About Business August 2016

IN FOCUS

MILESTONES

PROPERTY STAGING

REAL ESTATE

COLLEEN ROSE AND CATHERINE LESCHKAU INTRODUCE US TO THEIR BUSINESSES

ANTIQUE AND FINE JEWELLERY RETAILER SUE GAYLARD SHARES HER LIFE CHANGING MOMENTS

MAKE YOUR HOME INVITING TO BUYERS FROM THE TIME THEY WALK THROUGH THE DOOR

INTRODUCING THE LATEST INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO YOUR PORTFOLIO

Belinda Kurtz The child inside The mastermind behind the world’s largest children’s interior design studio tells her story of success and shares some insider tips for decorating kids’ bedrooms

BLOKES ABOUT TOWN

PROPERTY ADVI CE, BUSINESS TIPS, AND MORE!

What is the secret to communicating within the workplace? And what effects has technology had in day-to-day dealings? Our Blokes About Town discuss

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE COASTʼS LEADING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE www.profilemag.com.au

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HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS There is some hard work and heavy lifting to do to make your business the well-oiled machine you want it to be. But the end result should be that you have much more money, and much more time to enjoy it.

By putting in the hard yards as a business owner early on, you will create a profitable business that, if you have staff, can continue to trade whether you are there or not. If you are a sole trader, it means having a business that you control rather than the other way around. In other words, you may get your life back.

If you are a current business owner, you are probably in one of these three positions.

You have a great business, and know you can do better and are looking for the tools and systems to take you to the next level.

You have a business that you know

can be great, and you are struggling, working long hours and have little time to yourself and you know there must be a better way, so you are searching for the answers.

You have a ‘wild lion’ chasing you on

a daily basis around ‘the cage’ that is your business and your whip and chair are on their last legs and you are desperately looking for a ‘lion tamer’ before you get eaten by it.

The most important lesson I learnt has been, if you want to run and expand a business, and stay sane, I needed to get and stay organised. I work on the CANII system – constant and never ending

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improvement and innovation. Upside, my businesses stays relevant and ahead of change, downside, you never really finish!

SEVEN COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY BUSINESS OWNERS They fail to create a structure for their business. Many business owners think, “I’m too small to worry about this”.

The result is that they never get to be a bigger business because they never create the right structure to grow from.

They fail to measure their marketing.

What’s working and what’s not working in your business, do you have measurement tools in place? Good business sense will tell you to do more of what’s working and less of what is not working.

They fail to communicate clear roles and responsibilities. In order to ensure the most efficient use of your money you must be clear that a) all the important processes are being held responsible to someone, and b) that you are not doubling up or duplicating responsibility. If you are, you are wasting resources (your money!)

They fail to document their systems and procedures. As your business grows, it will be much easier if new employees know exactly the correct way to go about doing their jobs. This will help you ensure nothing ‘slips through’

in terms of your product and service delivery or your finances.

They fail to plan for now and the future. If you don’t have a plan for your business to follow, it’s like driving somewhere new with no road map! A plan with objectives, goals and KPIs will show you how to get where you are going.

They fail to monitor and review their business. There is nothing more certain than change. Yet often a business will fail by not being able to ‘read the signs’ of change and then be able to adapt their business to take advantage of the change.

They fail to take action on what they learn. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”. Unless you take action and follow through on your plan, nothing will change.

WWW.CHRISCHILDS.COM.AU

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ROLE MODEL. MOTHER. PLUMBER. A girl grows up overseas, moving from country to country. Her dad, a British Soldier, works away for the vast majority of her infant life. Her mum keeps the family together with uncompromising dedication and commitment, playing both parenting roles. Her mum is her rock, her inspiration, and yet she shares a special bond with her dad – a best friend. She is who she is because of the love and support of her family and she is driven to cast her own shadow and determined to succeed and become a hero for her daughter.

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BUSINESS

d l i ch

THE

“T

INSIDE

his is where the magic happens,” laughs Belinda Kurtz, signalling to the end of the hallway.

I find myself standing in one of her daughters’ rooms, in what is the current headquarters for the now internationallysuccessful business Petite Interior Co. – the Kurtz family home.

I recognise the room immediately, as would any one of her 141,000 Instagram followers or nearly 37,000 Facebook ‘likers’, since it makes a regular appearance on her social media accounts. But that doesn’t stop me from feeling impressed and quite frankly, a little jealous of five-year-old Holly, who gets to inhabit this incredibly beautiful and fun room.

“Interiors is really only something I picked up once I had my girls,” explains Belinda.

