Meet Your Local ETC Small Business Experts
ETC is a community-orientated, not-for-profit provider of employment and training services, helping people in many different situations to overcome their personal challenges and develop the skills they need to find sustainable employment.
Committed to reinvesting profits into the communities where they operate, ETC is built on respect, integrity, success and empowerment. This is evident in everything they do and especially in their people.
Two such people are Kimberlie (Kim) Clare-Campbell and Julian Campbell, who have both lived and worked in the Hunter region for nearly two decades. With over 70 combined years of small business experience under their belt, you could say they are your local experts. What's better? You can receive their business advice for free.
You can meet Kim and Julian in person by attending your local Newcastle Entrepreneurship Expo, but we caught up with this dynamic duo in person to learn more about them (before you meet them!)
Kim moved from Central Coast to the Hunter as a Tai Chi Instructor in the 90s, where she discovered many different areas of the Hunter while teaching classes from Morrissett to Newcastle and out to Maitland and Nelson Bay. Kim's family (husband and son) have lived and worked in the Maitland area for the last 17 years and love the mixture of bush and farms.
"Each morning on my way to ETC's Maitland office, I drive along the banks of the Hunter River. I see the kangaroos grazing in the paddocks, the birds flittering, the changing seasons, and the fluctuating height of the river. It's an uplifting way to start the day," says Kim.
Kim has been actively involved in local craft groups, kid's sports, arts organisations, community fundraising activities and local business groups and chambers.
"For five years I was also a monthly guest on Business the Law and You, a business radio show on 2NUR FM and was able to share business information with the 20,0000 small business owners who tuned in live. I've also been a judge for several local Business Awards, including Singleton Business Awards and a sought-after guest speaker at business networking groups across the Hunter and Central Coast," says Kim.
"I have owned a successful Maitland-based craft business for over 17 years and helped other small business owners while working for the old NEIS program."
Julian moved to Newcastle in 1991 from a Managerial position in Melbourne. He participated in the first Newcastle NEIS course, became a trainer on the program and subsequently, General Manager of The Newcastle Business Centre.
"In my 31 years in the Hunter, I have built a strong reputation through 20 years hosting a Business Show on a local radio station, holding the position of CEO with a major Law Firm, Director with the Lake Macquarie Business Enterprise Centre and Business Development Manager with a local accounting firm," says Julian.
"This led me to present regularly to business groups, and my legendary use of the Emperor Penguin in relation to business is still talked about after 25 years," he added (you will have to ask him about that one yourself!)
Although not a member of the Lions Club organisation, in November 2014, Julian was awarded The Melvin Jones Fellowship by the Lions Clubs International Foundation in recognition of his humanitarian work.
"The Lions Club award is given to recognise outstanding Lions or members of the public – like I was at the time and recognised my training work with their Youth Leaders Training Program. So it was really special," says Julian.
Catch up with Kim and Julian, experience new local small businesses showcasing their products and services, and hear from industry experts, leaders and other successful entrepreneurs at the Newcastle Entrepreneurship Expo.
If you're unable to make it to the expo, feel free to contact Julian and Kim to discuss your business needs. Whether you're interested in starting your own business or are an existing small business owner needing support - they can assist you through Workforce Australia - Self Employment Assistance. Find out more by calling 1800 007 400 or visiting their website www.etcltd.com.au.
