BREED

Finding purpose through COVID

BREED Australia supporting local small businesses

MANY tenants at Quakers Hill based BREED Business Centre, run by BREED Australia, have credited the organisation by enabling them to survive the harsh economic and social climate due to global pandemic.

COVID-19 has been a tough time in the business world and for many Western Sydney small businesses, it was a sink-swim period which saw them struggling to keep themselves afl oat.

Th e BREED Business Centre which is about to launch a new incubator model in Western Sydney provides offi ce rentals for small businesses with shared facilities, administration support and networking events for its tenants and the local community.

BREED tenant Sanjeev Mehra, who owns Garage Film Studios (htt ps://www. garagefi lmstudio.com/) felt the impact of the pandemic. Many small businesses had to resort to working from home, and Mr. Mehra spoke about the diffi culties.

“Th ere was a real lack of networking. It was a diff erent environment—I turned one of my rooms into my studio. Th ere wasn’t the sort of communication that I had with people while I worked from home.”

Mr. Mehra started up his business when he was only 16 because of his passion for entertainment and social enterprises and based his business at BREED Business Centre in 2018. He initially chose BREED because, as an incubator, the business Centre could get him the help and support he needed.

“It’s also an excellent location, it’s close to where I live. It’s good for fi lming, as I can fi lm around the precinct.”

Mr. Mehra says he viewed COVID-19 as an opportunity to start again and to fi nd positives in every negative, seeing the changes in the way he runs his business as the opportunity for a fresh start.

“In my profession, things are always changing. Th e client’s vision is always changing.”

During the pandemic, BREED off ered two months’ rent free through April and May, and a third month with 50% rent to help ease the fi nancial burden for its tenants.

Mr. Mehra says that the support he received from BREED during this challenging time was a signifi cant factor in keeping his business running.

“BREED helped with the rent relief. We also worked as a team to get through it. Th e communication was always good, and BREED considered our situation. We were really fi ghting together as a unit against the eff ects of COVID-19.”

Flexibility a key feature

BREED continues to listen to the needs of their tenants to work out solutions for those still struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Despite the trying circumstances of many small businesses, the situation has also led to past tenants coming back to the business Centre.

Lisa Duong from Success At School Tutoring Centre (www.successatschool.com. au) has returned to BREED following the pandemic. She left the business Centre in 2019 as she was more involved in childcare. However, the company returned to BREED Business Centre in April 2021, and Ms. Duong said that the location and space were very appropriate for her business.

“We like the fl exibility that BREED off ers and there’s so much support.”

During COVID-19, her childcare business lost three-quarters of its client, which Ms. Duong describes as a ‘signifi cant drop’. However, she says things are beginning to return to normal.

Th e return to BREED Business Centre felt like a natural move for Ms. Duong, who found that the atmosphere of the business Centre, the tenants and the staff was a bett er fi t for her than a larger commercial building.

“With commercial, you’re on your own, but at BREED there’s that level of community.”

Devesh Kumar, a leadership coaching and business mentor who off ers training in emotional intelligence, believes that BREED feels like what the community should be about and represents the interests of small business.

“I think more people should do what they love, and I think BREED has the potential to get more people doing what they love and aligning how they live with how they earn.”

Mr. Kumar chose BREED because it was close to home, but also because of its potential to branch out and support the community through its network of start-ups and service-based businesses.

“BREED is what the community should be about. It’s about supporting businesses and helping them grow and enjoy what they do.”

BREED Australia’s General Manager Emmanuel Martin said that BREED is now focused on helping its Business Tenant Community building Resilient mindsets to be able to survive the “new business world.”

BREED Tenants: L-R Devesh Kumar, Lisa Duong, Sanjeev Mehra.

For information on BREED Australia and its services, please visit. www.breedaustralia.com.au or contact via phone on 02-98533200

Attention Small Businesses Owners!

Our Virtual Offi ce Solutions can help save time and reduce stress so you can focus on your customers.

Our virtual tenant solutions will:

• Save you time. Having a virtual offi ce can relieve the stress of administrative duties, giving you more time to focus on your customers. • Save you money. Our virtual offi ce solutions are lowcost, meaning increased profi tability for your business. • Add a new level of professionalism. This way, you’ll be leaving a great impression on new and existing customers.

