How FNQ’s savviest innovators are thriving in business
It all started with an idea – but it took some serious commitment and out-of-the-box thinking for these 10 innovative business leaders to make the cut. SEE THE LIST
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY are starting or reinventing businesses the smart way, sometimes with no shopfronts, no heavy overheads and a sharp focus on raking in online revenue – meet some of the Far North’s savviest innovators.
New and rejuvenated start-ups are emerging from industries crippled by Covid, and there’s money to be made in home-based and micro business, according to iiHubb and Complete Business Solutions managing director Petina Tieman.
Ms Tieman said businesses in the beauty, health and wellbeing sector were flourishing and offered plenty of potential for those looking to start a profitable operation.
“They’re really flourishing, no big overheads, no shopfronts,” she said.
“There’s a mass shift in the market where everybody wants to buy online at the moment.
“Look at what’s the pain point. How are people hurting right now and then make a product around that.”
Ms Tieman said entrepreneurs needed to be prepared to confront challenges head on and focus on forward planning in a climate of uncertainty.
“Work in the now but we need to be prepared to adapt, make change, ask for help, research for help and confront what the challenge is,” she said.
Here are 10 of the Far North’s most savvy innovators in 2022:
#10 Jessica Bailey and Isaak Schiller, Owners – Tropical Collective
Aimed squarely at a niche bridal demographic, Tropical Collective works exclusively with couples looking to ditch traditional weddings and elope.
Married duo Jessica Bailey and Isaak Schiller provide hair, makeup, professional photography and videography and offer elopements in secluded and beautiful spots around Far North Queensland.
They have now also teamed up with Cassowary Falls to provide two nights of luxury accommodation and have plans to add a celebrant service to their offering.
While the tropical north’s bridal industry was impacted by Covid travel restrictions, Tropical Collective has leveraged customers’ changing needs and adapted nuptial plans to help them design their dream wedding without hassle.
#9 David D’Amore and Hannah Singleton, Owners – Handstand Hub
Sometimes it pays to look at the world from another angle, like Handstand Hub owners David D’Amore and Hannah Singleton. The pair rebranded their gym Shoshin Movement this year to focus specifically on handstands – an idea which was born out of their shared love for mobility and gymnastics skills.
The change has driven new business through the gym’s unique classes. The Handstand Hub is the only gym in Cairns that teaches the handstand and has drawn a thriving market of fitness fanatics looking to supplement their current routines by getting upside down.
#8 Christian Savvakis, Co-owner – iCompliance
After identifying a gap in the market, the team at iCompliance made it their mission to help small businesses access affordable customer relationship management software and job safety analysis tools. Crucial to keeping business in order, CRM software helps collate contacts and accounts, invoicing, timesheets and pay runs.
Mr Savvakis noticed how expensive CRM softwares were and, with his IT background, created his own at a competitive price for his small trade business customer base.
Unaffected by Covid, the Indigenous owned and operated business nabbed a big contract with the Cairns Convention Centre.
Maintaining its competitive edge by consistently adding new features, iCompliance has customisable features, so clients can build their own tools and CRM software that works for their business model.
#7 Konrad Borowiecki, Owner – No Limit Adventures
While a global pandemic wiped out travel plans, Konrad Borowiecki was busy plotting out a way for Far North residents to enjoy a holiday experience in their own backyard.
No Limit Adventures revamped its business model when Covid hit and it lost its primary international travellers customer base.
Shifting focus to domestic travellers, Mr Borowiecki started up Cairns Brewery Tours and a Tasting Tour to give Far North residents a holiday experience in their own city.
Tapping into a niche market, the Brewery Tour is the only one of its kind in the region. Mr Borowiecki has also tailored the tasting tours to travel to south east Queensland and has included stops that no other company offers.
Emerging from the pandemic with an expanded business model, No Limit Adventures will permanently offer domestic tours.
#6 Troy Manning, Co-owner – Cult Combat and Fitness and Cafe
Troy Manning knows that coffee is life, so he decided to build onto his fitness business. First came martial arts, virtual cycling and yoga, followed by a cafe. Cult Combat and Fitness and Cafe was born two years ago and has snowballed into a one stop fitness and caffeine fix shop. Co-owner, Troy Manning has expanded and driven the business during trying times by exploring different avenues and opening up a cafe.
“Most gyms are only open 20 per cent of the time and then are just sitting there. I thought to open the cafe to hit different markets,” Mr Manning said.
Open to many demographics,the Cult Combat and Fitness and Cafe stands out from the competition with the martial arts they offer, its pick-up cycles and its MMA cage.
#5 John O’Sullivan, CEO – Experience Co
Tourism businesses all around FNQ have been affected by Covid, but Experience Co has used the past two and a half years to innovate and come back even better with a new Reef Magic pontoon.
It’s the first pontoon of its kind in Cairns as it carries a dedicated science lab aboard the 46.6 metre long and 12 metre wide vessel which also has overnight bunkers for scientists and marine biologists to work on. It also gives customers on board a chance to interact with them and learn more about what’s under the water.
The new pontoon is a game changer in the marine world and offers diving, snorkelling and an observatory for its passengers.
#4 Michael Guli, Founder and General Manager – The Intrust Group
Starting up in 2014, Michael Guli founded The Intrust Group when he moved to Cairns from Innisfail to do his own thing and create a better life financially.
Noticing an untapped market, The Intrust Group planned to open three main branches of their business. It provides customer convenience for renovations by offering building, electrical and plumbing professional trade services all in house with no subcontractors.
The Intrust Group is one of a kind in Cairns that operates and has licences for all three trade groups and plans on expanding to add another branch of project management.
#3 Mallika and Andrew Robinson, Founders – QuestaGame
Combining a fun, interactive game with science, Mallika and Andrew Robinson founded QuestaGame which is a mobile and web game that encourages users to document biodiversity in their local environment to gain points.
The couple of the award-winning game is now based in Cairns.
The game protects the environment by taking users to discover and geo-map surrounding wildlife and has now recorded over one million sightings of varying plants and animals.
#2 Bill Kelly, Manager – Kelly’s Australia
Using border restrictions and Covid mandates to focus on its existing clientele, Kelly’s Australia has maintained business through its innovative waterjetting services.
The Indigenous owned company is the only one in Australia to secure a six tonne robotic crawler that is specifically built for ship hulls and surfaces alike and completes 90 per cent of work, increasing productivity.
In their 26 years of operations, Kelly’s Australia innovates its work and solutions through renewable energy and hydroblasting to work with the likes of the Australian Navy.
#1 Jodie Mlikota, CEO and Founder – Gathar
With an idea born from a personal frustration, Gathar was launched in 2018 in Cairns and Port Douglas. After an influx of demand, the business now has plans to take its platform global. Jodie Mlikota’s idea is the first in Australia to bring together cooks, grazing table stylists, chefs and caterers all in one platform for customers to create at home dining experiences.
“While the hospitality industry was hit particularly hard during the Covid-19 pandemic, the appetite for at-home private chef experiences grew larger, and proved to be a silver lining for Gathar,” Ms Mlikota said.
“Restrictions around dining out and more people spending their holiday budgets domestically saw demand for their private chefs skyrocket.”
More Coverage
Originally published as How FNQ’s savviest innovators are thriving in business
Hwy reopened, three hospitalised following multi-vehicle crash
The Kennedy Highway has been reopened to traffic following multi-vehicle crash, which left three people hospitalised, on Thursday afternoon.
‘Hectic wildfire season’: Deliberately lit bushfires
A Far North Queensland-based firefighter has warned many homes are not prepared for fire-season as crews contain fires claimed to be deliberately lit.