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Service NSW Business Connect Program

Free, independent, tailored business advice

Service NSW Business Connect provides free, independent, tailored business advice from experienced advisors in one‑on‑one sessions. We offer practical insights and business skills development. Services also include events and resources on a range of topics for small businesses.

Working with a Business Advisor assists small business owners to navigate challenges, and make the right decisions and strategic plans to ultimately, do business better. This service is delivered in a one-to-one format, between a qualified Business Advisor and a small business owner. The sessions are either held online or in person across Sydney.

After working with a Business Advisor, you will have gained clarity and confidence on how to move forward with your business and a feeling of being in control of your business and your life.

Business Advice Sessions are funded by the Service NSW Business Connect program. Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help small businesses to start, run, grow and adapt.

Realise Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small businesses across Northern, Eastern, Southern and Central Sydney, as part of the Service NSW Business Connect program.

Realise Business is an approved independent provider for Service NSW Business Connect.

If you would like to register for one of our FREE Business events, see details here.

Eligible NSW businesses and those looking to start a business in NSW can access Business Connect services FREE of charge including advisory sessions and events. Customers receiving support will typically access up to 8 hours of support per financial year, including business advice sessions and events.

– Strategies to start, build and grow your business

– Developing a business or recovery plan

– Marketing to reach new customers

– Implementing digital tools such as e-commerce

– Managing cash flow and accessing finance

– Objective advice on your business – Step-by-step instructions to overcome problems

– Managing change

– Innovating

– Connecting to other support including government programs and professional services

Eligible NSW businesses and those aspiring to start a business in NSW can avail themselves of Business Connect services at no cost, which includes advisory sessions and events. Customers receiving support will typically have access to up to 8 hours of assistance per financial year, encompassing business advice sessions and events.

This service is available to small business owners in Sydney and across NSW, for those who are looking to start a business or who already have one.

Service NSW Business Connect supports NSW businesses as they navigate the challenges of starting, running, adapting and growing their business. Personalised advice and practical information can be provided on a range of business topics to help you achieve business success.

Service NSW Business Connect

Approved Provider

Realise Business is Not-for-Profit, and funded by all levels of Government, which means you can get advice from our highly experienced business advisors for a fraction of the cost of private business coaching. Realise Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small businesses across Sydney as part of the Service NSW Business Connect program.

Service NSW Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business Find out more.

Meet our Business Connect Advisors

Our Business Connect Advisors harness their experience from a diverse range of industry backgrounds to offer business advice specific to your circumstances. They are accredited professionals with first-hand experience running their own small business.

With over 20 Business Advisors part of the Realise Business team, we have expertise in nearly every industry. As part of the Service NSW Business Connect Program, you can also meet and work with several different Advisors, to work through different areas and specialist areas of your business.

Expert Advisors

Our team of highly experienced advisors have the hands-on business skills and knowledge to help your business overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Adam Hetherington
Business Connect Advisors

Adam has a wealth of experience buying and selling businesses nationally and internationally and has a passion for advising. Begining his career in sales, marketing and multi-site management, he moved into small business as a Franchisee and Franchisor in Australia, New Zealand and China. During that time he built expertise in start up planning, franchising, commercial leasing, P&L Management and exit planning.

Amanda Warrington
Business Connect Advisors | Mastermind Facilitator

Amanda has owned and sold a variety of businesses over the last 20 years, and recognises from a business owner’s perspective, the value of tailored business advice and support. Amanda is incredibly passionate about working with entrepreneurs and business owners to help them achieve their goals and develop plans to take their business to the next level.

Anastasia Karakominakis
Business Connect Advisors | Access to Finance Specialists

Currently owns and operates her own business in the finance sector and has built a portfolio in which she has thousands of clients, offering over 15 years of experience and well developed industry knowledge with expertise in negotiation and financial data analysis. She has access to a wide range of financial products and services and an understanding of policies providing her with the ability to find a solution and systems.

Cathy Dimarchos
Business Connect Advisors | Access to Finance Specialists

In her three decades in finance and scaling businesses as well being a qualified Counsellor, to sharing knowledge that combines people, business, and situational skills to create impact and influence. She is committed to equipping people in Financial Literacy with a focus on Women and the future generation.

Chris Cassar
Business Connect Advisors

Chris has a wealth of business management experience in both the corporate and small business markets, and has run his own business and marketing consulting practice specialising in small business. Over the last 15 years Chris has helped small businesses in a wide range of industries including IT, Medical Services, Legal service, Tourism, Building and Construction, Allied Health Services, Retail, Fashion and Entertainment.

Christopher Wilborn
Business Connect Advisors | Digital Transformation Expert

Chris is a results-driven leader with a wealth of knowledge derived from his more than two decades in the NGO, corporate and government sectors. As a current business owner, from his prior work as a growth-minded CEO and a background working with disability organisations, Chris is deeply passionate about the NDIS, small business community and the central role they play in the fabric of our society.

Densie Archie
Business Connect Advisors

A Facilitator, Executive Coach, Speaker, Author and Educator with a deep commitment and passion for learning. She began her career as a Primary teacher, then High School where her entrepreneurial flair took hold. She developed the concept of School Based Traineeship and moved into Vocational Education and Training.

Geoff Silk
Business Connect Advisors | Mastermind Facilitator

Geoff is a businessman and coach who provides business advice based on many years of experience working with new, developing and established businesses. He interacts diligently with business owners selling products and/or services, to achieve their aspirations and goals. His pragmatic approach has helped hundreds of businesses to flourish and perform successfully. Geoff is also a faciliator of a Realise Business Mastermind group.