As a BREED virtual tenant, you will benefi t through:

• Discounted offi ce room and equipment hire • Invitations to free business seminars and networking events

Virtual reception packages:

Virtual reception basic package ($100/month) Virtual reception premium package ($180/month) Cancellation with 30 days written notice.

Invitations to business networking & training events

50% discount on meeting and training room use.

Your business listed on our tenant directory.

Telephone answering service.

0-50 calls

50+ calls

Virtual address & offi ce packages:

Cancellation with 30 days written notice. Invitations to business networking & training events

Virtual address $45/month

Virtual reception basic package ($100/month) Virtual reception premium package ($180/month)

50% discount on meeting and training room use. Access to business address (physical & PO box) Mail and deliveries

Your business listed on our tenant directory. Telephone answering service.

0-50 calls

50+ calls

Published in Western Sydney Business Access | Parramatta Times | Blacktown News | www.westernpropertyguide.com.au

Homes selling in 16 days

Western Sydney property sizzling hot

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

WESTERN Sydney is the ‘hottest’ property market in Greater Sydney with 19 of the 20 fastest selling suburbs and six of the highest annual price increases.

The property surge continues with six of the top 20 “boom” suburbs featured in the latest sales fi gures comparing annual growth for each suburb and many homes selling within two weeks of coming on the market.

Property site Domain published the list recently and top place was taken by Northbridge with an outstanding annual growth of 28.5%.

A close second was Drummoyne which went up by an average 26.5% and Riverview and Denham Court took third and fourth. Denham Court is the best buy on the list with a Media Price of just $810,000.

Many of the properties in these areas are traditional stock, either semi detached or free standing and investors and families are purchasing them for renovating and to escape the cramped inner city.

Outer suburbs such as Penrith, Hornsby and The Shire remain attractive opportunities for buyers seeking the traditional home on a good size block.

Natalie Knight of Wiseberry Berowra said families were looking to get out of the inner city and apartment living because of the pandemic.

“They want their own home and land and areas like Hornsby, The Hills and the Far West provide that sort of opportunity.”

That makes Western Sydney’s property market particularly hot in area likes Old Toongabbie, Glenbrook and Dean Park where they are selling in an average 16 days according to realestate.com.au.

In fact, 19 of the 20 fastest selling properties were in Western Sydney.

Ms Knight said this was because many buyers wanted a house and land following the worry of the pandemic and these suburbs were ideal.

McGrath Blacktown agent Joel Hollings said in a fast moving market, buyers had to be ready to buy before they even went house hunting or they would run the risk of being disappointed.

“You can’t be shopping without pre-approval as homes are selling in days, not weeks.”

Property Buyer CEO Rich Harvey said it was crucial buyers set a maximum price and stick to it.

He said when making an off er on a home it was key to put forward an attractive rice and perhaps a ”sweetener “ as some vendors were becoming “greedy” on price in the current climate.

The Largest Property Growth:

Suburb Median Annual Price Change

Northbridge $3,945,500 28.5% Drummoyne $2,300,000 26.5% Riverview $2,962,500 25.5% Denham Court$810,000 25.2% Russell Lea $2,305,000 24.9% Rouse Hill $1,068,000 21.4% North Epping $1,675,000 19.6%

Sources: Domain, realestate.com.au

HOW THE WEST IS WON HOW THE WEST IS WON

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ISSUE 9 | April 2021

Minister pushing for more women on Parramatta Council: 3

BEST GIFT BEST GIFT SINCE THE SINCE THE OPERA HOUSE OPERA HOUSE

POWERHOUSE Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah is more interested in the flood of excitement over the controversial $920M project than any flood-waters that may lap at its riverside approach. After the recent devastating rains that saw Parramatta River break its banks between the ferry wharf and the site of the museum, Ms Havilah is adamant that the building and its exhibits will not be affected.

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AUTO: SsangYong's mid-life update: 30 BUSINESS: Retailers reveal solutions: 34 TRENDS: Is love passing you by?: 36

SALOVS: How hope really happens: 19 TALE OF TWO POOLS

AFTER a few hot summers

for swimmers who loved Parramatta and

during their closures, relief is on the way. Just a day apart, the refurbished Wentworthville pool opened and

spectacular Parramatta Aquatic Centre. Both communities have been without a pool since 2017, the Parramatta Memorial Pool demolished to make way for Bankwest Stadium and the previous Holroyd Council wanting to close the tired Wenty pool rather than refurbish it. After a bit of

and the NSW Government on who would pay for its replacement, an agreement was reached on funding for the state-of-the-art aquatic centre. And in Wentworthville, a concerted community campaign and the Cumberland Council, saved the beloved pool with an upgrade. While Parramatta residents wait two years for their pool, they are welcome to dive to Wenty.

