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MEET THE CHOICE GROUP OF COMPANIES TEAM‌ From left, (back) team at Choice Group, Developed Homes and PlayLab, front of house - client services officer, Emily Davey, trainee receptionist and accountant, Aaron Egan, property investment manager, Vicki Potocnik, accountant, Benj Beatty, client services officer, Andrea Gosstray, property appraisal team member, Hollie Wood, new home coordinator, Elysia Fallon, registered builder and construction manager, Mick Jeffery and builder, Heath Pell. (Front), front of house, trainee admin receptionist, Elizabeth Pottenger, team top dog, office commander, Darren Green, operations coordinator, Lauren Dwyer, chief play maker, Jamie Cox and apprentice builder, Daniel Dohrman. Photo: Alicia Niglia
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Isn’t it time you made possible? Nearly 10 years ago we created what is our current business model, with a shared vision and deep desire to ensure we help more people “make play possible” Our businesses have been built with a number of common core values, none more important than remembering that “life is short” and that to truly achieve what we want in life, a dream is nothing without a plan and team to help make it happen. Our businesses are built around the notion of “inspiring growth” and “enabling freedom”, we do this through The Play lab by creating an environment of inspiration and innovation, helping the makers and doers do what they love. Backed with our experienced team through Choice Group, all Accounting, Bookkeeping, Taxation, Finance and Business Planning is bundled together to ensure our clients time is directed to the most important parts of their lives, not the boring and mundane stuff. Coupled with an experienced property management team and experienced builders, our association and involvement in Developed Homes continues to help our clients “built better lives” through smarter, cashflow positive rental property solutions. We look forward to our future in our new location and invite you to join us and help “make play possible” for yourself.
All in the one, brand new location
196-202 High Street, Shepparton 03 5821 5667 | choicegroup.com.au info@choicegroup.com.au
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Vision boards and bucket lists
By Nicholise Garner IF you were to put a dynamic, forward thinking, highly motivated, entrepreneurial, outgoing, energetic and personable group of people under the same roof (the PlayLab), ask them to put their minds together using skills, networks and finance to support and encourage clients (Choice Group), the evolution of Developed Homes is a natural conclusion. I had the opportunity to meet with the Choice Group innovators, Jamie Cox and Darren Green and was deeply impressed by their likability and ‘can do’ attitude. These guys are inspiring and that’s pretty much what they do … they have gathered all of their resources to get the best out of and for people in business. Brimming with confidence a really infectious positive energy, these guys are well established in their business successes and yet they’re young and forward thinking with a strong understanding that success means a healthy balance between work and home life. In that, one of their core values is that you have to make play a priority in life. Jamie and Darren started their career aspirations together, some 24 years ago at just 16 years of age when as young entrepreneurs they sold computers to their classmates and ice to
GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO GET THINGS DONE… Choice Group, Developed Homes and PlayLab directors Darren Green and Jamie Cox have created a lifestyle and business model that yields rewards for all associated. Photo: Alicia Niglia
Eskimos. Their friendship followed them into accounting and a career in IT, until they eventually founded Choice Group… a business support group for so many of our local successes.
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THE RIGHT CHOICE… From left, Choice Group front of house - client services officer, Emily Davey, operations coordinator, Lauren Dwyer, client services officer, Andrea Gosstray, chief play maker, Jamie Cox, accountant, Benj Beatty, trainee receptionist and accountant, Aaron Egan, front of house, trainee admin receptionist, Elizabeth Pottenger and team top dog, office commander, Darren Green. Photo: Alicia Niglia
Choice Group… a power house THROUGH their innovative and forward thinking approach to accounting, marketing, finance and wealth development, Choice Group have ignited over 680 businesses in the Goulburn Valley with more than 4,000 clients on record. From small to large businesses, Choice Group uses their unique
and refreshing ‘can do’ attitude to motivate, encourage and support clients in achieving their business goals. Choice Group offers a long term, holistic approach to assist in achieving their client’s financial goals. Together with a team of professional staff directors, Darren Green and Jamie Cox have
an open door policy and are committed to delivering affordable wealth management solutions to every client. From accounting to business development, finance and wealth to property management, Choice Group are in prime position to get the best outcomes for their clients.
Helping lead the Choice Group companies to success Jamie Cox As well as being one of the founders of Choice Group, Jamie is the business’ chief play maker, who works with clients and staff to help make play possible. Jamie’s vision for the business is for the group to become the market leader in ensuring people achieve their best, by inspiring growth, enabling freedom and making play possible.
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Darren Green (Greeny) Darren helps to keep staff and clients happy and do everything in-between. With clients, he sees himself as a part of their management team; a mentor, looking where they want to get to rather where they have been. As one of the founders of Choice Group, Darren sees the business as being at the forefront of innovative thinking, that makes sure clients get out what they want to achieve.
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The faces behind Choice Group’s success
Andrea Gosstray
Benj Beatty
Lauren Dwyer
Aaron Egan
As Choice Group’s client service officer, Andrea assists clients in ensuring they get the best possible service Choice Group can deliver and channel the customer to the group’s specialist staff. Joining just over three years ago, Andrea believes the future of the group is in supporting and participating in the success of the group’s customers, whether they are large or small business or sole traders.
As accountant, Benj takes care of the financial side of a client’s business so that they can focus on their business and their life. Having been with Choice Group for just over a year, Benj sees the group becoming an integral part of the small business and start-up culture that is emerging in Shepparton, providing support and advice as the group grows with the city.