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WORDS TAYLA ARTHUR PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

When mother-of-two Belinda Kurtz decided to back herself in a creative career change, she had no idea that her small idea was about to become bigger than Ben 10. Tayla Arthur sits down with the mastermind behind Petite Interior Co. to find out how it snowballed into an international success story.

“I was in corporate human resources for the Brisbane City Council before going on maternity leave, but when I wanted to dip my toes back into the workforce we had moved to the Sunshine Coast and I didn’t see a lot of options available for part-time employment. So I decided to find an outlet where I could indulge my creative side.”

While in the past she’d satisfied her creativity through smaller projects like painting, sewing and refurbishing tired furniture, this time around Belinda opted to give her daughters’ rooms a makeover, discovering a gift for interior design in the process.

“I liked the idea of the fun and whimsical style I could use for children’s rooms. I do residential and commercial interiors now as well, but starting with kids’ designs allowed me to be as creative as I possibly could be,” she explains.

“I’d created a pretty nice room, where the mix of vintage and modern style I used, seemed to align. But I was really struggling to find the things that I wanted, and that’s when the idea for Petite Interior Co. (formerly Petite Vintage Interiors) came about.

“I had something to offer in this space and decided to see how it would go, but it’s just gone crazy from there,” Belinda laughs, as if she can’t quite believe it herself.

‘Crazy’ is certainly an apt description of her seemingly overnight success; despite only launching in April of 2013, Petite Vintage Interiors has already had one project featured as one of House & Garden’s Top 50 rooms for 2014 and another shared to 1.4 million followers on Instagram by global children’s clothing giant, Kardashian Kids.

“My highlight has definitely been having profilemag.com.au

BUSINESS

BELINDA’S TOP TIPS FOR DECORATING CHILDREN’S BEDROOMS Scandinavian styling is big right now, so stick with neutral and sophisticated pieces for the room’s base, but keep it playful and lighthearted with fun artwork, cushions, throws and other items that can be easily swapped out.

Don’t take it too seriously – remember it’s a kids’ room that needs to be fun and functional.

Steer clear of being too matchy-matchy, as this can make a room seem one dimensional.

Let your child have some of their most treasured items on display, as it makes it more personalised. If you can’t tuck it away, make a feature out of it.

that House & Garden accolade,” say Belinda.

“It was the very first project I had ever done,” she shakes her head in disbelief and smiles at the memory.

“I was terrified. I’d worked online with clients but I hadn’t done a full beginning-toend interior, other than my own children’s rooms before that, so to get appreciation at that level for that project just … I felt unstoppable after that.”

After cultivating a mass following on social media by starting small and initially charging low prices for her styling services, in exchange for online promotion, Belinda now heads the world’s largest children’s interior design studio, with clients seeking her services from as far afield as the United States, United Kingdom, South America and even the Middle East.

BELINDA KURTZ

“I do most of my work with overseas clients through our e-design service, but I’ve been flown to Saudi Arabia to work on a huge, nine-by-nine metre kids’ playroom and have worked for the royal family in Abu Dhabi,” says Belinda.

“Everyone’s looking to Australia for kids’ interiors – it’s quite incredible. We’re creating some of the most on-trend, cool things for kids here.”

“Everyone’s looking to Australia for kids’ interiors – it’s quite INCREDIBLE. We’re creating some of the most ON-TREND, cool things for kids here.”

Belinda tells me of one happy client overseas, who is looking to expand Belinda’s brand even further with a store selling items based on her room designs.

“Why do you think I look so tired?!” she laughs.

With such a huge amount of growth, Belinda has understandably had to surround herself with a supportive team, and now has an assistant and four talented graphic and interior designers from around the country behind her.

Her husband, Dean, is also set to join her.

“Dean has always been my biggest fan, and the biggest sense of achievement I have is that this little side business has grown to become our family business now,” says Belinda.

august 2016

“I never had provisions put in place for this growth. We’ve taken on every opportunity as it’s come in and just ran with it, and I’ve grown as a businesswoman along with it.

“I could never have dreamt that Petite Interior Co. would become what it is today.

People say to me, ‘You don’t really sound that excited about it’. But I am – I just can’t quite get my head around it. It’s been a rollercoaster and I pinch myself often.”

The ride’s been far from easy though.

“When you’re trying to break into an industry, social media is a double-edged sword. I didn’t expect to face so much adversity in those early months. Competitors were telling suppliers not to talk to me. Then just managing the juggle between having a young family and a thriving business with a huge social media base and feeling like you’re doing both well was so hard. I don’t think anyone’s lives are really balanced when they have their own business,” Belinda says.

“I’m very lucky that my support network knows that this is where my focus needs to be. My husband, my friends and my family are all very respectful and they don’t give me a hard time if they don’t see me for a while; they just know I’ve been busy.”

