Our Team

Mark has over 30 years’ experience with the Western Australian Government. Mark has worked for the State Government’s Small Business Development Corporation and was instrumental in the transformation of the 21-year old Small Business Centres Program into the new Business Local service, providing high quality business advisory services to small businesses across the State. He has successfully navigated the transition into the new outcomes focused service, ensuring that small businesses continue to receive free, quality and unbiased business advice no matter where they are located in Western Australia.

Mark has also worked within the Aboriginal business development environment, having strategic management of the Western Australian Aboriginal Business Directory.

Qualification

Diploma in Accounting and Finance

Desiree has over twenty years’ management experience in community, social and economic development, economic and social mobility, working with the inherent capacities of local communities to grow economic and social capital. With a strong background in creating conducive working places that reward innovation, creativity and vitality. Her expertise includes activities of business, government, not for profit organisations and social enterprises ensuring value laden and efficient systems are in place.

Desiree is highly experienced in strategic direction, business planning, organisational business measures and activities, capacity building, operational management, program development, sustainable partnerships, regulatory frameworks, policies and procedures, corporate governance, social/economic responsibility and sustainable growth.

Desiree has spent many years as a human rights and social justice. She is a published and award-winning writer. More importantly, she does have a very good sense of humour.

Qualifications and achievements

Post Graduate Certificate/Bachelor of Arts
Certifications in Business and Accounting
Career Development Certification
Counselling and Mediation Qualifications
Australian Directors Certification

Always perky and ever smiling, Tendai is our Gosnells Incubator Manager who believes that numbers and economics make the best business decisions. In addition to managing the Gosnells Incubator, Tendai is responsible for Business Station’s data management and analytics.

A seasoned economist with international experience in both the public and private sectors, Tendai is a strong advocate of small business development programs. He is convinced that small businesses are the panacea for global economic growth hence deserve the best support possible.

In his spare time, Tendai enjoys watching cricket and learning about rough diamonds and other precious and semi-precious gemstones.

Qualifications

Master in International Hospitality Management (High distiction)
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree in Economics (with distiction)
Certificate in Rough Diamond Evaluation – in pursuit of a hobby.

Specialisations

Business and Economic Modelling
Business and Data Analysis
Research and development
Project management and office administration
Stakeholder management
Event planning and coordination.

Tony oversees the operations of Business Stations National Partner Network – Northern Territory – Treeti Business Consulting and Queensland – RDA Brisbane. Tony is one of Australia’s leading authorities of digital transformation, innovation and the economic and collaborative benefits of new disruptive technology within the workforce. He is an experienced Chairman and Company Director and has also worked at senior executive level for private and publicly listed enterprises in Australia, India and the USA.

Tony’s responsibilities include:

• Program Manager ASBAS Queensland and the Northern Territory
• Managing partner and stakeholder relationships across Queensland and the Northern Territory
• Strategic Business Development and Business Partnership Management
• Identifying and leveraging opportunities associated with the ASBAS program across QLD and NT.

In his spare time Tony is a keen golfer (H’Cap 9)  and is still playing ‘keys’ in an Old Time Rock n Roll band. Married to Jenni for 46 years, Tony’s extended family now includes four adult siblings, seven grandchildren and a beautiful great granddaughter.

Qualification and Achievements

Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Diploma Management
Fellow Australian Institute of Management
Certified Google Small Business Specialist

Some of Tony’s previous roles include; Chairman of Logan Office of Economic Development, Chairman and co-founder of The Rype Group, National Director of Economic Development Australia and and QLD Government Assessor – Ignite Innovation Grants.

Specialisation

For 35 years Tony has remained a passionate digital economy activist and an agent of change – especially pioneering new technology trends – and leading teams towards radical supply chain or value channel re-engineering. He has been described as a maverick, with entrepreneurial qualities.

Natalie, our quality control ninja, oracle of all things wise. Nat oversees the development of training resources and new programs. Nat is responsible for:

• Program Development
• Service Delivery Quality Control
• Resource Development
• Entrepreneurship Facilitator Service Program Coordinator.

When time permits Nat spends her time singing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans….

Qualifications and achievements

NZ.Dip.Bus
Cert IV Business
Cert IV TAE (LLN)
Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies (Uni. Of Maryland)
Previous Business Owner/Company Director
Business Advisor/Trainer/Mentor – 20 years’ experience teaching, training and developing start-up businesses.

Specialisation

Aust. Business Trainer of the Year 2012 (NNA)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Business Analysis and Strategic Planning
Marketing Strategist
Business Planning
RTO Training and Education
Management
Leadership
Communication
Operational Policies and Procedures
Staff Training
Resource Development and Documentation.

Colette is responsible for all Business Station’s traditional and digital marketing requirements, including all things social. Colette oversees the marketing brand and strategy for Business Station across Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

In her spare time, Colette loves spending time with her husband, family and friends, watching movies at the cinema and exploring new places to walk with her furbaby (Richie the Staffy).

Qualifications and achievements

Master of Education
Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Arts (Education)
Certificate IV Training and Assessment
Occupational Health and Safety (Certificate)
Writing for the Web (Certificate)

Chahak oversees the finances of Business Station.. He is a Provisional Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Chahak serves as a National Council Member for the Australian Speak Easy Association (ASEA), and a Board Member of the Murdoch Young Professionals. He is also a Member of Toastmasters.

Before joining Business Station, Chahak interned with various Government organisations including Western Australia Members of Parliament and multiple not-for-profits.

Qualifications

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration – Murdoch University, WA
Bachelor of Business (Accounting & Finance) – Murdoch University, WA
Diploma of Business – Murdoch Institute of Technology, WA

Achievements

• Chahak appeared as a guest on the Australian podcast,  ‘Strong Voices – Overcoming Speaking Challenges’ – ‘Episode 23 – Aiming for the top! – with Chahak Garg’
• The youngest National Council Member to be selected on the National Board of the Australian Speak Easy Association since its inception 45 years ago. He represents Western Australia
• One of 25 students sponsored by Murdoch University to participate in a four-day Leadership Development Program held in Singapore
• Selected by Murdoch University to participate in the 2017 Murdoch Students Emerging Leaders (MSEL) program. MSEL is a project-based leadership program.
• Was mentioned in the Western Australian Parliamentary speech on 18th May 2017 by Hon. Robin Chapple, MLC, Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, WA, as being one of his great supporters.
• Selected by the Western Australian Parliamentary Education Office to participate in the 2016 Parliamentary Research Program
• Awarded a Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award (MUAEA) with a scholarship for his high academic achievements.

Rachel is our dynamic receptionist at ECUBIC (Edith Cowan University Business Incubation Centre) in Joondalup. Rachel is responsible for:

• ECUBIC room bookAll Teamings
• Client communication
• Incubator support
• Administration

In her spare time Rachel loves going to the gym and baking, as long as it is something sweet.

Qualifications and achievements

Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Specialisation
Site Inductions
Tenant and Client Liaison
Workshop Coordination

Jenny is the first point of contact for our clients at Business Station headquarters. Jenny oversees the reception desk and is responsible for:

• Meeting and greeting visitors to Business Station
• Answering telephone calls
• Managing room bookings for workshops, functions and events
• Administration tasks.

In her spare time Jenny loves spending time with her grandchildren and researching her family history.

Qualification and achievements

Bachelor of Arts in Education (Primary) with distinction
Worked in the banking industry for four years before leaving to start a family
Country and city postings as a primary school teacher for over 20 years
Electoral officer for State and Federal members of Parliament.

Specialisation

Administration
Incubator support
Tenant and client liaison
Workshop coordination