IT took just three years, but lots of hard work by La Bella Advanced Skin and Laser to be named Banjo Business of the Year on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Banjo Business Awards were held at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club’s Coral Sea Room with a revamped format.
The La Bella team had won the award for Excellence in Small Business, for businesses with fewer then 20 full-time employees, earlier in the night and co-owner Rebecca Miller said they were “just so excited”.
She said training their employees had been the key to success, as well as coaching.
“I coach them and we also have a coach to work on professional and personal goals because obviously it’s got to be affiliated to make them shine,” she said.
Ms Miller said she and fellow owner Carla Poole had been friends since they were 12 and went against advice from their loved ones to go into business together.
“Everybody tried to talk us out of it – the only one was my business coach who said why wouldn’t you, and it’s been a great road, we’ve never had a cross word because we’re both so dedicated to what we do,” she said.
The business employs six people in Orange and 10 in Parkes and Ms Miller hoped it would continue to serve its clients as it had been.
Employer of Choice award recipient Morse Group Accountants and Advisors also store by training, in addition to flexible work schedules and reward systems to retain its employees.
Human resources consultant Tracey Holdsworth said the business had been able to retain all its mothers returning to work from maternity leave.
“That’s pretty amazing,” she said.
“We have a lot of professionals who are quite experienced and it’s very valuable and we don’t want to lose that, and it keeps clients happy by having staff still there.”
Forefront Services won the Excellence in Business Award for businesses with more than 20 full-time employees.
Co-owner and director Anthony Redfern said the business had been able to open a workshop in Sydney thanks to their 120 employees and their families.
The company has held contracts with Cadia Valley Operations and Orange City Council.
Mr Redfern said the trick was being able to adapt.
“If there’s a problem, we’re the solution, so we’ve got to work to achieve that goal regardless,” he said.
Meanwhile Union Bank Wine Bar third-year apprentice chef Jack Mills, 20, received the Apprentice of the Year award.
He said he had always loved to cook and he felt lucky to be able to pursue his passion.
“I think the key is hard work and dedication,” he said.
Hansen Optometrists became the first inductee into the business hall of fame after 120 years in business.
Accepting the award, Sean Hansen said he was part of four generations of optometrists and other staff.
“I’m not sure there’s a secret to why we’ve had success and longevity, but we’ve tried to conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity and treat every customer and staff member like family,” he said.
Who took out awards:
- Banjo Business of the Year: La Bella Advanced Skin and Laser
- Excellence in Community Service: Wangarang Industries
- Excellence in Presentation, Marketing and Social Media: Bobbies Clothing
- Excellence in Innovation: Inland Digital
- Excellence in Sustainability: Ross Hill Wine Group
- Apprentice of the Year: Jack Mills of Union Bank Wine Bar
- Outstanding Customer Service: Nora McNamara of Union Bank Wine Bar
- People's Choice Award - Orange's Favourite Business: Dance HQ
- Young Business Executive: Dannielle Ford of Cheney Suthers Lawyers
- Young Entrepreneur: Sean Ryan of Central West Trailers
- Business Leader: Todd Raffen of Almighty Industries
- Excellence in Small Business (less than 20 full-time employees): La Bella Advanced Skin and Laser
- Excellence in Business (more than 20 full-time employees): Forefront Services
- Best New Business: Smoking Brothers Catering/Elwood's Eatery
- Employer of Choice: Morse Group Accountants and Advisors
- Business Hall of Fame inductee: Hansen Optometrists