Rice and Spice equals success for Kangan Batman graduate
When Ifzal Syed completed his Master Degree from Melbourne University in Development Studies - specialising in GIS Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, he did not expect it difficult to find employment in his chosen field.
He felt the new degree would compliment his Masters degree in Economics and his Master of Business Administration. His extensive 14 years experience was another factor that made him believe that finding a relevant job would be rather easy.
However, after stepping into the "real" world, he was confronted with unemployment even after searching for full time employment for over 12 months.
With depleted personal funds, being a full fee paying student and working part-time while studying, the opportunities in Australia in his chosen field seemed limited.
"After I approached Centrelink, the only real option that appealed to me was my own business and the NEIS support program at GRAMETS Kangan Batman," said Ifzal.
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a Commonwealth Government program to help people into self-employment. The program includes training in small business management, help with developing a business plan and mentor support, along with one year of income support while setting up the new business.
"Being from Pakistan and having a knowledge of the food and language, I believed there was a market in Australia, firstly for expatriates from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and because of the multicultural tastes in food developing in Australia," Ifzal said.
Izfal Syed conceived the idea of developing an importing business in food products from the sub-continent. He developed a business plan as part of the NEIS program.
In late 2003, after developing agreements with suppliers, he had saved enough money to import his first half-container load of rice from Pakistan. The NEIS program at Kangan Batman also offered guidance on Australian tax law and book keeping requirements, while the financial support helped Ifzal save money enough for his first shipment for the business.
His wholesale company 'Step Management' now imports two container loads every couple of months including rice, spices, lentils, pickles, and more. It also includes a distribution chain, a retail outlet called 'Spice King' in East Brunswick, with a restaurant under development.
Ifzal is now extending the distribution service to other Australian States as the product list expands to include locally produced Australian yoghurts and cheese.
Success didn't come easily, requiring much hard work and long hours for limited return - packaging product by hand into the volumes customers required and canvassing retail outlets, restaurants and other customers to develop the business.
"I've had my share of bitter disappointments such as large debtors falling into bankruptcy or having difficulties meeting their payments, which put some real strains on cash flow and profitability," Ifzal said.
"But the NEIS program helped a lot in getting me started, in terms of clarifying my thinking and making new friends and contacts, two of whom are now part of my business."
Kangan Batman TAFE's Business Enterprise Centre delivers the NEIS program in Melbourne's inner, western and north-western suburbs. The program is held at our ten locations in Essendon, Richmond, Deer Park, Moreland, Fitzroy, Werribee, Melton, Sunbury, Broadmeadows and Avondale Heights, as well as in the southern and eastern suburbs. The NEIS program is available year-round, with new classes commencing every four weeks.
Having worked with major development enterprises in Germany and Canada, and with the World Bank on infrastructure development projects involving some 228 cities municipalities and local communities, setting up a small business in Australia was a major life change for Ifzal Syed.
"I reflect on the stark differences sometimes and it's like the products I sell - bitter and sweet," he said.
"On the one hand I was disappointed that I didn't get the opportunities I expected in Australia from my education, but at the same time I've made new friends and am gratified by the business success I've had so far".
"A long time back a business research professor and colleague from Western Ontario University told me "I don't believe in luck; it's a weak man's term. Opportunities come and go, and they will keep doing so - if you are prepared to grasp them, people will call you lucky, if not - unlucky."
"So, my experiences have taught me to always try to improve my preparedness level: mentally, physically and in financial and technical resourcefulness," Ifzal Syed said.
"You never know which resource/skill will come in handy at what time, while the non-handy ones still remain a part of your assets, to help you grasp some other opportunity when it arrives!"