Lauren’s role as the operations coordinator sees her manage the HR side of the business and is responsible for coming up with new ideas to keep the fun vibe alive in the office. Joining the business in 2010, and starting as a trainee receptionist, Lauren’s vision for Choice Group is for the company to be the local business hub where local businesses can drop into the PlayLab and utilise the range of services on offer.
Aaron is both trainee receptionist and accountant at Choice Group and is enjoying learning both ends of the field while he is studying accounting at university. Having joined the business just over three months ago, Aaron sees continued growth, which he says is due to the way the group sees accounting differently to other firms.
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The faces behind Choice Group’s success
Emily Davey
Elizabeth Pottenger
Vicki Potocnik
Hollie Wood
As Choice Group’s front of house – client service officer, Emily carries out reception and administration duties. Emily provides general office support with a variety of clerical tasks. Having joined in November 2014, Emily believes that anyone who is anyone is going to want to work within Choice Group, saying that Choice Group is and will keep being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
Elizabeth is Choice Group’s front of house and trainee administration receptionist and is responsible for sending out letters to clients, answering phone calls, greeting clients in a good manner as well as administration duties and filing. Starting with the business in March this year, Elizabeth believes the business will succeed and build as the years go on, and sees it as a friendly environment that people will love to join.
Being the property investment manager for Choice Group, Vicki maintains the relationships with landlords’ investment properties of the businesses property management division, while taking care of the initial appraisal of the property through to management of client’s rental properties. Vicki joined Choice Group in 2012 and believes that the group will continue to change the way people think about property investment and the way that properties are managed.
As Choice Group’s property appraisal team member, Hollie also helps with inspections and open homes within the property management division. Starting with Choice Group in October 2016, Hollie would like to see the business reputation in the Goulburn Valley for offering excellent property management services that owners and tenants alike can rely on, all whilst maintaining a happy work life balance.
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DEVELOPING SUCCESS… From left, Developed Homes chief play maker, Jamie Cox, registered builder and construction manager, Mick Jeffery, new home coordinator, Elysia Fallon, builder, Heath Pell, team top dog, office commander, Darren Green and apprentice builder, Daniel Dohrman. Photo: Alicia Niglia
Working as a team to help develop your dream home
Developed Homes making investments work for you SITUATED in the inspirational and supportive creative space that is the Playlab, Developed Homes is the Choice Group’s brainchild, born from the obvious turn-key requirement of property investors to set and forget rental investments. Completing homes that fulfil all investment requirements, including providing long lasting quality that won’t keep hitting the hip pocket or asking for repairs, and from start to finish providing an energy efficient, property investment that will remain attractive well into the future. Developed Homes work to keep the big picture in mind, building investments that work for their clients as quickly and effectively as possible. Developed Home’s Inspire range is designed to inspire you into the property investment market with no hidden surprises. Fixed price, rent ready, managed investments. Check out Developed Homes’ brand new display at 83 Sanctuary Drive, Kialla Lakes. Talk to the team at Developed Homes today and start building a better life.
Elysia Fallon
Mick Jeffery
Heath Pell
Developed Homes’ new home coordinator, Elysia liaises with clients from the initial point of sale, throughout the building process and right through to completion of their new homes. Joining the new business in October 2016, Elysia’s vision for Developed Homes in the future, is to see it become a thriving, local volume building company that works with and supports local suppliers.
Joining Developed Homes in 2015, Mick is the registered builder, a director and construction manager. With over 20 years building experience Mick is at the heart of quality and design within the business. Mick oversees the day-to-day operations of the company to ensure its products are some of the best. Mick is looking forward to developing the range and continuing to provide the best possible homes for clients.
Heath joined Developed Homes in 2015 and is part of the building team; focusing on quality workmanship and assisting Mick with ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the businesses high standards. An integral part of the team, Heaths vision is to see more clients enjoying the difference a local builder with high standards and quality workmanship can attribute to building a better life for people.
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PlayLab-Developing authentic personal and business connections By Nicholise Garner I’D seen the ‘PlayLab’ from the street and thought it might be a recording studio. It’s modern, good looking and situated centrally in Shepparton. I was intrigued by the name … PlayLab. The mind boggles really, but within moments of visiting the space, it all became quite clear. This open, co-working space is naturally lit and adorned with slogans that support forward and creative thinking ideas, exploring concepts of play and how that relates to growth, development and reaching the highest of goals. Quite simply, it’s an incredibly motivational and inspirational workspace with 22 offices available for casual or regular rental. All modern conveniences, WiFi and printing included, this space offers more than a meeting point, it holds the opportunity for networking within a supportive community of skilled and talented people - an incubation centre. Sure to impress clients and to inspire excellent outputs, the workspace is affordable and with the Choice Group under the same roof, the natural flow on of connections both socially and in business is an added benefit. A space like this feeds the soul. With a billiard table, TV screens throughout, pinball parlour and a welcoming vibe, this is a
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A WELCOMING SPACE FOR CLIENTS… PlayLab innovator and co-creator Jamie Cox welcomes clients into his PlayLab office space. This is an example of the work stations available at PlayLab. Photo: Alicia Niglia
wonderfully productive workspace that recognises and meets the need for play in order to get the best out of people. PlayLab innovator, Jamie Cox said, “At PlayLab we’re building a community of innovators and ‘do-ers,’ that’s the kind of people we want to come in to work here. If you have those people in and around your workspace, it develops a positive and supportive community. “We are always building our community here and are constantly coming up with ways to inspire. Even just by providing an opportunity to share is a powerful tool in personal and business growth. All of our clients and anyone who is associated with PlayLab enjoys Friday night drinks here 4pm each week and there are always great opportunities for learning, networking and supporting others regardless of their industry. “The common thread is the want to achieve your best and understanding the importance of play in the process,” Jamie said.