Business Foundations

Did you know there are over 110 Business Enterprise Centres in key locations across Australia?

The BEC Network Business Enterprise Centres are community-based, not-for-profit business assistance organisations that are owned and supported by locally managed incorporations. They are designed to facilitate the creation, retention and development of sustainable business enterprises and to foster local economic development.

Each BEC has access to the talents and resources of all BECs plus federal, state, and local governments providing quality business assistance, often for free (there are some nominal charges for workbooks, software and services).

BECs through their successful public/private partnerships with governments, private enterprise and local communities across Australia provide practical confidential business facilitation services. Additionally these partnerships give BEC clients access to a wealth of professional services and government programs.

Find your nearest BEC at www.beca.org.au or phone 1300 363 551.

Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you own a business and want to grow but don't know how?
Are you running smoothly but want expert advice on marketing, hiring and firing, working with regulations or strategic planning?
Talk to us.
For 20 years, Business Foundations has helped small businesses in Perth, providing one-on-one advice, training and mentoring as well as skill-specific workshops and leasing incubator office space.
We are a not-for-profit organisation that deals with businesses of all sizes and at every stage.
Make an appointment with one of our advisors to see how we can help you.

 The services provided by Business Foundations Inc. are partially funded by the Australian Government.

Business Foundations has committed sponsors that enable us to supply the community with the opportunities to help them achieve success.

Enterprise Connect Enterprise Connect is an Australian Government initiative of the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Enterprise Connect has a network of 12 centres located across the country that work with small and medium businesses in industries as diverse as manufacturing, clean technology, resources, defence, tourism and the creative sector by providing business improvement services. Their our services are available to businesses whether they are located in metropolitan areas, country centres or remote Australia. The Enterprise Connect centres are staffed by highly skilled Business Advisers who provide access to specialist expertise and the best available technical and business resources to help you transform business in Australia.
Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) The SBDC has been a sponsor of Business Foundations since 1992 and is one of our most significant supporters. The SBDC is a WA State Government agency and its objective is to encourage economic growth and enhanced employment opportunities through the development of effective small and medium sized enterprise in Western Australia. Visit the SBDC website for a list of the services they offer.
AusIndustry AusIndustry is a significant supporter of Business Foundations with the provision of the Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) Initiative funding. They are a Federal Government agency responsible for improving the prosperity of all Australians through enhancing the development of internationally competitive and sustainable business. AusIndustry provides a range of services and grants directly to Australian business and is a respected source of knowledge to government regarding the business environment in Australia. Visit the AusIndustry website for more information.
City of Fremantle The City of Fremantle has been a financial sponsor of Business Foundations from its earliest days. The City of Fremantle has a well developed economic development plan, including the development and support of small business. The City of Fremantle has 26,000 residents and approximately 12,000 small businesses. Fremantle is a bustling tourism and retail centre, and services the maritime industry. Visit the City of Fremantle website for more information.
City of Cockburn The City of Cockburn has been a financial supporter of Business Foundations since 1992. The City of Cockburn is one of the fastest growing local government areas in the Perth metropolitan area. It has approximately 92,000 people, and it is expected to grow to over 120,000 by 2026. There are approximately 8,000 small businesses operating within the city. Visit the City of Cockburn website for more information.
City of Melville The City of Melville has been a financial supporter since 1997. The City of Melville has 97,000 residents and approximately 14,000 small businesses, including the retail complex of Garden City, the light industrial/commercial areas of Myaree and the commercial area of Canning Bridge. For more information visit the City of Melville website.
City of Rockingham The City of Rockingham is a new supporter of Business Foundations, recently inviting us to provide business advisory services to their community and take on the responsibility of operating their business incubator.  The City of Rockingham is a fast growing outer metropolitan region, with a population growth of 3.92% last year to have approximately 104,000 residents.  The City of Rockingham has some fantastic natural beauty, with great beaches, cafes and tourist spots to visit, and a large retail and commercial sector servicing its local population.
Town of Kwinana The Town of Kwinana is a new supporter of Business Foundations, recently us to provide business advisory services to their community and take on the responsibility of operating their business incubator.  The Town of Kwinana has a population of just under 30,000 people and is growing at the rate of 3.54%.  Recent investment by the State Government and shopping centre owner Woolworths is transforming this area to a modern, vibrant town centre to its people.  The addition of the southern metropolitan train line has also meant an increase in housing construction and development.
Microsoft Through DonorTec, Business Foundations has been able to upgrade its internal server and systems to enable better client data management and communication.  Many thousands of dollars of software has been donated to Business Foundations through the Microsoft Software Donation Program.

Phillip Kemp – Executive Director
Phillip has qualifications in agricultural science, small business facilitation and company management and is recognised as an industry expert in the field of small business development. He has published widely on SME and micro-enterprise development issues with particular reference to international best practice in business incubation operation and has conducted international research and published comparative international studies on the provision of SME and micro-enterprise business advisory and support services.
He holds key positions on a number of national boards and associations including Chairperson of Business Innovation and Incubation Australia and a member of the Enterprise Connect Manufacturing Advisory Board.

Kim Charles - General Manager
Kim has a high level of organisational and management skills. She worked in a number of industries over 15 years experience in economic development.

Kim successfully set up her own business consultancy in New Zealand, delivering government economic development programmes and tourism business generating customer revenue for many clients.

She was also involved in event management and community projects nationally and internationally.

Tony Beard – Business Advisor
Tony has spent the past twenty five years working with, and delivering services to, small business operators and managers. He specialises in management and marketing and succession planning strategies.
His experience has been garnered across all Australian states in a variety of sectors, from financial services to hospitality to heavy industry.

