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Information
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Creative Engraving Solutions
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At 51 years of age, Warren Gould was retrenched from a
lecturing position at a tertiary college. His wife Rosemary was 44 years old and
working as a Speech Pathologist. Initially, they entered into a computer
training franchise, but after five years wanted to start their own business.
They felt that there was a window of opportunity in the
area of engraving and printing onto plastic and metals. They applied for and
were accepted into the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) which provided
them with training in small business management skills, assistance with the
development of their business plan and if approved to participate, NEIS
allowance for up to 52 weeks and mentor support and advice during the first year
of business operation. Warren completed the NEIS training at Box Hill TAFE in
2000.
Their home-based business, Creative Engraving Solutions
commenced in July 2000. They started engraving and then expanded to vinyl
cutting and dye-sublimation printing machines to cope with the demand their
business had generated. The business has undergone continual growth since it
began and Warren and Rosemary have developed their processes and systems to Best
Manufacturing Practices. After discussions with one of their NEIS lecturers,
Warren and Rosemary decided to work towards ISO 9002 Accreditation – a process
which has seen them refine their procedures, stay abreast of current trends
emerging from the United States and set new standards in Australia.
NEIS has had a major influence on Warren and Rosemary’s
business. “The NEIS training taught us how to evaluate the market place and
how to research to find primary and secondary markets that could provide a
suitable immediate income to get started,” said Warren. “Now when
thinking of introducing a new product into the market place we go back to this
step.”
“Initially, we focused on the Melbourne and metropolitan
area,” added Rosemary. “As time went by we were able to develop other
markets across Australia and other countries overseas using these same
principles.”
“The NEIS program taught us many aspects of how to plan,
develop and manage in the areas of marketing, finance and operations during
growth stages of the business, “ said Warren. “We continue to apply all
these principles, as they have proved sound at every level of business growth.”
And there is no doubt that the business has grown, with the
building housing the equipment being doubled in size and the business now
employing two full-time, one part-time and one casual employee.
“The key to our success is that our focus has always
been on developing customer relationships and providing excellent customer
service as well as supplying a superior product on time,” said Rosemary.
Major Clients of Creative Engraving Solutions include
Choice Hotels Australasia in both Australia and New Zealand; Intercontinental
Hotel Group in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region; Radisson Hotels; Kraft
Foods and Quest Apartments in Australia and New Zealand. This list is sure to
expand, as the business continues to grow into the future.
NEIS helping the unemployed into self-employment
Warren and Rosemary Gould
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