With an expansion on the cards and so many aspects to her business – from physical interior design installations and 3D e-design services, to social media promotion for suppliers and of course her own business – Belinda is only going to get busier. But with such a fierce passion for everything she does, whether she’s hard at work or relaxing with Dean and daughters Holly and Asher, she’ll always be at home. profilemagazine

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IN FOCUS WORDS TAYLA ARTHUR

Colleen Rose Lucy and Loo

F

or Colleen Rose, fashion runs in her blood. Her mother and her aunt had a flair for it, with both of them skilled dressmakers with a knack for creating beautiful pieces.

As a result, Colleen recognises quality fabrics and clever clothing designs when she sees them, and it is this that drew her to buy online clothing store, Lucy and Loo, in October, 2015.

“I’ve been in the retail industry for years – back in Ireland I worked at Topshop for quite a while. It was what I was doing just before Lucy and Loo that was actually out of place!” she laughs, explaining her role in managing several hotels in the outback – a job she had left her home on the Sunshine Coast for.

“I missed my family so I decided it was time to come home.

Lucy and Loo came up for sale and I was looking for a career change so I decided to jump on the opportunity and give it a go.”

It was the versatile design of Lucy and Loo’s convertible dresses, along with the quality of their fabric, that convinced Colleen the business would be a winner. Suited to all body shapes and stocked in 26 different colours, Colleen says her dresses are most popular for bridesmaids, as they can offer the same dress in a style that can be tailored to any individual. But as she explains, their versatility means they can be used for much more.

“They’re the perfect maternity dress,” says Colleen. “They’re not overpriced and you get great wear out of them since it’s like a new dress every time.”

Colleen has grown the Lucy and Loo convertible dress into one of the most sought after items in Australian wardrobes, and having just released the new Celtic Collection range of colours, she’s showing no signs of slowing down.

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Catherine Leschkau Driftwood Events

F

or many parents, planning a children’s birthday party is the stuff of nightmares. In fact, when it comes to events in general, just the thought can send even the most organised into a meltdown.

But for Catherine Leschkau, there is no greater joy than seeing her handiwork take shape.

Having become the go-to-girl among her family and friends for event planning, after organising her sister’s wedding, Catherine had her lightbulb moment while admiring her handiwork at another relative’s birthday party, deciding to quit her job as a project manager in the mining industry to start her own business, Driftwood Events, in August last year.

Discovering there was a gap for local children’s party planners, Catherine undertook her own study online and opened Driftwood Events for business, organising everything from baby showers and birthdays to weddings, anniversaries and beyond.

“I know planning events can be really stressful, so my goal is to take the stress out of the event,” explains Catherine.

“We’re a society that loves to celebrate milestones. We don’t recall weeks when we’re looking back on our lives – we just remember the big moments. I feel like I’m helping to make those memories happier.”

In addition to putting smiles on others’ faces, Catherine says the most rewarding part of her endeavour has been her involvement with the community.

“I am so appreciative of the Sunshine Coast community. From the minute I started the concept to where I am today, everyone has been so supportive. It’s not just the clients; it’s beautiful to experience how businesses support each other too.”

Catherine says she is in her element now, her only regret that she didn’t make the leap sooner.

“If you want to make a living out of what you love, do it! Life’s too short not to.”

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BUSINESS

BLOKEtS

Abou

TOWN

WORKPLACE communication WORDS NICOLE FUGE PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE CORBINS, MAROOCHYDORE

E

It’s impossible to run a successful venture without having good communication. Whether it be with your employees, your colleagues, your customers/clients or other people you come into contact with when running your business, communication is king.

mails, phone calls, video conferences or good old fashioned face-to-face contact – there are endless tools of communication in the workplace, each with their upsides and pitfalls. So I caught up with the Blokes About Town to put our communication skills to the test to find out which strategies work best within their team environment and what role technology has played in their workplace.

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Joining me for lunch at Corbins in Maroochydore was Jack Hockley from L&M Goldstar, Patrick Walsh from What The Fox Creative, and Philip Van Der Walt and Craig Levitt from Think Money. profile: How would you describe good workplace communication? jack: I’d describe it as open and honest. One of my biggest frustrations is unclear and misleading communication in the workplace.

philip: I’d say constant communication as well, rather than big spaces in between, because people start losing (interest in) the situation when they’re not involved in the conversation. patrick: Bringing up stuff before it’s an issue, as soon as it starts and you think it might turn into something, talk about it then. philip: That’s a big part of project management as well – taking all issues into consideration and making sure you discuss all of the options, all of the ways it could go.

profilemag.com.au

patrick: And being able to flag those things before they happen. craig: It’s interesting when you think about communication, how you often think about the downside as opposed to the upside, and I suppose I look at it from the other side.

