Testimonials

Feedback is important to the team at The Business Centre

It's how we continue to offer the local business community the support required to start, run and grow your business. If you are a micro, small or medium business that would like to share your feedback, make suggestions or share ideas with us, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  We value it!

Hear directly from our clients...

Just a little thank you for your assistance and guidance with the purchase of Turners Ice Confections.  This had being my first contact with the Business Centre and I was not sure what to expect in the way of help and assistance, after my first visit any doubts I may have had were put to rest and the professional information that was provided to me was of immense help in my decision making process as were subsequent follow up meetings.  I found the whole process to be professional, relaxed and most importantly a friendly atmosphere and I certainly will be following up with the mentoring program as soon as I settle into the business. -- David Timmins

"Thanks so much for everything over the past 7 months. All the staff and surrounding small businesses in the serviced offices have been an absolute pleasure to be around. The Business Centre has been a great stepping stone and I'm sure we wouldn't be moving into a retail space if we didn't have this opportunity first." -- Kristy Russell

Just recently I was offered a unique business opportunity in tourism and hospitality - setting up and promoting an amazing historic home in the Hunter area for executive style accommodation and functions. I had a few ideas of my own but as a computer programmer, had no experience at all with tourism, marketing or business. I contacted The Business Centre in Newcastle for advice which resulted in several meetings with a consultant. The information received and the one-to-one mentoring has been invaluable. My consultant has expanded on the few ideas that I had, and together we are creating a comprehensive and detailed business plan that I could never have achieved had I attempted to do this solo. An added bonus is the list of contacts that The Business Centre has provided me with that will assist me in getting my business up and running and improve the quality and variety of services that I can offer to my clients. I'm so impressed with the service provided to me that I have signed up for workshops on Business, Marketing and Online Social Networking, and I'm looking forward to more planning sessions with my consultant. Its great to have people in the know to bounce ideas around with, give me direction and keep me focused on the tasks at hand. -- Jasmin Saba

Steve and I operate a small business in the Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Gloucester tourism LGAs. Last year, this business was under serious threat of folding, as a result of an aggressive 'squeeze out' bid launched by a similar business from outside of these LGAs. The Newcastle office referred us to our local business advisor at the most crucial time imaginable – twelve months later, we have not only held our market share, but have increased it and our profit margins enormously. We have also initiated an online business which is operating independently of the original. This has become a real success story!-- Lesley Lalor

Fantastic to have someone help you prioritise all the things that need to be done for a new business; to have a sounding board for ideas and to be provided with useful contacts and direction. Can't speak highly enough of this service -- Ruth Fellowes

Regarding your training rooms, thank you once again for the last 2 weeks! Everything runs so smoothly when I am at your location. -- Belinda Forrest

Attending the Women in Business program opened up a whole new world to me in the area of planning, bringing structure to how I look at my business and its potential. One of the key projects worked on during the course was the planning of a new innovative element...being exposed to so many different experts from social media to finance - and having a mentor and other participants to talk to who could give some perspective to all that we do and all the places we can go - was enlightening and energizing. Thanks WIB! -- Anna Campbell

Regarding your conference and training rooms, I have to say that your service and facilities were excellent! I have had nothing but excellent feedback from all the boys yesterday on both the room and the service that you and your company provided us. Our gentleman that required the chairlift and disabled facilities said that he felt very comfortable with everything provided and apparently they were most impressed that when it came to using the whiteboard ALL the markers worked! Apparently that was a first! So congrats! Even the tea and coffee provided was well received.... I have to say that when it comes to hiring out another room for another event or meeting we will definitely come to you first as everything was no hassle and any questions that I needed answered you were always very prompt in responding. I thank you once again and commend The Business Centre for your professionalism. -- Lisa Denholme