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NEW LOCAL

Blacktown's LOCAL media voice Blacktowns LOCAL media voice Issue 1 | April 2021 Issue 1 | April 2021

EXCLUSIVE: Bob Turner on his new role at Blacktown FC.

Young people turning their lives around at BYSA.

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AVITAL youth service in Blacktown is set to

close after missing out on important State Government funding. The Blacktown Youth Support Association’s Youth HQ program helps young people at risk - those who have been in trouble with the law or those who may be headed that way. But the service was told at the end of last year by the Department of Communities and Justice that they had missed out on funding, in favour of more “targeted” youth programs. A letter from the Minister for Families and Communities Gareth Ward suggested that the BYSA seeks funding from other government departments such as education and sport. FULL STORY 10

WELCOME to the Blacktown NEWS

WELCOME to Blacktown's NEW LOCAL media voice, The Blacktown News (BN).

The Blacktown News is the much-anticipated new newspaper and digital media brand that covers Blacktown LGA with local news written by experienced journalists.

The Blacktown News is Blacktown's ONLY printed newspaper and is independently owned and managed locally by a management team that has been working in Blacktown for almost 20 years.

The News will be distributed across 110 strategic distribution points in the LGA.

Published in digital and print editions the Blacktown News o ers maximum impact for targeted advertising opportunities and reach to Blacktown's diverse population.

With a mission of championing community and business issues, the BN is a proud media partner of the Greater Blacktown Chamber of Commerce, the Blacktown Local Business Awards and Blacktown FC.

As one of the state’s fastest growing cities, Blacktown has undergone a signi cant transformation.

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The Blacktown News is the print and digital media resource that connects residents and visitors to the city’s diverse community, its progress, business opportunities and lifestyle.

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Why you aren’t losing weight and what you can do about it

 ADAM SIMPSON

WHEN it comes to getting results with your health and fitness being consistent is the key.

Regardless of what your health and fi tness goal may be, I can guarantee you won’t get there if you are inconsistent with your exercise and daily eating habits.

Over the last 12 years I have trained well over a thousand local people so I have seen what works and what doesn’t.

If you are someone who has a goal of losing weight, below are some of my best tips to help you drop those unwanted kilograms and get you in the best shape of your life.

Exercise more days than you don’t

– Over the years I have found that most people will generally eat better and have a better all-round routine on the days where they are exercising. So, try to make it your number one habit, to be someone who exercises very regularly.

Find Exercise that you actually enjoy

– The best exercise programs are the ones that you can actually stick to, so go do something that you enjoy. That way you will be much more likely to stick to something long term. Think outside the box and make it fun, exercise shouldn’t be a chore. Play a sport, take a dance class, join a group training session or go for a bush walk. Anything will work, just do it consistently!

Short workouts work – In 2021 we are all getting busier and busier, so take the pressure off yourself. If you can only spare 10-20 mins for a workout, that is plenty. Just do something and keep the habit going.

Focus on better nutritional habits –

Please don’t get caught up in jumping from diet to diet, the reason you have gained weight in the past or haven’t managed to drop that excess body fat, is not because you haven’t found the miracle diet you are looking for. It is because somewhere along the line, life got in the way and your daily habits got out of whack. Focus on building a healthy routine that fi ts in with your busy lifestyle.

Get the basics right more often than

not – When it comes to nutrition, I am a big believer of getting the basics right. Eating a well-balanced diet does not need to be complicated, try and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, drink more water, eat foods high in protein and minimise the “treat” type foods.

Above all you are consuming too

many calories – At the end of the day you won’t be able to lose body fat if you are eating too many calories. This is why it is important to reduce (not cut out) the “treat” type foods that you may be eating too much of. Instead aim to eat more fi lling lower calorie options eg. Vegetables, quality sources of carbohydrates for energy and lean cuts of meat.

To sum it all up, try not to overcomplicate things. The best plans are often the simplest, create yourself a workable plan of action so that you can stick to it long term. I guarantee you the results will come, you just need to be patient.

Fitness expert, Adam SImpson.

Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training. www.repititionspt.com.au