Judy Hendricks
Business Connect Advisors | Access to Finance Specialists

In her 21 years of business banking and retail banking experience, Judy has managed relationship portfolios with tens of thousands of customers across a range of industries such as import and export, wholesale and retail, aged care and health care, professional services, tourism, transportation, manufacture, pharmaceuticals, property construction, development and investment.

Megan Hauptfleisch
Business Connect Advisors | Digital Expert

Highly strategic, commercially savvy, and results-focused, Megan has 30 years of marketing management and business experience. As a business advisor and consultant Megan has helped hundreds of businesses from across a diverse range of industry sectors.
Megan is known for turning “vision into action” with innovative plans and tactics that drive sustainable commercial results.

Patch Clunes
Business Connect Advisors

Patch is a Coach and Consultant, passionate about educating and empowering business owners and leaders to build successful businesses as she believes that great businesses have a positive impact on our communities and society. As a coach, Patch spends all of her time helping business owners learn how to run their businesses, build healthy teams, drive growth, and most importantly – live a balanced life.

Sara Berry
Business Connect Advisors | Digital Expert

Sara is a creative marketing and advertising professional with over 20 years of experience. She is passionate about helping businesses connect with their customers through meaningful and impactful marketing campaigns.
Sara began her career in London, where she was mentored by some of the original admen. She quickly learned the importance of creativity, strategy, and execution in marketing.

Sue Walsh
Business Connect Advisors | Digital Expert

Sue is an experienced marketer with over 20 years' experience across marketing strategy and execution, agency leadership and business development.

She had the privilege of working with some major marketing agencies in London to start her marketing career, delivering strong consumer and business campaigns across multiple channels and after working in the industry in London for 5+ years, she made the move to Sydney.

Syane Macedo
Business Connect Advisors

Syane brings more than 16 years’ experience in retail management and business administration. In the last few years, Syane has focussed on building her expertise in marketing strategy, graphic design and social media management; utilising these as powerful sales and business expansion tools. Syane is a versatile professional with well-developed planning, organisational, multi-tasking and leadership skills.

Therese Tarlinton
Business Connect Advisors | Digital Expert

Therese Tarlinton is so passionate about small business owners collaborating on marketing, that she wrote the book on how to do it. SWAP! Marketing without Money flew into the Amazon #1 Best Seller in Small Business spot and has ignited a movement where brands are gaining visibility, industry credibility, and improved profitability by working together. Therese knows what it feels like to be a small business owner and has advised many over the last 15 years.

Wayne Wanders
Business Connect Advisors

Wayne has been a fully qualified Chartered Accountant for over 35 years. The last 20 of these years has been working one on one with start-ups and other small and medium business owners as a trusted business advisor. Skilled in analysing business financial performance and cash flow. This in turn allows Wayne to help business owners to understand the real drivers of their business so they pull the right levers to profitably grow their business.

Yesica Alfonso
Business Connect Advisors | Digital Expert

Yesica has a mission to empower small businesses and startups to unlock their full potential so they can thrive and make the most out of the digital era. For over 6 years, she has made an impact in the industry by being the voice of truth for businesses and startups. Yesica has a background in Strategic Marketing through Google and Facebook Ads, Website Analytics, and Graphic Design and she enjoys sharing this knowledge with small businesses to help them succeed.

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Martin Rogers
Chief Executive Officer

Martin holds an extensive background and certification in Business, Marketing, and Strategy with over 20 years’ experience specialising in Strategic Thinking, Business Growth, Leadership and Team Development, across a number of industries. Martin utilises a collaborative leadership style and has a thirst for problem solving, understanding the latest trends and identifying the uniqueness that gives businesses their edge.

Mark McCrea
Chief Operations Officer

Mark McCrae stands out as a highly efficient Operations professional, known for his strategic oversight and management prowess within the corporate landscape. With years of experience under his belt, Mark has become synonymous with operational excellence, streamlining processes to enhance productivity and drive sustainable growth. Mark's forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have solidified his reputation as a cornerstone of operational success.

Razz Khan
Chief Marketing Officer

With over a decade of experience, Razz has a proven track record of driving growth and enhancing the digital footprint of various brands across multiple industries. His expertise spans across SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media strategies, and analytics. Razz is known for his innovative approaches to solving complex marketing challenges. Razz's passion for digital marketing, combined with his commitment to client success, makes him a valuable asset to any team looking to elevate their digital presence..

Greg Kay
Chief Commercial Officer

Greg has more than 25 years success in working with many for the development and implementation of growth strategies for businesses by building strong relationships through effective partnerships. Greg constantly strives for opportunities to have a positive influence in the personal and business lives of the people he works with.

Chris Wilborn
Contracts Manager And Advisor

Chris is a results-driven leader with a wealth of knowledge derived from his more than two decades in the NGO, corporate and government sectors. As a current business owner, from his prior work as a growth-minded CEO and a background working with disability organisations, Chris is deeply passionate about the NDIS, small business community and the central role they play in the fabric of our society.

Lindsay Munns
Executive

As a long term member of the Realise Business Board, Lindsay has temporarily stepped into this key role to facilitate the changeover of Chief Executive as part of our CEO succession strategy. Additionally he is busy leading the roll out of a major new Government contract that will take Realise Business up to the next level of its vital place in the NSW Small Business Advisory scene.

Marisa Barresi
Office / Client Coordinator
- Business Connect

Shanice Bangar
Events / Client Coordinator - Digital Solutions

Mona Bucog
Event Coordinator

Over the past 12 years, Mona has honed her skills in customer service, specializing in managing and addressing a wide range of customer needs. She’s dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring customer satisfaction. Her experiences have helped her develop skills that assist organizations in achieving their goals. Her ultimate aim is to help them focus on what they love, and she will take care of the rest!