The more communication with the team or staff about the business, the better buy-in they tend to have, which means they’re more committed and feel more part of a team. profile: What are the most important things a manager should implement in a workplace to ensure good communication? patrick: I’d say relationships – people knowing they can tell you things and approach you about things. Having managers that, if you’re worried if you tell them about a situation you’ll get in trouble or you’ll be reprimanded, to me is not a good thing, so having some level of relationship with the people you’re managing so they know they can talk to you. jack: A big part of my communication is technology. Being a remote arm from a head office, using Skype meetings, email, telephones, instant messaging – that’s a massive part of communication for me. patrick: Modelling the behaviours you want people to use. If you want them to communicate with you in a certain way, communicate with them in that way.

JACK HOCKLEY

“BODY LANGUAGE and TONE of voice are such a crucial part of communication, you just CAN’T get that from email or instant messaging.”

– JACK HOCKLEY

profile: The introduction of emails, social media and technology has meant we’ve needed to communicate less in person, but how important is face-to-face interaction? jack: Immensely. Speaking from a remote operator point of view, getting to head office and having that one-on-one time with individual people is really crucial. craig: I think technology has made it too easy to not communicate personally; that’s one of the big challenges. Often it’s a short cut and I think it’s much more valuable having a real conversation, rather than just communicating electronically.

CRAIG LEVITT

HOW TO COMMUNICATE IN THE WORKPLACE OPEN MEETING: In this kind of forum, your team will not only hear what you are saying, they will also see and feel it.

ONE-ON-ONE: Some people understand better when you take them aside and talk to them on a one-onone basis. Ensure that you maintain eye contact with them to enable the message to sink in.

DISPLAY CONFIDENCE AND SERIOUSNESS: When your team members notice any uncertainty and lack of seriousness when you’re communicating with them, they are likely to treat the information with disdain or disregard.

LISTEN TO YOUR TEAM MEMBERS: Communication is intended to be a two-way street. Don’t just talk because you are the leader, without listening to anyone else.

USE BODY LANGUAGE: Your body language will pass your message faster and better. Master the art of using body language when communicating with your team. Stand/sit up straight, smile, handshake and make eye contact.

ENCOURAGE FEEDBACK: Don’t just talk and walk away. Give room for feedback so that you can measure the effectiveness of your style of communication. It will also afford you the privilege of knowing if your message was well understood.

Sourced from: www.smallbiztrends.com

august 2016

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PATRICK WALSH

BUSINESS

PHILIP VAN DER WALT

jack: Body language and tone of voice are such a crucial part of communication, you just can’t get that from email or instant messaging. craig: That’s the downside (to technology), there’s often been many emails read the wrong way! patrick: I think there’s an illusion of it being a time saver. It’s the same as text messages – I’ve experienced it personally where I’m texting with somebody and if I had called them five minutes earlier it would have been resolved. It’s the same with emails in the workplace, just get up and walk to their desk and have a three-minute conversation and you’ll answer all of your questions, that would otherwise take 50 emails. craig: One of the things I’ve learnt as a manager is that people just want time. It’s a bit like being a parent – kids want time with you, staff want time with you, and that just shows you care. I used to be in a bad habit where a staff member would walk into my office and the phone would ring and I’d pick up the phone.

Or the email pings and you’re distracted. That sends a really bad signal to that person; it says that’s more important than them.

So face-to-face time is really valuable because we all seek that self validation and you don’t get that electronically.

CORBINS, MAROOCHYDORE Located in the heart of Maroochydore’s foodie precinct, Corbins has grown to become a popular destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up Asian-inspired food, cocktails, beer and wine.

Having eaten at Corbins on numerous occasions, I knew we were in for a delicious treat for lunch and the decision to order share plate style was a winner – allowing everyone to sample a wide range of dishes from the menu, rather than being limited to one main dish (and running the risk of having food envy!).

We indulged in a selection of Corbins’ popular bar snacks and small plates, including cuttlefish popcorn with miso and lime; fried chicken bao with pickled cabbage and sriracha; mini pork banh mi; prawn, mandarin and chilli on betel leaf; Tasmanian salmon sashimi with chilli and soy ponzu; ‘son-in-law eggs’ with chilli jam; sweet potato noodle balls with black vinegar caramel and szechuan; and braised beef intercostals with red nahm jim and coriander.

The most popular meal was definitely the braised beef, with its soft and succulent flesh melting in the mouth, perfectly complemented by the robust flavour of the red nahm jim – chopstick-licking fun all ‘round.

