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 business.

Our Team

Louis Birks

Advisor

Julie Humphris

Advisor

Katie Turner

Advisor

Ben Baker

Advisor

CASE STUDY - Expanding Australian Piano Supply’s Horizon: A Venture into the European Market

In July 2021, an ambitious piano tuner/technician in Coffs Harbour decided to step into the realm of piano retailing, marking the birth of the renowned Piano Harbour. But the journey didn’t stop there; an innovative brainchild in the form of an online piano parts, tools and materials supply business was soon added to the mix, catering specifically to piano technicians.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE STUDY

Attend an event

As webinars are funded by the NSW government, participants must be residing in or conducting business in NSW. In addition, to receive the recording link and any relevant resources after the webinar, participants must be registered on the NSW Business Connect database. 

Events

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. 

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

Learn More About the Program

Resources

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To connect with an advisor

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Frequently Asked Questions

NORTEC is an approved, independent provider for the Service NSW Business Connect program.

We can support you at every stage of your business journey.

You can get free, tailored business advice in one-on-one sessions on topics such as business planning, marketing and cash flow from independent advisors who have experience in running their own businesses.

You can also access online resources at any time and attend in-person and online events for practical tips.

Anyone who owns or operates a small business or is planning to start a new business in NSW can access our business advisory services. You’ll also need to have the right to live and work in Australia or be a resident of NSW and/or have your business located in NSW. Business Connect resources and services are available to anyone regardless of what stage your business is in.

All of our Advisors each have small business experience with owning or operating running their own small businesses. They have a formal qualification in a business-related discipline and extensive knowledge and practical experience. They have a broad range of capabilities covering essential business topics including finance, marketing and sales financial literacy, digital literacy and mental health first aid training. Our advisors regularly undergo training and professional development to ensure that their knowledge and skills are up to date and relevant.

NORTEC offers both one-time and ongoing business advisory services depending on the needs of your business.

Our Advisors can work with you on a project basis or provide ongoing support to help you achieve your long-term business goals.

Businesses in all industries can access up to 8 hours of support each year, subject to availability.

Our business support advisors have worked with a wide range of industries in the past, including but not limited to:

  • Retail
  • Hospitality and tourism
  • Healthcare and wellness
  • Creative industries (e.g. media, advertising, marketing)
  • Finance and banking
  • Information technology and software development
  • Manufacturing and distribution
  • Professional services (e.g. legal, accounting, consulting)
  • Education and training
  • Non-profit and social enterprises

We are dedicated to providing support and expertise to any industry that seeks our services.

Eligible business customers can access up to 8 hours of FREE support per financial year, which includes business advice sessions and events. Online resources are free and available at any time.

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Head Office
87 Minjungbal Drive
Tweed Heads South NSW 2486
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1800 667 832
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Louis Birks

Advisor

Servicing Coffs Harbour & Clarence Valley

Louis is a seasoned brand builder and e-commerce specialist with significant start-up and consumer product goods experience. His major areas of specialty include social media, e-commerce, organic growth, digital marketing, marketing operations, partnerships, business start-up, pitching, brand strategy, brand development and product development, as well as online marketplaces (Amazon), wholesale, sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics.

Louis has worked with some of Australia’s largest challenger brands and direct to consumer businesses. He also founded and built Australia’s first digitally-native sustainable personal care brand – helping establish the category in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle retailers for the first time in history. Passionate about marketing technology, Louis also played a pivotal role in creating an e-commerce partnerships-marketing platform that enabled e-commerce businesses to grow in new ways.

Request a booking

Julie Humphris

Advisor

Servicing Kempsey & Nambucca

With 16 years of diverse business experience, one of which was a successful bookkeeping business providing services across many industries and community organisations, Julie has honed skills in all facets of small business management. Her latest venture has been educating others on how to live and farm differently, with a focus on family and health within a farming lifestyle.
 
As an experienced Advisor, Julie’s skills cover a vast range, including but not limited to, client relationship management, office admin and bookkeeping, digital solutions, time management, sales and marketing, and has developed deep understanding of rural business challenges.
 
Julie’s ultimate passion lies in supporting small businesses achieve their goals and thrive in their chosen field.
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Katie Turner

Advisor

Servicing Port Macquarie & Hastings

With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Katie is a seasoned founder adept at navigating diverse business landscapes. Specialising in dynamic digital strategies, she excels in crafting online representations that project professionalism, attract ideal customers through targeted messaging, and drive sales on digital platforms.

Katie’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between customer experience, technical design, and the digital realm, ensuring seamless integration for her clients. Her strategic approach not only strengthens online presence but also enhances customer engagement and drives tangible results.

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Ben Baker

Advisor

Servicing Tweed Heads, Kyogle, Byron Bay, Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley

Ben is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of business experience in the leisure industry as the founder of Lazerzone Family Entertainment Centre and co-founder of Urban Xtreme Adventures.
An accountant by trade, Ben specialises in supporting business owners during the start-up phase to establish solid foundations for building long-lasting enterprises. Ben believes that providing quality support is not a “one size fits all” exercise and that each individual has their own gifts and abilities that are key to unlocking sustainable success.

Ben has extensive experience as a small business owner and has developed a wide range of skills in recruitment, people management, marketing, budgeting, finance, sales, project management, business strategy and planning. Ben’s collaborative approach and outside-the-box thinking make him an ideal advisor for start-ups and businesses trading in difficult industries or circumstances.

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