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For more information contact  c=AU;o=Commonwealth of Australia; ou=Department of Employment and Workplace Relations;ou=NEIS Team Page last modified 12 February 2008

NEIS Success Stories - General

  • E-lation E-bikes (PDF 193KB)
    An appearance on ABC's The New Inventors programme has given Allan Dow's electric bicycle conversion invention a power boost.
    (NEIS Provider: Career Employment Australia, 2006)
  • Expio Productions (PDF 77KB)
    At the age of only 24, Scott Penna has achieved a lot. Born and raised in Victoria, Scott studied for a Bachelor of Visual Arts at La Trobe University in Bendigo. After completing his degree, Scott wanted to find work where he could use his skills and follow his dreams. A passion for 3D animation and digital video, combined with the support of NEIS, helped Scott to launch his very own digital video production business Expio Productions.
    (NEIS provider: ABDC Bendigo, 2006)
  • Createable Foods (PDF 47KB)
    Mark Whiskin hadn't heard of NEIS until his local Centrelink office told him about it. It's all been up since then, with Mark's catering company supplying fresh, handmade foods for corporate events, film locations, private functions, and even nutrition workshops for school kids.
    (NEIS Provider: Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, 2005)
  • Joel Garcia (PDF 535KB)
    No longer an unemployed motor mechanic, Joel Garcia credits his Centrelink personal advisor for giving him the idea to take a mechanics business on the road.
    (NEIS Provider: Mission Australia, 2005)
  • Lunagraph (PDF 159KB)
    Ed Hughes has married the worlds of artistic photography and business with the help of NEIS business training.
    (NEIS Provider: Eastern Suburbs BEC, 2005)
  • Noosa Chilli
    Megan Twiname produces award-winning gourmet sauces and chutneys in the Noosa hinterland.
    (NEIS Provider: Sarina Russo Job Access, 2005)
  • Perfectly Plastered (PDF 35KB)
    Thanks to the support he received from NEIS, Andrew Mackay has made a successful transition from ex-Mitsubishi worker to owning his own plastering business, in which he specialises in restoration of ornamental plaster features and house exteriors.
    (NEIS Provider: Mission Australia, 2005)
  • Tallstoreez (PDF 54KB)
    In its first year of operation, Tallstoreez Productionz won the 2006 National NEIS Award for Best New Business. Jennifer Lyons-Reid and Carl Kuddell started the business with help and guidance from NEIS, and are now producing projects including an eight part documentary series for SBS, a new educational project for the ABC, and an interactive game for the City of Adelaide.
    (NEIS Provider: Mission Australia Adelaide, 2005)
  • Jonno's Carwash (PDF 116KB)
    With one eye on the market and the other on the weather, Jonathon Sciola turned Jonno's Car Wash from just another mobile car wash business into a real success story - despite drought-induced water shortages. In March 2007, Jonathon and his business won the Young Achiever Award at the City of Whitehorse Excellence in Business Awards in Box Hill. This business was a finalist in the 2007 National NEIS Awards for Best Growth Business Award.
    (NEIS Provider: Box Hill BEC, 2004)
  • Old Miner's Cottage Crafts (PDF 304KB)
    200km north-east of remote Kalgoorlie and unemployed for four years, Robyn McCarthy had run out of employment options. But with the help of NEIS, she now runs a craft store and distributes her products throughout Kalgoorlie.
    (NEIS Provider: Small Business Centre Kalgoorlie, 2004)
  • Pure Heaven (PDF 327KB)
    Their lavender farm started as a hobby, but now Maria and Justin Heaven manufacture a range of skincare products, have a shop in Stanthorpe, and a very professional website at Pure Heaven.
    (NEIS Provider: Business Success Group, 2004)
  • Tah-Dah Build-a-basket (PDF 170KB)
    NEIS gave Makeely Clarke the financial support she needed in the first 12 months of starting her own specialist gift basket and hamper business in Brisbane.
    (NEIS Provider: Mission Australia, 2004)
  • BEST Research (PDF 1.73MB)
    Sarah Lobban praises the NEIS small business training, for helping her and her husband Mark to develop a unique technology that turns olive pressing waste into fertiliser and other value-added products. A cooperative relationship with the University of Adelaide has led to BEST Research receiving research awards and grants of more than $250,000, and has the business on the brink of national and international success.
    (NEIS Provider: Adelaide New Enterprise Training Services, 2003)
  • Cheeseworld (PDF 65KB)
    For Margaret and Gerry Gagel the most important factor in running their specialty food retailing business is independence – seeing their business grow by their own endeavours. NEIS gave the couple the training they needed and the business planning reassured them that they were on the right track. Cheeseworld went on to employ two full-time and one casual staff members.
    (NEIS Provider: Business Success Group Pty Ltd, 2003)
  • Dazro RV (PDF 210KB)
    When Darryn and Robyn James both found themselves on benefits, they heard about NEIS. Their business started off converting vehicles to mobile homes and they had a turnover of $300 000 in their first year of trading. Now they manufacture new vehicles.
    (NEIS Provider: Sarina Russo Job Access, 2003)
  • Fussy Dogs Canine Cottage (PDF 58KB)
    When Penny Nolan began making home cooked dog meals for her own pets, she never dreamed that one day she would be running a business.
