Bendigo graduates of the Government’s NEIS program from Asuria include ‘Me & Mary Jane’, ‘Venom Coatings’, 'Bet This Hasn't Been Taken', 'Bronte Pleasance' and 'Bella Martin Birth Attendant'.
Asuria is delighted to have has helped five new start-ups and their enterprising founders get Bendigo’s business sector get off to a bang in 2021, as the most recent graduates from the Australian Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS), get set to bring a range of new products and services to the region.
A clever ecommerce business joins a computer accessories and repairs service, a car and truck coatings specialist and an environmentally friendly hemp-based cat litter among the ambitious start-ups boosting Bendigo’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
Talking about the help and support she received from Asuria, new business owners and NEIS graduate, Arabella Gates, Founder of hemp cat litter business Me & Mary Jane, says that the program offered her crucial information on getting her business off the ground: "You slowly work your way through the modules at home while participating in relevant discussion in the classroom. The classes were truly engaging and cover everything from legal requirements to marketing strategy to ecommerce. The result is a business plan I feel confident going to market with”, says Arabella.
Other Bendigo-based NEIS graduates and their new products and services include:
- Venom Coatings
Founder, Shane Hollis
Venom Coatings is a Bendigo based business that specialises in applying specialised protection coatings to 4x4 vehicles.
Mobile Shack
Founder, Tracey Thomas
A Warrnambool partnership shop-front business delivering smart phone repairs and computer accessories, in the form of a drop-off and pick-up service.
https://www.mobileshack.com.au/
Bet This Hasn’t Been Taken
Founder, Julian Dove
Bet This Hasn’t Been Taken is an eBay store, selling collectable retro toys, electronics and more.
https://www.facebook.com/betthishasnbeentaken/
https://www.ebay.com/str/betthishasntbeentaken
BrontePleasance
Founder, Bronte Pleasance
A Castlemaine-based photographer specialising in pregnancy and birthing photography, with a signature film-based style.
https://brontepleasance.com/
Bella Martin Birth Attendant
Founder, Bella Martin
A Castlemaine-based Doula, supporting people to feel empowered and confident throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey.
https://www.facebook.com/beelamartinbirthsupport/
Anyone not in employment, education or training is eligible to apply for the Australian Government’s NEIS program, with Asuria having helped hundreds of new business owners strike out on their own since 2009.
Once part of the program, support includes small business management training, mentorship, income support and rent assistance. While the knowledge, expertise and personal support offered by local Asuria NEIS Small Business and Entrepreneur Managers gives jobseekers access to personalised support and advice regarding all aspects of starting a business, including finances and law, marketing, business registrations and business planning.
Talking about her experience working with Bendigo’s latest group of NEIS graduates and budding entrepreneurs, Wendy Winzar, Small Business and Entrepreneur Manager for Asuria says: “It is always extremely exciting and satisfying to see a new group of students emerge from the Small Business Training program. Starting a new business and striking out on your own isn’t always easy, but what any of our most recent graduates would say to others considering a similar path is that anyone can do it, all you need is an idea and we’re here to help with everything else it takes to start a business.”
If you have a new business idea or are looking for help and support launching your own product or service, click here to visit our NEIS webpage to find out if the program might be right for you.
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