Changing fortune
Much like the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes, Debra Newlan changed her stars when she made the decision to stop being an employee and become her own boss.
Five years ago, the café owner and single mum-of-three was living to work, struggling to make financial ends meet and finding her employment in hospitality less satisfying by the day.
"It had always been my dream to work for myself," she says.
"Having worked in the hospitality field for some years, I had become disenchanted with some aspects of the industry, so starting my own business was something which was always in the back of my mind.
"Initially, I definitely had my doubts about what sort of success I would achieve, but in life, there are a lot of things you don't know you can do until you try them."
Fast forward five years and Debra's life is well on its way down a new, financially secure, rewarding path.
Her café Phoenix on Rob Roy has become a central meeting space for Malvern East locals, combining with the adjacent community centre, library and child's playground to provide a comprehensive neighborhood hub of activity.
Armed with her knowledge of the hospitality industry, but with no real understanding of how to run a small business, Debra went back to basics, discovering what support was available for budding entrepreneurs with a dream and the drive to succeed.
"I knew I didn't want to do things half-heartedly, so it was important in those initial stages to set up everything properly and know exactly what I was getting myself into," she says.
"I spent quite a while finding out about my options. I made sure I knew exactly what programs and assistance was available to me through Centrelink, and became aware of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) when my son, an interior designer, applied for the program."
Debra enrolled in the NEIS program through Kangan Institute's Essendon campus. She says the course was invaluable in helping her take her ideas and goals from paper through to reality, with financial support, the aid of a mentor and access to the knowledge she needed to establish Phoenix on Rob Roy.
The next step was to find a location for her new enterprise.
"I noticed the facility when it was being built and thought a café would be the perfect addition to all the other community spaces being created," Debra says.
"I approached the local council and submitted a tender for the café. The council staff members were wonderful, and have been supportive of the café ever since then, particularly the team in social planning.
"The things I learnt throughout the NEIS program were vital in establishing the business. Even now I still get my NEIS book out to refer to the things I learnt. I've even been able to correct my accountant on one occasion with the knowledge I gained from the program!"
In the same way that the locals have supported her café, Debra says she feels a responsibility to make sure her business contributes back to the community.
She works closely with neighboring company Gawith Villa, an organisation which supports people with an intellectual disability, by providing work experience opportunities and important community links. The partnership has led to success on both sides.
"I decided to offer a traineeship to one of the participants - Esther - and she's going really well. She's completing her Certificate II in Hospitality, is gaining in confidence every day and really enjoys her work," Debra says.
"Contributing to the local business community is also really important to me. I support local businesses as much as possible - the cookies I sell come from a producer just 10 minutes down the road, and not just because I believe in supporting local companies, but also because the quality is exceptional.
"I try to stock as many organic products as possible, and I only sell Fair Trade coffee."