But every dish was a heavenly hit and there was nothing left but empty plates and full bellies.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to brunch with your significant other, a long lunch with colleagues, or a cheeky drink and nibble with your nearest and dearest, Corbins is serving up the goods.

34 DUPORTH AVENUE, MAROOCHYDORE PHONE: 5326 1022 WWW.CORBINS.COM.AU

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WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AS AN EXECUTOR OF A WILL? PIPPA COLMAN | PIPPA COLMAN & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS

A

greeing to be an Executor of someone’s Will is usually taken with very little thought as to ‘What have I actually agreed to do?’ Being an Executor is a very important role in making sure that you carry out all the terms of the Will. But it can also be very complex and very time consuming.

And you only have 12 months to ensure beneficiaries receive their distribution.

Here are some of the jobs an Executor will need to carry out:

• Finalise Centrelink/DVA pension entitlements.

• Read the last Will of the deceased and advise the beneficiaries of their entitlements. You will also need to provide them with a copy of the Will, meet with them and potentially resolve any disputes between beneficiaries. You will also need to keep beneficiaries updated on the progress of administering the estate.

• Pay any debts including funeral/ cremation costs.

• Lawfully dispose of the body, which may include arranging a funeral/cremation and placing a notice in the newspaper.

• Arrange care of the deceased’s pets.

• Obtain the deceased’s death certificate.

• Inspect properties, organise changing of locks, liaise with insurers and if necessary, find certificates of title.

• Advise banks and obtain bank account balances.

• Finalise accounts for telephone, electricity, gas and any other utilities (internet, cable television, etc) • Advertise for creditors of the estate.

• Inform Medicare and obtain refund of contributions to medical insurance funds. august 2016

• Conduct a search of Australian share registries to ascertain if any shares are owned by the deceased.

• Apply for and obtain a Grant of Probate.

• Access money from their bank account and open both an operating and an interest bearing account in the name of the estate.

• File income tax returns up to the date of death.

• Sell real estate and other assets not being provided to a beneficiary.

• In a worst case scenario, you may also need to prepare and prosecute a legal defence against any claims on the estate.

Also when dealing with beneficiaries who are under 18 years of age or are incapable, then Executors will need to establish a Trust to manage their inheritance.

This list is not exhaustive, but does give a realistic range of the types of activities involved in being an Executor. Consider how difficult achieving all of this would be for someone who does not have everything organised and you have to start from a low base of not having much information.

We would encourage Executors to engage a solicitor if the estate is complex or if they are not sure about what they need to do to talk to a solicitor who can guide them through the process of administering a Will.

Sunshine Coast Family Law Solicitors DIVORCE & SEPARATION PROPERTY SETTLEMENT CHILDREN & PARENTING RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WILLS & ESTATES

working together P. 07 5458 9000 E. reception@pippacolman.com A. 12/64 Sugar Road, Maroochydore W. www.pippacolman.com profilemagazine

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MILESTONES

FINDING A

new avenue WORDS TAYLA ARTHUR PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

For Sue Gaylard, love is the force that drives her. It was a love of antiques and the stories behind them that saw her build a successful 20-year career in the industry. It was the love for the Sunshine Coast that saw her return after spending 15 years in Brisbane. And it was love that drove her to take a leap of faith and open a business selling both stylish modern clothing and stunning antique and fine jewellery in April last year.

H

aving spent 15 years as the manager of a well-known antique store in the Brisbane Arcade, Sue has built a reputation for her extensive knowledge and exquisite selection of antique jewellery and it is for this reason that her return to the industry with Avenue J, located in the Zanzibar Resort complex on the Mooloolaba Esplanade, is a milestone truly worth celebrating.

LIFE CHANGING MILESTONES

1

FLYING THE NEST, 1985

The first milestone in my life was when at 18, I left home from country Victoria to work as a governess on a cattle station in the outback – north of Alice Springs – leaving my family, mum, dad, sister and brothers.

My job was to look after and educate the owners’ son on School of the Air, cook for the family and work in the general store.

This was a big move for a country girl.

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SUE GAYLARD

“I love the PIECES and the stories they tell, but more so I love the interaction they create with PEOPLE.”

2

MOVING TO QUEENSLAND, 1990

I moved to the Sunshine Coast more than 25 years ago following the beautiful warm weather. After working for a few years on the Coast, I then moved to Brisbane as I had an opportunity to work in jewellery retail, which then led me into the Brisbane Arcade specialising in both antique and modern jewellery.

3

DISCOVERING MY PASSION, 1999

Having spent many happy school holidays at my grandparents’ farm, which had been in the family for 200 years, I was surrounded by antiques and had the love and appreciation instilled in me by my mother and grandmother. When I commenced working at Kellies Antiques in Brisbane Arcade I realised my passion for antique jewellery. I love the pieces and the stories they tell, but more so I love the interaction they create with people.

