OUR TEAM
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John ToddExecutive Officer
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Alex HawkinsBusiness Advisor
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Robert (Bob) GreenBusiness Advisor
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Lisa PensonBusiness Advisor
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Rebecca Di NoiaBusiness Advisor
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Michelle LockeBusiness Advisor
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Jane TweedyBusiness Advisor
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Viktoria DarabiBusiness Advisor
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Julie WarnerBusiness Advisor
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Hannah StackBusiness Advisor
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Glenn GardinerBusiness Advisor
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Angela MaguireBusiness Advisor
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Anthony SunayBusiness Advisor
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Jade BolandBusiness Advisor
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Sharon VenessBusiness Advisor
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Graham FitzpatrickBusiness Advisor
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Emma AutyDigital Business Advisor
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Katina BeveridgeDigital Business Advisor
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Nathan ToddDigital Business Advisor
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Kham Lee TranDigital Business Advisor
John Todd
John Todd
Biography
Alex Hawkins
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Alex
Biography
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
Robert (Bob) Green
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Bob
Biography
Work Mobile:
0490 251 615
Main Area’s covered (geo):
All areas.
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!
Lisa Penson
Position
Click here to book a business advisory session in with Lisa
Biography
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 is available for ONLINE appointments
Lisa wears many hats – coaching, mentoring, consulting, facilitating and training – she has worked with many business owners 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
- Diploma in Business
- Certificate IV in New Small Business
- DiSC – Behavioural Profile
- Master NLP Practitioner
- Executive Coach
- Business Coach
- Certificate III in Marketing
- Train Small Groups
Rebecca Di Noia
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Rebecca
Biography
Work Mobile:
0434 507 079
Main Area’s covered:
Parramatta, Cumberland & Fairfield LGA
What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
Mobile Business Advisor & since Sep 2016
What qualifications and business experience do you have?
My husband and I had a construction business for nearly 10 years, before my husband injured his back and forcing us to close the business. In early 2013 I started my own online retail business and have been partnered and exhibiting in some well-known events and selling on Amazon Australia. I have a Cert IV in Small Business and Training and Assessment, Certificate IV in Business Sustainability Assessment, NSW WorkCover Work Health & Safety General Construction Induction certificate, and Statement of Attainment in Real Estate Practice.
What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
Seeing the joy from business owners when they realised their potentials.
What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
Helping them fining solutions.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate….. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, to be gorgeous, talented, and fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won’t feel insecure around you.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God within us. And as we let our light shine, we consciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
If you don’t try, the answer is always no
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
Reading and singing. I have been singing for the past 40 years! (opps, there goes my age!)
What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?
“Hi How are you?”
Tell us your best joke:
Actually, I think I am quite a dry, boring person so there is really not much joke I can give you
Michelle Locke
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Michelle
Biography
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
Jane Tweedy
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Jane
Biography
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.
Viktoria Darabi
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Viktoria
Biography
Position
Disruption, Tourism, Food and Beverage and Marketing Small Business Solutions Advisor
Biography
Work Mobile:
0415 676 238
Main Area’s covered:
Parramatta and surrounding, Hills, Hawkesbury, Fairfield, but all LGA’s with Zoom.
What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
COVID Business Solutions Advisor
1 June 2020.
What qualifications and business experience do you have?
Le Cordon Blue Masters in Gastronomic Tourism
Bachelor of Arts French Language & Culture (Hons)
Diploma in Event Management
Cert IV Training and Assessment
JP
Self – employed since 1999.
What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role? People, people, people!!
Helping passionate small business owners who understand that running their own business while all-consuming, is also a privilege and to treat it as such. Being able to share my knowledge and experience to help small business owners think critically about the what, where, why and how of what they are doing. To help them solve problems and get their ‘end game’ vision in play.
What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses? When a small business owner learns to eat, sleep and drink the marketing of their business every day, treating it as equally important as day-to-day operations.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein
What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
Think critically about every what, where, why and how of anything you plan to do from a customer-centric perspective. Nothing else matters. ‘Data’ is king and ‘content’ is queen.
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
Visiting artisanal food and drink places anywhere in the world, speciality grocers, farm gates, tasting new foods, learning about food trends, spending time with my grandsons, cooking, food shopping.
Julie Warner
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Julie
Biography
Position
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
Biography
Work Mobile:
0414 210 979
Main Area’s covered (geo):
The Hills
What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
Business Connect Advisor, July 2020
What qualifications and business experience do you have?
