Dynamic Business

Recession? What recession? A plethora of innovative and growing SMEs are having success across the country. Here are Dynamic Business’ favourites for 2009.

David Hancock, Geeks2U
www.geeks2u.com.au

At just 24, David Hancock is the founder and managing director of Geeks2U, a national provider of onsite computer repairs, advice and support for home and business customers across Australia.

David set up and operated Geeks2U from his bedroom when he was just out of school. He had one technician at the time who was busy darting between customers in Sydney, but it wasn’t long before he needed to recruit additional ‘Geeks’ to service a wider area.

Since 2005, Geeks2U has grown to become a highly successful small business. In fact, the revenue growth for April 09 vs April 08 was 94 percent. Geeks2U has just hit 30,000 customers and David expects revenue and customer growth to accelerate even further in the coming months thanks to a six-figure Sydney radio investment they have made across four stations.

Geeks2U is also in the process of hiring more full-time technicians around Australia to help keep up with demand and get more branded vehicles on the road.

Tim and Dan Alpe, Jucy Rentals
www.jucy.com.au

Jucy Rentals is one of Australasia’s fastest growing independent rental companies. Launched in New Zealand in 2002, Jucy has experienced rapid growth with annual revenue increasing by more than $20 million since the business began. In 2008, the New Zealand campervan sensation made it’s way across the Tasman and began operations in Australia.

Jucy was launched in New Zealand by brothers Tim and Dan Alpe. Tim and Dan have an extensive background in the tourism industry, previously being employed by leading New Zealand tourism company, Tourism Holding Limited (THL). With their intricate understanding of the industry they recognised that there weren’t many car rental companies with affordable, reliable cars for rent. To fill this gap they came up with the concept for Jucy; a unique car hire company providing affordable yet luxurious cars and campervan rentals. The proposal was put forward to THL but was eventually knocked back. They decided to go out on a limb and undertook the business endeavour on their own and they are thankful they did.

So far the Australian market has welcomed Jucy with open arms, with Jucy continuing to expand its fleet of 200 campervans throughout 2009. Tim is not surprised by Jucy’s success, “We researched the market and competitors extensively and the time was right to move to Australia. The majority of our customers in New Zealand were Australian, British or German; many of who were travelling through Australia as well.”

Jucy has grown from 35 cars to a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles and currently employs 85 vibrant, youthful staff members in offices throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Daniel Banik and Zoe Warne, August
www.august.com.au

August is a Melbourne-based digital agency, where creativity and technology are used intelligently to generate business innovation and success. The business, founded in 2005 by Daniel and Zoe and Matthew Agar, is first and foremost about ideas and bringing them to life. Whether it’s creating a large scale, ecommerce-enabled website or developing a targeted, online product launch to integrate with an existing offline campaign, they’ve got the strategy, tactics and nous to make it work.

Back in 2005 they dared to carve out their niche agency from the ashes of an industry still recovering from the dot-com crash. August remains proudly independent, in a landscape that is increasingly populated by mergers and acquisitions. Now their clients include Fosters, Snowgum and Austrtalia Post.

Zoe says: “We have created a vibrant team of young guns and whiz kids, and the right culture for retaining them—no revolving doors or corporate restructures here! Not surprisingly, we are well placed to ensure our growing stable of clients are loved and cared for, so they are here for the long-haul.

“And as for innovation, if it doesn’t exist, we build it. Not quite right? We improve it. August has created a suite of awesome web-based applications representing best of breed technology.”

Tanya Farrar, Brazilian Butterfly
www.brazilianbutterfly.com

Brazilian Butterfly was recently ranked 12th in the BRW Fast Franchises Awards with a revenue of $7.18million, 74.06 percent growth and 19 outlets.

Founder and director Tanya, 37, is married to Scott, MD of the company. She’s the first to admit she did not envisage running an expanding franchise when she created her very first salon in inner city Richmond in Melbourne.

She began her business with the simple belief that waxing could be done better. Based on 17 years’ experience in the beauty industry, Tanya was convinced there was the potential for growth in waxing, particularly Brazilian waxing.

She bought her first beauty salon in 1994, built it up into a thriving business and sold it in 1996. The next six years were spent working in several salons and pharmacies in Melbourne and raising a family along the way.

With Scott’s support and encouragement, Tanya took the plunge in 2002 and rented a shop in Richmond, with the idea of setting up a business that would specialise in waxing. Brazilian Butterfly was born. They opened their second salon in St Kilda in 2003.

Then, one of their best clients decided she liked Brazilian Butterfly so much she wanted one of her very own and approached Scott and Tanya with the idea of setting up her own salon. The first franchise store opened in Knox in 2004. The brand has grown to encompass 18 salons in Victoria and one in Queensland and Tanya has also developed a successful range of skincare products to complement the Brazilian Butterfly treatments.