4

OPENING AVENUE J, 2015

Avenue J was launched in April 2015.

I really wanted to do something special in Mooloolaba. With my love and expertise for antique jewellery and desire to provide a large range of quality fashion, I decided to combine both passions to make Avenue J one of the most interesting combinations on the Coast. Giving the total experience of fabulous local and international fashion, perfectly complemented with beautiful unique antique and modern jewellery.

“Avenue J was launched in April 2015. I really wanted to do something SPECIAL in Mooloolaba.”

5

THE PLEASURE OF BUYING, NOW

It’s hard to explain how much fun I have sourcing exquisite pieces of jewellery and clothing from all over the world and the delight it is in telling the stories and the history associated with every unique piece of antique jewellery that finds its place in Avenue J. profilemag.com.au

We’ve all seen those so-called overnight successes; the latest star on a reality singing TV show, the millionaire whose rise to the top appeared at warp speed or the friend whose property portfolio has them retiring from their day job at 40.

T

heir success might look like it just happened but in truth, years of hard work and planning goes into everything before it becomes a reality.

Luxe Commercial managing director Chris Sales knows too well the dedication and hard work required to accomplish a goal – whether it’s a career, property portfolio or saving for your first home.

“I started in small business when I finished high school, I was still a teenager, and have been through several highs and lows as well as careers, before the timing was right to open Luxe Commercial,” he says.

“Similarly I bought my first home in my early 20s and lived in it before I could afford to renovate. Along the way I learnt a lot of lessons and have slowly and cautiously built from there.

Everything takes time and patience and overnight successes simply do not exist whether it’s business, entertainment, finance or property.”

The 30-year-old says investing in commercial property requires the same hard work, patience and long-term view.

He says careful research into locations, supply and yields are a necessity before taking the plunge.

“Commercial property is a long-term proposition and can be a great addition to any diversified investment portfolio,” Chris says.

“It’s an industry that flourishes on the back of a strong economy and tenancies can be long-term given they often have capital investment in the tenancy.

“However good advice, research and patience are all required before you can create the perfect nest-egg that will grow over time.”

Luxe Commercial is the Sunshine Coast’s leading boutique commercial property agency covering Caloundra to Noosa Heads. Chris and his team are available at any time to discuss sales, leasing and property management.

WWW.LUXECOMMERCIAL.COM.AU • 07 5493 6652

PROFILE

HOME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY

VICKI’S PROPERTY POST

It’s that time of year.

A

round this time every year, activity in the real estate business tends to slow down. Whether this is because of the end of the financial year or the winter season, no one seems to know.

This year we also had the election to add to people’s sense of caution and uncertainty. One interesting aspect of this lull is that it usually has a much greater effect on sellers than on buyers. So we end up with lots of people looking, but with not too much to look at.

As in any market situation however, there are winners and losers. And in this case the beneficiaries of this imbalance are those smart property owners who don’t believe it’s best to wait until spring, but take advantage of the fact that they have a product for which there is lots of demand and very little supply.

Recently we’ve seen some surprisingly good prices for properties that perhaps weren’t all that special.

So as the old saying has it, maybe when everyone else zigs… it really is time to zag.

The team at Star specialises in property sales from Noosa to Mount Coolum.

Vicki Cooper is Principal of Star Noosa call 0418 231 955.

www.starnoosa.com

REAL ESTATE

Come on in WORDS SUE GODFREY, THE ART OF PROPERTY STAGING

How often have we driven up to a house for sale, liked what we saw from the outside and then entered the house – only to have all of those positive vibes disappear.

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f you have no defined entry to your home and enter straight into the living room with chairs and lounges blocking your line of sight, everything starts to feel crowded and small.

An entry is all about expectations to what lies beyond, it is the buyer’s first impression of the inside of the home. You need to connect with the buyers to get that, “Welcome, come on in”, feeling.

Most buyers connect with a property in the first 60 seconds. You need to grab their attention, make them get that emotional feeling and want to see more.

If your entry is lacking, then the sales pitch becomes harder to overcome the first impression. You have already lost that, ‘I love it, I must have this house’, feeling.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES Often your floor plan will govern what restrictions you may have in changing this area, but things can be done. Remember you are selling and it is the visual appeal to the buyer, not necessarily how you are living in this space. First of all try and remove some of your furniture items from the living area, then place the furniture pieces e.g. lounge, chairs 58

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A small table and a mirror or piece of art help to dress an entry and attract buyers

away from the entry, further into the living area. Try and have a sight line from the front door to further into the room. Where possible move your furniture away from the walls.