    (NEIS Provider: Northern Regional Development Board Inc, 2003)
  • Mr Micks Backyard Enhancements (PDF 20KB)
    Carpentry, concreting and a chocolate shop—all thanks to NEIS business training.
    (NEIS Provider: David Wells and Associates, 2003)
  • Raven Graphix (PDF 304KB)
    Royce Miller found himself unemployed when he didn’t know how to use the computer system at his work. Thanks to NEIS he now uses his own computers to design promotional products, display solutions and large format printing.
    (NEIS Provider: Mission Employment, 2003)
  • Suba Xtreme (PDF 98KB)
    When Jody Reed and his wife Julie were told about NEIS through their local Centrelink office, they realised that with the help of NEIS they would be able to turn their hobby into a viable business. Their NEIS business plan helped them to apply for a government grant, which allowed them to grow their business beyond expectation. Based in Maryborough, Queensland, Suba Xtreme employs four people, and as work increases, business growth is anticipated.
    (2003)
  • Hip Hooray (PDF 423KB)
    Armed with the idea of starting a one-stop childcare venue in Mildura, Tonya Twoomey approached her local MADEC agency, where a consultant referred her to NEIS. Tonya says that NEIS showed her the way, and the activity centre quickly grew to accommodate 60 children.
    (NEIS Provider: MADEC Jobs Australia Mildura, 2002)
  • In the Black (PDF 64KB)
    Marjory Davie gained critical business support, networking opportunities and an edge over her competitors by joining the NEIS programme. Tired of working for other people, NEIS gave Marjory the chance to start her own small business providing financial and administrative help to other businesses in Darwin.
    (NEIS Provider: Street Ryan And Associates Pty. Ltd. Darwin, 2002)
  • KLE Cheaper Choices (PDF 280KB)
    Boxing champion Karim Nashar began NEIS after deciding that a professional boxing career was not a long-term option. Attributing his success to the training received in NEIS, Karim is now the proprietor of KLE Cheaper Choices discount grocery store in Cheltenham, Victoria.
    (NEIS Provider: One Plus One International Armidale, 2002)
  • AutoH2O (PDF 111KB)
    Vince turned his business idea into reality with help from NEIS. In partnership with his wife Barbara, their business involves regular delivery of demineralised water to the automotive industry.
    (NEIS Provider: Eastern Region Business Enterprise & Arts Centre Inc, 2001)
  • BigKids Animation
    Sharing a love for animation, Kelly, Ann Marie and JC have combined their talent and, with the help of NEIS, have created BigKids Animation.
    (NEIS Provider: RMIT Training, 2001)
  • Black Springs Country Boarding Kennels (PDF 250KB)
    Finding themselves unemployed and with no business experience, Tony and Pat Svensdotter sought help from the NEIS programme. These animal lovers turned occasional ‘pet sitting’ into a full-time business running a boarding kennel.
    (NEIS Provider: Wesley Uniting Employment, 2001)
  • Cool Safaris (PDF 122KB)
    After 20 years of working in the textile industry, Stephen McCarthy and his wife Angela started Cool Safaris 4WD Tours and Excellent Adventures in the Blue Mountains – an idea that sprung from a family adventure around Australia. Never having operated a small business before, Stephen and Angela credit the NEIS training course for preparing them to start their business.
    (NEIS Provider: Penrith City and District Business Advisory Centre, 2001)
  • Frame-Mem (PDF 427KB)
    After a redundancy from the transport industry, David Fenech turned his framing hobby into a successful niche business.
    (NEIS Provider: Kangan Batman TAFE, 2001)
  • IT Squad
    The IT Squad Complete Networking Solutions was started with the help of NEIS by Angelo Mouio, and now installs small to medium computer networks in the Gold Coast.
    (NEIS Provider: Sarina Russo Job Access, 2001)
  • Sakshi (PDF 349KB) 
    With no jobs going in the West Australian fashion industry, Meredith Forder became her own boss. And her women’s fashion label—Sakshi—won the West Australian Designer of the Year award.
    (NEIS Provider: Eastern Region Business Enterprise & Arts Centre Inc, 2001)
  • Cuppuccino Queen (PDF 400KB)
    Cuppuccino Queen Bernadette Stack took her mobile coffee wagon on the road to events large and small, from fetes to V8s, from football to basketball.
    (NEIS Provider: Eastern Enterprise Development Agency Inc, 1998)
  • The Chilli Man (PDF 232KB)
    After various jobs and working on and off as a chef throughout his career, Brett Elphinstone decided to set up a business when he read about the growth potential in the chilli market. He approached NEIS after hearing ads about the programme on the local radio. With NEIS assistance, the business has gone from a backyard business to a company with annual turnover of more than $200,000.
    (NEIS Provider: Upper Hunter BEC, 1997)
  • Yeltrab (PDF 13KB)
    Tom Bartley, a kangaroo shooter by trade, approached his local Centrelink office with a business idea – processing kangaroo meat for consumption. With ongoing advice and support from NEIS, Tom was able to establish his small business in Roma, Queensland, and is now on a quest to market kangaroo meat as an alternative. Since start-up, Yeltrab has expanded to include two processing plants and a pet food shop.
    (NEIS Provider: Business Success Group, 1997)
  • Screaming Seeds Spice Company (PDF 208KB)
    From backyard operator to global exporter, Albie Cachia now employes five people, thanks to her NEIS training.
    (NEIS Provider: Australian Business Development Centre Geelong, 1995)