Networks and Support

Helen Forrest
Self-Employment Assistance Program
Business Mentor - Mid North Coast
Helen.Forrest@asuria.com.au
P: 1800 773 338
M: 0457 586 786 

 Helen Forrest is a business mentor for the Self Employment Assistance program on the Mid-North Coast. This program is delivered by Asuria, the biggest provider of the Self Employment Program in Australia, and importantly run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

Helen is an entrepreneurial aficionado, having owned and operated her own successful businesses, and now currently running her own recently launched e-commerce brand. Her area of expertise and passion is in commercial finance – digital advertising – ecommerce – supply chain solutions – selling on Amazon – shopify - motivation & goal setting and just getting stuff done.

If you have a business idea or an existing small business, you may be eligible to access monthly mentoring, at no cost, for up to 12 months.

The Self Employment Assistance Program helps new start-ups and existing businesses with areas such as: 

• Formulating start-up business ideas through Exploring Self Employment Workshops
• Build a working business plan via the 8-week microbusiness skill set course
• Delivering certifications in entrepreneurship
• Providing professional advice through free business advice sessions
• Determining the health of an existing business through structured business health checks
• Guiding your start-up or existing business through a 12-month mentoring and coaching program.

Financial Support

You may also be eligible for financial support while you start and run your business as part of Small Business Coaching.

You can check your eligibility on the Australian Government's Self Employment Assistance page or contact the team at Asuria on 1800 773 338.

Gabrielle is your point of contact for all things export. She is responsible for the delivery of export advice to NSW companies in our area for the State Government as well as the delivery of TradesStart services export program for Austrade.

NSW Export Advisors provide businesses with advice to help them achieve their export goals and take full advantage of international market opportunities.

She can provide advice on:

• market opportunities
• planning for export
• market entry strategies
• identifying new markets
• exploring market potential
• distribution channels and regulatory requirements
• finding overseas business partners
• completing export transactions.

Contact Details

Gabrielle Oriel
Export Adviser – International Markets and Trade
Industry & Investment – NSW
0419 213 075
gabrielle.oriel@investment.nsw.gov.au
https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/export-from-nsw

Our local Business Development Manager is Steve Vallance who is handily located in Coffs Harbour. He is our conduit to any business assistance programs developed by the NSW Government. He is our go to person to help you identify your eligibility for programs and in some situations assist you to develop applications.

The Service NSW Business Bureau provides free, ongoing and personalised support for every stage of your business.

Businesses can:

• talk to a Business Concierge over the phone, in person or online

• get advice from an independent advisor or access a range of events, webinars and online resources through Business Connect

• engage with a multicultural advisor for in-language support or get culturally appropriate advice from the Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative (ABAI)

• create a Business Profile to make it easier to manage government transactions and business licences

•download the free Service NSW Business Bureau app to access support on the go

Contact the Business Bureau on 13 77 88

Council has a Duty Planner available each business day from 11am – 1pm to answer general enquiries regarding the planning process, development proposals, and the construction phase.

The Duty Planner can be contacted on 02 6568 2555 or in person at Councils Administration Centre at 44 Princess Street, Macksville between these times.

Committed to helping the regional business community, the Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber provides hands-on assistance to help identify and understand your workplace challenges. Our vast range of products and services can help you to sustain and grow your business.

Find out more on the website: Business NSW Member Network - Connecting Businesses Across NSW | Business NSW

Industry Capability Network (ICN) is a free service, supported by the NSW Government to assist urban and regional communities to increase economic prosperity.

ICN NSW was established in 1985. Everything they do is guided by a clear vision to help increase economic activity and jobs for the business community of New South Wales and, more generally, Australia.

ICN introduce businesses of all sizes to new business opportunities large and small across NSW, via a network of experienced industry procurement and supply chain specialists.

Brad Donnan has extensive experienced in the Northern NSW building industry, having represented one of Australia’s leading building products manufacturers for over 20 years.

Responsible for bringing all aspects of the supply and installation chain together, Brad successfully developed and maintained long term stakeholder relationships which were coupled with clear communication, technical knowledge and customer service to achieve dependable, quality results.

Brad is dedicated to advancing Coffs Coast businesses through connection to industry supply opportunities, leading to positive economic and social outcomes.

Brad Donnan
P: 0438 578 158
E: bdonnan@icnnsw.org.au