Success stories
Sigrid Adams – Village Support
The aged care industry is big business – and after more than ten years of working
in the sector, Sigrid Adams decided big business could use her help.
"I worked for a large not-for-profit aged care organisation, and over the ten years I worked for them I wrote three proposals for change and improvement and presented them to the CEO ... (but) as part of a large company you don't get the recognition or reward," she said.
The solution, she decided, was to strike out on her own. The problem was that she didn't know how to go about turning her business idea into a reality – so she sought help from Business Foundations.
"I got an appointment with a mentor, and he encouraged me to join the NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) program – the business got underway from there, and I outgrew working from home and moved into premises at the Prison," Sigrid said.
Today, Sigrid's business "Village Support" has taken on its first employee and is about to start a major marketing push.
The business offers services including relief management, mediation, facilities management, sales and marketing and zoning and compliance assistance for developers and operators of retirement villages.
Village Support has also developed a comprehensive policies and procedures manual for the retirement industry, and offers a flexible delivery model Sigrid believes is unique within the industry.
"I walked into Business Foundations not as a small business, but as a person with an idea, and they have allowed me to turn it into a reality– I'm now working at my dream job," Sigrid said.
"Being on-site at the Prison means we're among like-minded people, other small businesses, and there's support around every corner.
"I probably could have got there by myself but it would have taken me three times longer – the support and guidance I've received here has fast-tracked my business and it's the best move I could have made."
» Read more about our NEIS services.