– Small Business Management Certificate IV – Business Enterprise Centre
– Graduate of The Recipe for SEO Success
– Diploma of Project Management, Level 5
I started my first business at the age of 21 as the first mobile hairdresser in country South Australia. In 2006 I started a travel planning business offering a broker style service to find the best travel deals for people and customise itineraries using my extensive travel experience (I have travelled to over 120 countries). I have also written and self-published a couple of travel planning books. In 2008 I established the Not for Profit network group, Independent Business Network Inc in the Hills District for micro to small business owners, which is still going strong, providing business education and networking events for members and the local community. In 2017 with a passion for helping every business owner succeed I launched Your Business Helper to help cash-strapped, time-poor small business owners manage their online world with affordable website design, digital marketing and content creation services offering friendly, flexible, non-techy training if they want to try DIY. I have also loved volunteering at my children’s school P&C over the past 15-years coordinating fundraising initiatives and events for the school and wider community.
What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
I am looking forward to meeting and working with the local business community and helping them achieve their goals.
What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
I love when people have that light bulb moment and things make sense, something clicks for them and they understand or can see the “Why”.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
I don’t really have a favourite quote, but I quite like this one “You can’t control the past, but you can control where you go next” Kirsten Hubbard
What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
Research, plan and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Knowledge is power and will save you time and money in the long run if you have at least a little understanding of whatever area you are wanting to work on or outsource in your business.
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
I love to travel both at home, exploring our amazing country and around the world. I also enjoy cooking, reading and playing tennis.
Tell us your best joke:
Remembering jokes is not really my strong point but here we go – Why can’t a leopard hide? Because he’s always spotted.
Hannah Stack
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Hannah
Biography
Mobile: 0439322229
Hannah is passionate about helping small business succeed. From her background in Marketing, she can provide solutions to small business in the areas of profitable strategies, inbound marketing and all social media/digital requirements. Hannah has a Bachelor of Commerce(Marketing). She brings with her strong experience of a Strategist in developing cohesive and profitable strategies for small businesses.
She has worked as Marketing Strategist and Chief Strategy Officer in her previous roles.
Glenn Gardiner
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Glenn
Biography
Mobile: 0404834646
Glenn is a strategic leader with a flair for developing performing teams and achieving great outcomes. He is a guiding and mentoring leader who creates trust and respect with all stakeholders and builds high performing teams.
Glenn has a broad skill set with solid capabilities in a wide range of commercial disciplines, nonetheless Glenn is analytical, he has a natural talent for data analysis and creates his own insights through assessing historical data, observations and team feedback to develop strategic plans that meet the rapidly changing market.
Glenn has a wide range of business experience;from his own start-uproofing business in 1998 to managing business outcomes for assets valued at $600M.
Angela Maguire
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Angela
Biography
Mobile: 0414 207 755
Angela is a communications expert with specific emphasis in brand strategies and marketing. Has experience in the agriculture & retail sectors. She has operated her own business since 2014 and has a Master & Bachelor of the Arts and a Diploma of Financial Services.
Angela has worked with large and small to medium sized businesses to formulate and deliver their communications and marketing plans and has a reputation for making technical information accessible to non-technical audiences.
Anthony Sunay
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Anthony
Biography
Mobile: 0401682867
Anthony has many years experience in assisting small business to reach their goals.He has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Management Degree. He is proficient in Project & Product Management, Sales and Marketing.
He has worked in multiple industries such as cleaning retail, electronic manufacturing, gaming machine manufacturing, photographic manufacturing. Anthony’s last role in the corporate world was a project managing telecommunication projects and product management of new and existing products for the TV and fibre optic industry.
He brings with him strong project management skills as well as marketing, finance and accounting skills.
Jade Boland
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Jade
Biography
Qualifications
Masters of Business Administration (Management)
Bachelor of Business and Commerce with specialisation in Management
Diploma in Small Business Management
Certificate IV in Customer Contact
Certificate III in Customer Contact and Telecommunications
Diploma of Legal Services, Paralegal
Certificate in Small Business Resources Social Media Online Training
Certificate of Completion – Building a Business Plan
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – Currently undertaking
Small Business Experience
Classic Café, Catering & Coffee Truck 2009-2011
Sesame Pizza 2013 – Present
The Boss Lady 2018- Present
Introduction
Jade has owned and operated numerous small businesses since starting her career and still today continues to deliver services to small business owners.