Tony has worked with over 2000 business operators in “one on one” development sessions.
He advises established businesses working on growth strategies and structural efficiencies, and helps start up or emerging businesses looking for resources and guidance.
Tony is also an accomplished workshop presenter.

Lachy Ritchie - Business Advisor
Lachy is a young entrepreneur with a passion for social enterprise. In July 2010 he cofounded Dismantle, a not-for-profit enterprise that uses bicycles as a medium for generating positive social change in the community. Dismantles innovative business model engages business and local community members in initiatives that fund charitable programs for at-risk young people.
Lachy is a 2011 Alumni member in the Foundation for Young Australians’ Young Social Pioneers Program. A twelve month intensive leadership program that selects 14 young change makers from across Australia, providing them with extensive training and mentoring. Lachy is now a member of the Young Social Pioneers Advisory Board and was recently recognized with the 2011 Australia day Premiers Award for active citizenship in the Fremantle region.

Janene Troy - Business Advisor
In addition to her formal business business qualifications, Janene has first-hand experience as a small business owner / operator and has spent the past 25 years working with small business owners across Western Australia.
Janene draws from a broad experience base, having worked across multiple industries and has assisted many small business owners in improving their business performance and realising their goals.  With a particular interest in the service, retail, family and home based businesses, Janene is available to help you start-up or run your business better!

Don Geare – Business Advisor, Enterprise Connect
Don has a general management background, having managed a variety of manufacturing and service businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and England.

Don has served as CEO with two primary industry co-operatives in Western Australia, and has been intensely involved in food processing, value adding, and export of food products to areas in Asia and the Middle East.
Don was named Telstra SW (WA) Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year 1997 in recognition of export and business expansion achievements.

Now living in Bunbury, Don has more recently been involved with small business in the South West of Western Australia. He was Business Manager of Bunbury Air Conditioning and Electrical Services (2005-07), during which time the company won awards including overall winner in the 2007 WA Regional Small Business Awards.

Jackie Zele – Finance Manager

Jackie has been with Business Foundations since its establishment in 1995. She has extensive experience in Office Management with a diverse range of skills including, event, workshop and property management. She has an Economics diploma and a Certificate IV in Financial Management. Previously she has worked overseas as an Auditor with small businesses and various government departments.  Jackie provides accounting and payroll to the organisation and is responsible for its Financial Management, including monitoring, reporting and grant administration.

Natalie Budd- Doyle  -Trainer

Natalie Budd-Doyle has recently relocated to Perth from New Zealand where she trained, tutored, mentored and advised over 300 clients in business.

Whilst studying her Degree in Business, she was offered an opportunity to manage and deliver a NZ Government Contract, assisting clients into Self-Employment. She was then invited to develop the Marketing Module for the Certificate in Small Business Management for (The University of NZ) Te Wananga O Aotearoa. Natalie tutored the Certificate in Small Business through Te Wananga O Aotearoa.

She has operated her own businesses in both the corporate and retail sectors.

Natalie brings with her, a wealth of knowledge and experience in delivering programmes similar to NEIS.

She is a very passionate trainer, who believes that her success can only be measured by the successes of those she teaches.

Serene Chen - Projects Officer

Serene started with Business Foundations in 2010. She joined the company after completing her studies in commerce at Curtin University. Her majors include marketing, e-commerce and management. She makes use of her wide variety of skills at the company, directing its marketing and promotional efforts. Serene also deals with the administrative side of the NEIS program at Business Foundations. Originally from Singapore, Serene moved to Perth in 2005.

Business Foundations is a not-for-profit provider of enterprise development services to the community of Western Australia. It has been a remarkable journey from small beginnings, and today we help more than 2000 business people each year.

Clients come from all walks of life, and range from people wanting to start a small business, existing small to medium sized businesses, manufacturers and small business tenants. Our services include business incubation, one to one advisory sessions (virtual incubation) and group training and mentoring.

Vision

To improve the lives of Western Australians by assisting the community to become more enterprising, increase economic activity and ultimately assist in creating employment.

Mission
To be known in the community as the primary point of reference in providing information and assistance to new and growing small business.

History
The work of Business Foundations really started when a group of sandal makers at Fremantle Markets were provided assistance by a Murdoch University PhD student, Ernesto Sirolli, back in the late 1980s. Ernesto was interested in enterprise creation as a means of creating regional economic development and by helping the sandal makers get in touch with expert mentors in the form of an Italian bootmaker – and by providing them specific business advice, he was able to help them improve their products, and income.

The sandal makers were so impressed by the level of help, they approached local authorities and business groups, arguing for a business facilitator to be employed in Fremantle full time. Run out of the Fremantle Migrant Resource Centre, the new service would offer advice to anyone starting a business or business people looking to improve their operations.

By 1993, the State Government took a similar approach, funding a statewide network of agencies that could address enterprise development in a bid to combat high unemployment of about 10 per cent. The Fremantle operation, which was already successfully providing these services, was funded as part of this network. Around the same time, the closure of the Old Fremantle Prison as a working jail meant that the remarkable heritage building became available for alternative uses. It was decided that a former cell block would be ideal as a business incubator, a way of assisting new businesses to take office space in a supportive environment until they were ready to graduate into commercial premises.

The incubator opened in 1997, at which point the organisation adopted the name Coastal Business Centre and expanded the range of services it was able to offer small businesses. We reached out to home-based businesses and began to build our reputation with already established firms. The new incubator meant businesses were able to have high-security offices as well as expert business advice on-site, and the success rate of these firms improved markedly. New contracts were attracted, from local and Federal governments in addition to the State BEC contract, and services were offered broadly in surrounding areas.