Melton Business Excellence Awards2017

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU

news + sport + property guide A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

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2017 MELTON BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

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A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature 2017

Message from the Mayor It’s been a year of exciting changes and innovation for the prestigious City of Melton Business Excellence Awards.

An eye-catching new brand; revamped award categories; additional events to help celebrate local business achievements; extra rigour in the application questions; and a revised nomination and judging process have all been implemented to propel our awards into the next 10 years of success.

With all this change, it’s important to remember the years of work – the foundation – upon which the City of Melton Business Excellence Awards has been built. I thank the innovators that started the awards back in 2007, and say a wholehearted well done to all our previous nominators, applicants and volunteer judges. This year, we acknowledged the award’s rich history with a 10year retrospective celebration. It was great to see past winners celebrating their previous entrepreneurial successes, and look forward to sharing more of these moments in years to come.

The evolution of the City of Melton Business Excellence Awards is typified by this year’s principal sponsor, Quest Caroline Springs. Quest’s partnership with our awards has progressed from applicant, to multi-award winner, and now key partner through significant sponsorship and mentoring. Quest is an example of how our business awards have helped nurture and support business growth and the entrepreneurial spirit within our community. We congratulate them for sharing their success, not only with Council, but with our community as a whole.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our co-sponsor, WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex, our media sponsor Star Weekly, and of course, this year’s category sponsors. Without your support, the City of Melton Business Excellence Awards would simply not happen.

Nine award-winning businesses are now etched in history and their remarkable stories have been retold in this special edition of Star Weekly. Congratulations to you all, and may your businesses continue to thrive within our great municipality.

Melton City Council recognises the integral role businesses play in our community and we are committed to developing a strong and dynamic local economy that supports business and employment opportunities. I would like to congratulate all nominees and finalists of the 2017 City of Melton Business Excellence Awards and encourage residents and businesses to support these outstanding local enterprises.

winner CAT NAPPING SUBURBAN RETREAT EAT Business of the Year

The business model was simple; create a luxurious home-away-from-home for furry family members and offer inclusions other catteries don’t.

With the best accommodation around, Cat Napping Suburban Retreat has boomed for owner Ebony Centazzo. She says it all comes down to gut instinct and doing what she loves – looking after cats.

“I used a cattery once when I was going on holiday and thought automatically, I can do better than this, and my business was born from that first thought. I haven’t looked back,” she says.

Cat Napping opened in Hoppers Crossing and answered a demand for the service, with sites also now in Caroline Springs and Spotswood.

Ebony credits her amazing team with the successful growth of the business.

“I can really trust my staff and that has given me the confidence to work on other parts of the business. I know they are looking after our guests the same way I would and that is really important to me,” she says.

“Included in our rate is exercise time, dispensing any medications needed, gourmet meals, great-quality bedding and photo updates for the “humans” … and loads of cuddles, of course.

“Our return clientele is also a great indicator that this level of service is sought-after.

“And importantly, the cats love it here. We really do make sure they have a great time and feel supported, as cats can get scared when out of their usual surroundings.”

Cr Sophie Ramsey, Mayor City of Melton

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Winner

business of the year

Cat napping suburban retreat

best home based business award

studio of suCCess beauty Centre

best hospitality and tourism business

hi Voltage Karts

best trade and ConstruCtion

monte’s KitChen Cabinets

best retail business

my diffability australia

mayoral aChieVement award best new business

disCoVering strength

best CreatiVe industries business

melton musiC

best transport, logistiCs and manufaCturing business

fixwell smash repairs

best professional serViCes business

Cat napping suburban retreat

best aCCess and inClusion business

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A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

Hi Voltage KartS

Monte’S KitcHen caBinetS

Best Hospitality and tourism Business

Best Home Based Business

“I’m a busy-body and I really get to know my clients. I am proud to say that I have seen many women come in lacking confidence and they leave renewed and ready to take on the world; we rebuild from the inside out.”

A mechanical engineer by trade, Jaime started his career in car racing, and then moved across to Honda and started Hi Voltage Karts after Honda moved overseas.

“It was great as I’ve always wanted to own my own business, and I get to teach kids about mechanical engineering, and especially electric motor systems,” he says.

“They really are the future of motoring so I like to think I am helping the kids get a good grounding so they can maybe pursue it as a career when they grow up.

“I am passionate about it so it’s great fun.”

“Kitchens, wardrobes – you name it, we do it. I’ll craft anything from wood, really. I just focus on making quality stuff.”

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“Yes, I can transform the way people look and show them how to apply make-up, but the real trick is the inner work,” she says.

Jamie says the electric karts that he has built his business around can be remotely controlled, making it a safer option for younger kids and a great way for them to safely get into the sport.

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Juanita creates facial prosthetics, has hair treatments for those who are losing their hair and has her own line of mineral-based cover-all make-up, Tuya Colour Cosmetics.

He calls it the Karting Academy, and it teaches kids how to drive a kart and later, more details about electric motoring technology.

Steven Montebello has known he wanted to work with wood since he was a young kid in school. ”I liked woodwork at school. I did work experience with a local carpenter who offered me an apprenticeship, at 15!”, he says.

Steven completed his apprenticeship and then started his own business from his garage 18 years ago. He kept investing in “bigger and bigger machinery” as he could afford it, eventually moving into his factory where the thriving business he now runs with his wife is based today.

Steven credits the steady business to his attention-to-detail, dedication to produce quality products and passion for his craft.

“I always make sure everything is as close to perfect as you can get. I get a kick out of making quality stuff,” he says.

“All of my work has been word of mouth, ever since I started. One job leads to the next.”

Steven now offers other products and services, including glass splashbacks.