“Most buyers connect with a property in the first 60 SECONDS. You need to grab their attention, make them get that EMOTIONAL feeling and want to see more.”

CREATE A ROOM WITHIN A ROOM This will make the area appear larger. Place a rug under your lounge, chairs to centre the furniture to give a room inside a room feel.

Visually this gives the room a feeling of more space. Move this area as far away as possible from the front door.

Now hopefully you have been able to create a vacant area near the wall from the front door, so when the buyers enter they feel this is an entry, not a living area.

DRESS TO IMPRESS Now you need to dress this area to add to that feeling for the buyers. You may consider changing the swing of the door from left to right so you can achieve this. Try and fit a small table or bench on the wall, a mirror or a piece of art, perhaps a pot plant and a few accessories. This will attract the buyer and give the impression of an actual entry, before they step into the living area. If the room does not permit this, then put a nice pot plant in a container just inside the door, with a runner rug to give the illusion of a hallway.

Remember it only takes 60 seconds to connect with your buyers! profilemag.com.au

Paul and Julie Anderson have been Coast locals for over 30 years.

They pride themselves on achieving outstanding results for all their clients through collaborative negotiation skills and providing exceptional customer service.

Paul and Julie are supported by a team of property experts at Aspire Estate Agents. So, for knowledgeable market advice and a professional, well balanced approach to real esate, call Paul or Julie for a smooth real estate transaction.

The making of MAROOCHYDORE

Maroochydore is fast-tracked to become a business, community and employment hub, renewing the region by supporting economic development, providing much needed infrastructure and creating a new central business district for the Coast.

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he Maroochydore City Centre represents a rare opportunity to establish a new capital city for the Sunshine Coast.

The Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area (PDA) will be the business, community services and employment focus for the region, with a diverse range of medium and high density housing and an efficient and effective multimodal public transport system.

THE VISION:

• a city heart in Maroochydore • fully approved and serviced land for commercial, retail, residential, civic, cultural and community uses

august 2016

• publically accessible waterways • rail-based public transport via CAMCOS and possibly future light rail • a multi-modal public transport system • a new road network to provide additional capacity to the existing road network within Maroochydore • interconnected public open space • a central Sunshine Coast location for regional arts and entertainment.

The PDA is around 60 hectares, covering Sunshine Coast Council-owned land including the Horton Park Golf Club site and State Government-owned land in Dalton Drive, Maroochydore.

SUBURB PROFILE Population: 4496 Predominant age group: 25-34 years MEDIAN PRICE To buy a house: $537,500 To rent a house: $450 per week To buy a unit: $355,000 To rent a unit: $350 per week HOUSEHOLD STRUCTURE Childless couples: 35.4% Lone households: 20.4% Couples with children: 19.7% Single parents: 8.4% Group households: 8.2% Other: 7.8% HOUSEHOLD OCCUPANCY Renting: 44.6% Owns outright: 31.6% Purchaser: 19% Other: 4.7% Information sourced from: www.realestate.com.au and RP Data

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PROFILE

KEEPING HOUSE WORDS WARREN TEGG, BENNETT CARROLL SOLICITORS

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wning your own home traditionally provided stability for the family as well as an investment. I would suggest that concept of stability is something that adults in their 30s and 40s perhaps learned from their baby boomer parents. I often have separated parents say to me it’s important to keep the home because it has been the place where the children grew up. I get this from both sides of the separation. It’s a learned belief and I wonder how true that is for the children?

What we know about children of all ages facing the separation of their parents is that for them the best and in some cases only real definition of ‘Home’ is a place where they live with both of their parents. However, there are obvious exceptions to the rule, such as a home affected by family violence.

The question about the importance of the house for the children usually arises between two partners who have managed to keep their issues separate from the children’s welfare. These parents want the best for their children but know they cannot continue to live together.

Retaining the house that the children have been living in is an admirable goal but is it really necessary?

I would say not, if for instance: • it ties up the capital of the parents for a lengthy period of time; • costs one or both parents more than they can really afford; • keeps the parents in the same property because they can’t afford to live apart; • restrains either or both parents from getting on with their lives If the children know that both their parents love them and make decisions jointly that are child-focused, then where the children actually live does not matter. I would suggest a home is any environment in which children are loved and cared for.

The building is only the vessel for that; it does not create that environment.

So if it is a financial burden to retain a particular property after a separation, trying to do so for the children may in fact add to the stress rather than relieve it.

WARREN TEGG BENNETT CARROLL SOLICITORS

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1300 334 566 • info@bcglaw.com.au

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Chermside

live or invest exclusive group of five quality apartments, just 9km from brisbane city.

