On the Road to Growth and Progress: How Craig and Louise Cameron Achieved Business Growth and Financial Security with BLG

In 2001, Craig and Louise Cameron were offered the opportunity to operate several NRMA Road Service sites as subcontractors. Their journey to becoming owners of NRMA contracts began with Craig, who started his mechanical apprenticeship in Bowral with Wheeler Motors in 1991. Wheeler Motors held the NRMA Roadside contract for the area and Craig was proactive in taking every opportunity available to assist NRMA members. From there, Craig has been working as an NRMA Patrol and managing multiple sites within NSW.

Harrison “Harry” Carlon started The Shed Fitness Studio 13 years ago with his business partners Henry and Tabitha. They wanted to provide busy professionals in their community with effective, targeted, and high-quality exercises, as well as offer support and guidance to ensure that their workouts are properly controlled and progressive.

Susan Cooper and her husband Nigel began Bright Star Kids around 2005, when Susan, a graphic designer, was completing a Masters Degree. The couple had met in Ireland but moved to Australia temporarily, where Susan planned to finish her studies and then return.

Bandit Tree Equipment’s roots go right back to 1986, when Mark Marriott began working in his father’s business. Amongst other tasks, he took over the sales of a couple of small wood chippers and the seeds were sown for his own enterprise. Mark and his wife Sue came on board as a Bandit distributor in 1993, beginning in their home city of Sydney before gradually taking over distribution across the country. They now have four offices; Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

The Hazlett’s are a close-knit, family-run mixed farming operations and property management group headed by Director, Robert Hazlett. Initially involved in property, the Hazlett’s have assembled an extensive portfolio of commercial and residential property interests. Following their passion, the Hazlett’s further diversified into rural property and diverse farming operations.

Kollaras Group is a third generation family business that has grown substantially and successfully over almost 60 years in operation. Starting as a small fruit and vegetable-based family-owned business, Kollaras Group’s core business is now primarily focused on beverages, which they distribute to customers all over the world including cruise ships, airlines, hotel groups and retailers. Their tobacco arm of the business services a similar group of customers. Outside of the core business, Kollaras Group have a property development and property investment arm.

Iain Byrne is a pharmacist and owner of Bronte Pharmacy and Bronte Medical Centre. He explains how Phil Grant at BLG Business Advisers helped him at the start of his business journey. He was referred to BLG by a friend when he was ready to buy his own pharmacy and Phil assisted him through the process with things that, as a pharmacist, he didn’t necessarily think of. The strength of his relationship with the team has grown over the years.

Shane McGrath is the CEO of Eroma, a high-quality supplier to the candle-making industry. Shane explains what first drew him to BLG and, 6 years later, why he’ll continue working with Angela Bernardi and the team.

Geoff and Cathie Cochrane are 7th generation dairy farmers. When Geoff left school at age 15 to work on the farm full-time, they produced 165,000 litres of milk each year. Last year, they produced 10 Million litres of milk—a 60-fold increase.

John Mullan is a Community Pharmacist and owner of Dapto Centre Town Pharmacy. He shares his experiences with Michael Grew, and now Peter Ryan, at BLG Business Advisers, including how he was first introduced and what they have done to help his business.

For the past 10 years, Jill and Brett Robinson have owned and operated a Roadside Assistance company, primarily focused on accident towing. From humble beginnings where they operated a workshop, insurance office and roadside service from a single location, the business has grown to cover additional sites state-wide and expanded their service capacity. In 2018, with the help of BLG, they doubled the size of their operations and staff – and they couldn’t be more excited about the future.

Illawarra Family Medical Centre has been around for 13 years, and since being introduced to BLG 12 years ago, has gone from strength to strength. With yearly growth and now 17 quality doctors and visiting specialists, the medical centre is in a solid position. Recently winning three grants to expand their services, including running a pilot project for a new model of medicine called ‘Healthcare Homes’, they have become one of the biggest private medical practices in the Illawarra.