Make 2012 The Year for Thriving in Your Business
The Northern Rivers BEC is a Not-For-Profit community organisation established to support local businesses through training, one-on-one support, mentoring and networking. See how they have helped local business Eco Chic…
Local business, Eco Chic, sought assistance from the Northern Rivers BEC during their start-up phase. Eco Chic is an online furniture shop showcasing eco friendly furniture and homewares throughout Australia, founded and created by interior designers Cris Bucknall and Paula Beckman.
“We always believed we had a great idea, but we did not have enough money to do it properly. We went looking for a small business loan and found that traditional banks were very risk averse. The Northern Rivers BEC looked at our business plan and shepherded us through the process of getting a microenterprise loan through NAB. We got a great interest rate and would not have even been considered had NORBEC not supported us,” says Eco Chic co-founder Cris Bucknall.
“More recently, we needed marketing advice, but being a start-up, we could not afford to hire a firm. Northern Rivers BEC did the research and put us in touch with someone who could help. They had a lot of good ideas and insight, many of which cost nothing at all to implement…all for free.”
The Northern Rivers BEC offers free one-on-one consultations with its advisors based in Tweed Heads, Byron / Ballina, Lismore and the Clarence Valley. They also present workshops for new and established businesses, with upcoming workshops listed at www.norbec.com.au.
“The Northern Rivers BEC offers more than just good business advice for free. They are invaluable in that the advice is not compromised by any vested interest. I went to Northern Rivers BEC wanting them to pick my plan apart, to show up its weaknesses and set me in the right direction or tell me to move on. The fact that they thought it was such a great idea and were willing to offer support gave me the confidence to move forward,” says Ms Bucknall.
Follow-up Resources:
Eco Chic products can be found at www.ecochic.com.au
Northern Rivers BEC information can be found at www.norbec.com.au
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Make 2012 The Year for Thriving in Your Business
Author:
Claire McGarry
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