For your free information pack CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

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Chermside 10 minutes from the cbd habitat is located 9km north of brisbane in the lively suburb of chermside, one of Queensland’s leading retail precincts, major employment nodes and recently announced “Principle Activity centre” under the Government’s initiative for planning future city hubs. this makes chermside a highly sought-after location for professionals aged between 20 and 40 seeking high quality living near thriving work opportunities. in the last three years, chermside has experienced higher than average growth, and with a significantly cheaper property price point than neighbouring suburbs, it is the prime location to invest.

noW selling Don’t miss this opportunity

it’s exclusive Habitat Chermside is made up of just five quality apartments, boasting exclusivity for owners and tenants.

emPloyment At your door currently more people work in chermside than reside there, prompting an urgent need to provide quality living near employment opportunities. chermside has become a highly sought after vocational hub attracting young adults seeking to rent close to amenities and job opportunities in the health, retail and government department sectors.

For your Free inFormAtion pACk CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

exclusive group of five quality apartments

mAjor emPloyment node ChERmSIDE

By Terry ryder, director, hotspotting.com.au

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WIThIN a 10km RaDIUS YOU haVE Parkland convenience store bus service

50m 50m 120m

bikeway

190m

Westfield Chermside

1.6km

train

1.8km

brisbane cbd hospital international & domestic Airport

9km 3.2kms 10.5kms

it’s centrAl you will not need to venture very far, as everything you need is right on your doorstep – there are nine education facilities within 2km, it’s close to downfall creek which has over 20kms of bike and walking paths, leading health facilities and main arterials are just minutes away, and Queensland’s largest shopping centre, Westfield Chermside is only 1.6km down the road.

hotspotting

report: hermside has long been renowned for its Westfield Chermside shopping centre, the ChERmSIDE largest shopping centre in Queensland. The centre boasts Myer, David Jones, Kmart, Target, Big W and Coles. It also has a 16-screen cinema complex, a bowling alley and Chermside bus station, a major transport hub for the north of Brisbane.

Westfield Chermside is not only a leading retail precinct but also one of many major employment nodes in the area, which is one of the strongest appeals of the local property market.

Chermside is located 13km north of the Brisbane CBD and 9km from Brisbane International Airport. The suburb is bisected by Gympie Road, the main north–south arterial road leading from the inner suburbs and connecting to the Bruce Highway, leading to the Sunshine Coast.

Chermside is also handy to the Port of Brisbane and the Australia TradeCoast industrial precinct.

Brisbane Airport Corporation is spending $3.8 billion on infrastructure in the next 10 years while the Port of Brisbane, the nation’s third busiest port, is spending $150 million on improvements.

Businesses within the Australia TradeCoast region currently employ 60,000 and the region is forecast to employ 110,000 people by 2026.

Medical facilities are also large employers with the Prince Charles Hospital, a 630-bed facility which employs 3,500 staff, and the Holy Spirit Northside Private Hospital located in Chermside.

There are also government offices such as the Australian Tax Office and the Department of Corrective Services, while the Australian Catholic University is less than 10km away in Nudgee.

Nearby are the entertainment amenities of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, a venue capable of seating up to 14,500 for sports events and concerts, as well as Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses.

The population of Chermside is 10,000, with a significantly higher-than-average number of people aged between 20 and 40; and a lower-than-average number of children under 19.

Residents of Chermside are most likely to work as professionals (25%), in administration (16%) or as a technician or trade worker (12%).

Properties in Chermside comprise 36% separate houses, 23% semi-detached or townhouses and 41% units. In the last 12 months, only seven new houses were approved compared to 568 units.

The majority (79%) of Chermside properties have two or three bedrooms while 58% are rented. Only 18% of Chermside properties are owned outright.

The median house price for Chermside is $510,000, considerably cheaper than the neighbouring suburb of Wavell Heights where the median house price is $610,000. The long-term growth rate (the average annual rise in the median house price in the past 10 years) is 5% per year – although in the past three years the growth rate has been higher at 6% per year.

For your Free inFormAtion pACk CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

live or invest • just 5 quality apartments • low body corporate • Quality inclusions and finishes • 100% owner and tenant ready inclusions • Generous ceilings • ducted air conditioning • stone kitchen bench tops • stainless kitchen appliances • stainless dishwasher • overhead kitchen cupboards • stone bathroom bench tops • robes with built-in shelving • security screens throughout • Off street secure covered parking

resiDential location aDjacent chermsiDe hub

pa r k l

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WestfielD

hospital eDucational facilities cbD 9km

For your free information pack CALL 07 5451 1080 www.thinkinvestmentrealty.com.au

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