Posted in Cover Story

Lee Woodward is the CEO and Creative Director of Australia's largest real estate training, events and systems company, Real Estate Academy. This story explores the evolution of Real Estate Academy and Lee's strategies for future-proofing the business and opening up the possibilities to take his products and services to a global audience. He commenced his real estate sales career in 1992 after completing a plumbing apprenticeship. Just 21 at the time, sales came naturally to him....

Craig Gibbens, James Gibbens & Samantha Swain Think of a steel fence surrounding anything from an airport to a new infrastructure project, bridge, farm or railway line and chances are it was manufactured right here on the Central Coast by the Protective Group. As a leading Australian manufacturer and supplier to the fencing and wire mesh markets in the Asia Pacific region, the Group, which today is led by fourth generation Gibbens family members, has thrived over the past 44 years in ...

When the last of the big 4 banks shut its doors in East Gosford twenty years ago, it left a vacuum in the close-knit community that seemed impossible to fill.Local consumers left in droves for Erina, putting enormous strain on the once thriving shopping strip.But all that changed when long-established local businessmen and members of the East Gosford Chamber of Commerce put their heads together after watching a story on A Current Affair about a Community Bank®Bendigo Bank, and were give...

Father and son team, Rob and Kevin Haines operate the family owned business, Haines Gas Services Pty Limited at Erina. Established on the Central Coast in 1977 and now in their 42nd year, the business has a very strong loyal client following, solid staff retention levels and the opportunity to expand nationally if they desire. This story explores the Haines Gas Services journey and highlights how strategic decision-making, including knowing when to say no, has helped this company earn ...

Committed to service excellence for more than 35 years They say moving house is one of life's most stressful events. Chris and Karen Coulson have built a successful furniture removal and storage company by turning this and other key pain points around to look after customers and their goods like no other. Right from the start, they have observed and listened to what customers want and, importantly, what they don't want, and evolved their business model to suit. As Karen said, &...