Norton Drive

She began her career in film and TV hair and make-up and this is something she is still involved in now. She’s travelled the world in her work but today she loves best helping those with skin and hair issues such as acne, rosacea and burns scarring, as well as survivors of domestic abuse and bullying, showing them how beautiful they truly are.

Hi Voltage Karts is a go-kart business with a difference. As part of his business, owner Jamie Meizer runs mechanical engineering classes helping children – and parents too – learn about how electric motors work, all from his purpose-built facility.

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Juanita Vella is a talented and passionate beauty specialist and beauty entrepreneur – and she’s saving lives and hearts as she goes.

Best trade and construction

Hw y

Studio of SucceSS Beauty centre

77B HIGH STREET, MELTON 3337 CONTACT: 9743 9500

2017

My DiFFABility AustrAliA

Discovering strength

Best retail Business

Mayoral Achievement Award Best new Business

My Diffability is an online business offering parents and carers of children and adults with developmental challenges the tools and knowledge they need to help their loved ones reach their full potential.

Discovering Strength is not only a childhood and adolescent psychology service for children with additional needs, it is a place where children can access cognitive behaviour therapy, narrative therapy, reality therapy and emotion coaching – even karate classes.

Melton Music started from music lessons in a small house and has quickly grown to be a thriving and much-loved stalwart of the Melton community. It’s now in a larger location, offering both music lessons and retail.

Business owner Renee Townson says the key to their year-on-year 30 per cent growth is due to their dedication to educate and help their clients.

Business owner and registered psychologist Denise Cran is passionate about building upon individual strengths of the children she works with and showing them how to be their best selves.

Melton Music’s owner/operator Jasmine Lynch says employing teachers who are passionate about music has been the key to the business’ fast growth and continuing success.

“Clients were often spending money they didn’t have on resources that weren’t necessarily what they needed. We offer advice free of charge as I am a speech pathologist and my business partner Tarryn Dee is an occupational therapist,� she says.

“We work in particular with kids with additional needs, ASD, learning disabilities, dyslexia and oppositional defiance,� Denise says.

The key is employing passionate people,� Jasmine says.

“We have set up an email specifically for our clients to ask direct questions as we know many were confused as to what works and what doesn’t. “We are dedicated to helping these families and offering value-formoney service.�

A black belt in karate, Denise’s specialised karate program is for children who may have sensory and attention issues, giving them the skills they need to go on to a regular karate class – with great success. “I have transitioned six kids into the standard program since beginning the classes, which is great.�

Denise has also started a technology group. “It’s a fantastic group for social skills and builds upon the strengths of these kids – their concrete thinking and fantastic rote learning ability.�

Melton Music Best creative industries Business

“We make sure we employ people who not only love what they do, but also love teaching students. “As a result, our students love working with their teachers and we get really great outcomes.�

Jasmine says they also have teachers with training to help children with special needs, and they have rooms that are quieter as well.

Offering group lessons has also been a driver for success. “Our group lessons are only $11 per week and all students get 10 per cent off all instruments and materials – because we believe in our motto ‘Making music affordable’.�

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A Melton & Moorabool Star Weekly Feature

Fixwell sMAsh repAirs

cAt nApping suBurBAn retreAt

Discovering strength

Best transport, logistics and Manufacturing Business

Best professional services Business

Best Access and inclusion Business

Victor Mercieca founded Fixwell Smash Repairs 27 years ago in Sunshine. Now the business is based in his home town of Melton, with one and a half acres of undercover space. It’s one of the largest smash repair shops in the western suburbs.

With the best accommodation around, Cat Napping Suburban Retreat is booming for owner, Ebony Centazzo.

Victor credits the business’ growth to the dedication of the team and the prompt, ethical service and multiple complimentary services such as detailing, towing and hire cars.

“I used a cattery once when I was going on holiday and thought automatically, I can do better than this, and my business was born from that first thought. I haven’t looked back,” she says.

Fixwell’s state-of- the-art premises utilises the latest technology and smash repair techniques to repair both major and minor collision damage.

“We do full panel repair service and that includes minor and major accident repairs,” Victor says.

“We also do in-house electrical and mechanical repairs, front-end suspension and wheel alignment work and of course we have our full detail facility as well. We’re a one-stop shop.

“All our repairs come with a lifetime guarantee, with conditions of course, but all in all we pride ourselves on doing everything in a timely manner, on being very customer-focused and take pride in everything we do.”

Ebony says it all comes down to gut instinct and doing what she loves – looking after cats.

Ebony credits her amazing team for the growth of the business, now with sites in Hoppers Crossing, Caroline Springs and Spotswood.

“I can really trust my staff and that has given me the confidence to work on other parts of the business. They are looking after our guests the same way I would and that is really important to me,” she says.

“Included in our rate is exercise time, dispensing any medications needed, gourmet meals, great-quality bedding and photo updates for the “humans” … and loads of cuddles, of course,” she says.

“And importantly, the cats love it here. We really do make sure they have a great time and feel supported as cats can get scared when out of their usual surroundings.”

Discovering Strength is a place where children can access cognitive behaviour therapy, narrative therapy, reality therapy and emotion coaching – even karate classes.

Owner and registered psychologist Denise Cran says the business is so much more than a childhood and adolescent psychology service for children with additional needs. She is passionate about building upon individual strengths of the children she works with and showing them how to be their best selves.

“We work in particular with kids with additional needs, ASD, learning disabilities, dyslexia and oppositional defiance,” Denise says.

A black belt in karate, Denise’s specialised karate program is for children who may have sensory and attention issues, giving them the skills they need to go on to a regular karate class – with great success.

“I have transitioned six kids into the standard program since beginning the classes, which is great.”

Denise has also started a technology group.

“It’s a fantastic group for social skills and builds upon the strengths of these kids – their concrete thinking and fantastic rote learning ability.”

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