2016 BROOME SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Written on the 9 May 2016 by Jael Napper

The 2016 Broome Small Business Awards were held at Pearl Luggers on Friday 6 May, a celebration of Broome's most innovative and successful businesses.

The winning businesses are:

Franchise Business:  Hydrokleen Broome (Peter Jenkinson)
Hydrokleen Broome specialises in the cleaning and sanitising of air conditioning systems.  For a fifth year in a row, Hydrokleen Broome has achieved the highest turnover of its 28 franchises nationwide, this is despite being located in the smallest population base of all outlets.  Its success is attributed to astute business acumen with a focus on exceptional customer service, establishing the business as Broome's market leader in the field.

Aboriginal Business:  Broome Sportfishing (Kurt Williamson)
Broome Sportfishing is a charter fishing and whale watching tour operator based in Broome.  Additional to its contract to provide charters to guests at Eco Beach Resort, Broome Sportfishing has broadened operations to also facilitate the Broome tourism market with great success.   Owner Kurt Williamson is Yawuru, a heritage which he attributes his competitive edge.  As a local Indigenous guide, his clients catch lots of fish and his business has thrived from positive word of mouth.

Start Up Business:  Wanna Play? (Wayne Glendenning)
'Wanna Play?' is an entertainment business established by Wayne Glendenning in February last year.  Wayne's ability to look at life from the angle of a 'big kid' allowed him a competitive edge with developing an impressive array of interactive ways of entertaining kids.  Yet after just 12 months 'Wanna Play?' has reached the point where its product range has outgrown its marketing Tag Lines and the business is now expanding into 'Activities Workshops Entertainment' for both adults and kids.  His story is a journey of creativity, savviness and the firm belief that work life can be fun!

Community Engagement: Best IT and Business Solutions (Matthew Sear)
In 2014, following a tough financial year Best IT and Business Solutions changed their direction from donating financial sponsorship to many charities and organisations, to 'in kind' services and free IT equipment.  Director Matt Sear believes this change in direction has had a two-pronged affect; their staff have become community leaders and with that came a great positive shift with their sense of achievement.  Best IT and Business Solutions also provides free IT equipment and support to organisations such as the Broome Surf Life Saving Club and sponsors the Broome Saints Football Club, Kununurra Neighbourhood House & Feed the Little Children amongst others.

Business 0-4 Employees: Chelsea Jade Hairdressing (Chelsea Tang Wei)
Chelsea Jade Hairdressing is a boutique Hair Salon with a very unique history.  Their shop in Chinatown is a heritage listed building over 103 years old where Chelsea's grandfather (a hard hat pearl diver) used to run a highly successful Chinese restaurant.  Today the building is transformed into Broome's most stylish boutique with a great focus on customer service as proven by their GOLD accreditation by the Australian Hairdressing Council within just a year of opening (the only salon in WA to achieve this in such a short time).  Additional to the salon, Chelsea Jade Hairdressing is highly sought after for services for photoshoots, runway fashion shows, TV shoots and other special events.

Business 5-10 Employees: Adventure Wild Kimberley Tours (Simone Kapiteyn & Rory Dreyer)
Adventure Wild Kimberley Tours provide the ultimate, all-inclusive guided camping safaris throughout the remote Kimberley region of Australia's north-west.  Established by ex Broome Police officer Rory Dreyer in 2008, Adventure Wild was created to offer quality affordable camping holidays with excellent customer service.  Since then the business has grown to operate 35 twelve-day tours with 5x18 seat custom built trucks/trailers.  Adventure Wild creates loyalty through extreme personalised service, continual attention to detail, unquestionable integrity and always exceeding their guest expectations.

Business 5-10 Employees Highly Commended:  Dragonfly Café (Melinda Jenkinson)

Business 11-20 Employees:  Best IT and Business Solutions (Matthew Sear)
Best IT & Business Solutions is an information, communication and technology (ICT) support company with head office based in Broome and two further offices in Kununurra (opened in 2013) and Karratha (opened in 2015).  It currently employs 16 staff across the 3 locations and have a footprint that provides ICT support from Exmouth to Wyndham.  Best IT and Business Solutions continues to grow on the back of local contracts and relationships constructed over 13 years of support in ICT and working with the local communities.

Business 11-20 Employees Highly Commended:  Life and Soul Health and Fitness Club (Cindy Kempton)

The 2016 Broome Small Business Awards was reprised this year by the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry following the restructure of the previous administrators, the Broome Small Business Centre which has since amalgamated with Kimberley Small Business Support.

The evening was attended by approximately 100 local business people and residents, and welcomed special guests GWN7's regional news anchor Noel Brunning and Chair of the Small Business Development Corporation Kitty Prodonovich.

Rhondda Chappell, President Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "The calibre of entrants for the Awards was outstanding and we're so happy to be able to celebrate the achievements of all of these businesses.

"I'd like to offer a special congratulation to Best IT and Business Solutions for taking out two categories their business is a true inspiration to anyone seeking opportunities in Broome.

"Thank you to everyone who applied for an Award.  Now that you've done the initial leg work we hope you'll consider re-applying next year."

Applications for the 2017 Small Business Awards will re-open in December this year to allow more time for businesses wishing to apply.

 

 

The Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry would like to thank all sponsors for the 2016 Broome Small Business Awards:

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR: SHIRE OF BROOME
SPONSOR:  KIMBERLEY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
CATEGORY SPONSORS: HERTZ BROOME
   NYAMBA BURU YAWURU
   KIMBERLEY SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
   WILLIE CREEK PEARLS
   SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
   HORIZON POWER