. A short one would be, why are dinosaurs extinct? They missed the boat!

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Work Mobile:

0413 890 699

 

Main Area’s covered:

Blue Mountains / Hawkesbury / Penrith

 

What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?

Business advisor and have been with WSBC nearly 2 years.

 

What qualifications and business experience do you have?
I have a broad career encompassing marketing, sustainability, events management, hospitality, sports management, animal welfare and funding, NFP organisations, Chamber of Commerce and Economic Enterprises. She holds a Certificate IV in Small Business Management, Diploma in Business Studies, Certificate Women’s Sport Management Program, and The Natural Step Framework

 

What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
Meeting people I love how passionate they are to do something that inspires them.

 

What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
Their successes, small or big when they work hard on their business and it pays off.

 

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give

 

What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
Do your research!
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
Walking my dog on the fire trails also love to go camping or to the beach

 

What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?
Hi – with a big smile

 

Tell us your best joke:
Hmm I don’t have one I seem to forget the punch line

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Work Mobile:

0490 293 269

 

Main Area’s covered:

Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Picton

 

What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?

Business Advisor – 2 months

 

What qualifications and business experience do you have?

I have a bachelor degree in Business (Major Marketing) and have run my own small business online and retail for 9 years.

I have worked in corporate sales since 17 years of age, 21 years.

 

What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?

I enjoy helping people to realise their dreams and aspirations

 

What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?

Seeing some one start something they thought they couldn’t and seeing someone be successful at it!

 

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

 

What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?

Go with your gut instinct!

 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with my family and I am a huge Sydney Swans fan so like to get to as many games as I can!

 

What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?

What is your why?

 

Tell us your best joke:

You can see me in water, but I never get wet. What am I?

• Reflection

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Lisa is passionate about working with small business owners to help them achieve their goals and develop plans to take their business to the next level.

Lisa wears many hats – mentoring, consulting, facilitating and training – she has worked with many business people from a large variety of industries and at all stages of their business,

Lisa speaks on business topics, runs networking events as well as teaching the Certificate IV and Diploma of Business. Lisa’s runs workshops that are practical, informative, relevant and fun.

Having been at the coalface of business for many years, Lisa offers a highly relevant perspective that encourages, teaches and inspires business owners. Through her individual style and approach to coaching she has helped many small business owners to follow a more successful path.

You’ve come to the right person for business knowledge and support!

Qualifications and Accreditations

– Certificate IV in workplace training and assessment
– DiSC – Behavioural Profile
– Diploma of Business
– Master NLP Practitioner
– Executive Coach
– Business Coach
– Certificate 111 in Marketing
– Train Small Groups

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

 

Work Mobile:

0490 408 103

 

Main Area’s covered:

West and South West of Sydney

 

What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?

Point to Point Transport and General Business Advice. Started in Sept 2017.

 

What qualifications and business experience do you have?

Advertising Certificate, Cert IV in Marketing, Cert IV is Business (Management). Worked in the Advertising Industry for 27 years for Fairfax, News LTD, Independent Publishers and a local Radio Station. Half of that time was as a Branch Manager at a number of Community Newspaper Offices.

 

What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?

Meeting new people

 

What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?

When you see a business put into practise what you have discussed with them and then having them thank you for the help and support.

 

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

You can do it!

 

What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?

If you don’t enjoy want you are doing, don’t do it!

 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Tell Bad Dad Jokes

 

Tell us your best joke:

The other day, I bought a thesaurus. When I got home, I opened it up and all the pages were blank. I have no words to describe how angry I am.

 

Digital Business Connect Advisor | Office Manager | Dip Mgmt

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Emma lives in Penrith and has been with the Centre since January 2007.

She graduated from St Joseph’s Central School as Dux of the year. She is the Centre’s Administrative Coordinator, Assistant to all of the Business Advisors in the office as well as the Centre’s Digital Business Advisor, helping clients with Digital Advice and Social Media. She is also responsible for the Centre’s accounts, all administration aspects, and managing the office. She holds a Certificate III in Business Administration, a Certificate IV in Business and a Diploma of Management.

Emma has also owned and operated her own small business since 2012.

Administration Assistant

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business

Work Mobile:

02 4721 5011

 

Main Area’s covered

Penrith Office

 

What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?

Admin assistant/receptionist –  currently been with Western Sydney Business Centre for 1 year.

 

What qualifications and business experience do you have?

Cert III in Real Estate

Cert II in Beauty

Woolworths – Front end attendant, previously a night supervisor – 7 years (currently still employed)

 

What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?

Talking to clients when they call/enter the office

 

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

“Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile”.

 

 

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Working on cars, jet-skiing, hiking, shopping and watching V8 Supercars. Spending time with family and friends are most important to me.

I’m a adrenaline junky, so anything that gets my heart pumping is a fun time for me.

 

What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?

If you are warm and welcoming usually you won’t need an “ice breaker”

 

 

Tell us your best joke:

What do you call a deer with no eyes? NO EYE-DEER

Digital Business Solutions Advisor

Digital Business Solutions Manager

Digital Business Solutions Advisor

Business Connect Advisor

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business