With 7 years’ experience in the corporate world Jade is able to use her knowledge of both big business and small business to help develop your business goals.
Jade is passionate about helping small business owners level up through confidence and help them grow their business and brands. Developing a social media presence online and growing your business is something Jade can help you to achieve in your own business. She specialises in event management and planning, social media strategies, customer service and customer experience, compliance, insurances, financial planning and budgeting, staff management and much more.
While she currently runs 2 small businesses and has her own networking group Jade has a natural ability to make you feel comfortable and in good hands.
Jade knows that small business owners need support and guidance along the business journey and she is here to support and educate you along the way through the Business Connect program.
Sharon Veness
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Sharon
Biography
Work Mobile:
0415 155 176
Main Area’s covered:
Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Fairfield
What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
Business Advisor
What qualifications and business experience do you have?
Advanced Diploma Accounting(Business)-Gymea TAFE 2006
Advanced Certificate in Real Estate-Sydney TAFE 1996
Advanced Diploma Art Therapy (for individuals & Businesses)-Health & Harmony College Queensland
What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
Meeting all types of businesses each day and seeing the amazing diversity that is around this country.
What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
I get a buzz when I see another small business person happy when they are doing something they really love.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
“Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.” Jay Danzie
What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
No business idea is too weird. Just explore it.
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
Paint, art, read, walk, my animals.
What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?
HI I am Sharon, what is your name and business.
Tell us your best joke:
Do you want to hear a paper joke?
Don’t worry it’s tear-able….bahahaha ok, I am not so good at jokes.
Graham Fitzpatrick
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Click here to book an appointment with Graham
Biography
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.
Emma Auty
Position
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business
Biography
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.
Katina Beveridge
Position
Biography
Katina Beveridge is the CEO Strategic Online a Sydney based Digital Marketing Agency. She helps businesses grow through strategic digital marketing solutions.
Katina also shares a passion for teaching and helping small business owners, having been in that space herself she understands the issues small business face every day.
When not completely immersed in work she loves to spend time with her children out in nature.
Nathan Todd
Position
Biography
Work Mobile:
0437 609 290
Main Area’s covered:
Western Sydney
What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
ASBAS Digital Business Solutions Advisor & Program Manager. Recently started with the team in July this year
What qualifications and business experience do you have?
Certificate IV in Business
Diploma of Management
What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
Getting to meet local business owners regularly and helping them with the services I can provide.
What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
Making them realise how important a digital presence is and how it can change their business dramatically
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today
What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
It’s never too late to make changes to your business. What you implement today will improve your business tomorrow
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
I am big on fitness so gym and running takes up a bit of my time, but I love to relax on a weekend and watch the Panthers play
What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?
I’m half the size of my dad but twice as good
Tell us your best joke:
My ceiling isn’t the greatest, but it’s up there (love my dad jokes)
Kham Lee Tran
Position
Biography
Work Mobile:
0435 527 930
Main Area’s covered:
Parramatta and surrounding. Liverpool, Hills district, Sydney CBD.
(For outer areas and ACT, one on one via Skype)
What is your role at WSBC & how long have you been with us?
ASBAS Digital Business Solutions Advisor
3 weeks since 13 July 2018.
What qualifications and business experience do you have?
Postgraduate studies in Marketing Management at Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM). Marketing Consultant for own business, Marketing Manager/Executive for various corporate organisation.
What is the best part/your favourite thing about your role?
Working with a diverse range of small business owners who are dedicated and passionate about their business. Being able to impart my knowledge to help small business owners to better understand and implement marketing to help their business grow.
What do you find most rewarding when helping small businesses?
Saving them from costly marketing mistakes. Educating them on cost effective strategies that can improve their productivity, online presence, leads and sales.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! – Audrey Hepburn
What is the best piece of advice you can give a potential or existing business owner?
Don’t reinvent the wheel, look to your competitors who are successful for inspiration. Network and surround yourself with like minded people from diverse industry who can offer support and advice.
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
Creating wonderful things from paper. Origami paper cranes, flowers, butterflies, swans, lilies.
What’s your favourite line to use as an ice breaker when meeting someone new?
“Oh it’s freezing/(so hot)/cold ! “
Or “Hi, I’m Kham. What do you do?”
Tell us your best joke:
Are you kidding me? Ok sorry I’m not a joker. I’ll pass.