About

BUSY Business is part of The BUSY Group, a trusted Australian provider of employment, education and training programs for nearly 50 years.

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Experience you can count on.

For nearly five decades, The BUSY Group has helped Australians find work, build skills and start businesses. Today the group delivers more than 20 government-funded programs nationally, supporting thousands of people and businesses every year.

That depth of experience sits behind every BUSY Business service. When you work with us, you’re backed by a established organisation that understands small business, government programs and what it takes to get results.

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The BUSY Business Difference

Our advisors bring real-world business knowledge, not just coaching frameworks. Our programs are structured around outcomes you can measure. We’ll tell you the truth about your idea, your plan and your numbers — because honest advice at the right time is worth more than polished reassurance. We work with people across regional and rural Australia, not as an afterthought but as a core part of what we do.

What makes us different

Real advisors with real business experience, not just certificates

Funded and commercial pathways — there's an entry point for most people

One-on-one advisory, not just group programs

Outcome-focused: you walk away with something you can use

Honest assessments, including when the answer is 'not yet'

Accessible online, by phone, or in person. Location is not a barrier.

Part of an established, accountable organisation with nearly 50 years of history

Approved delivery partner for Self-Employment Assistance Program and Digital Solutions program

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The BUSY Group

Beyond business support, The BUSY Group helps people across Australia through apprenticeships, training, schooling, disability employment and more. Explore the full range of programs and the story behind nearly 50 years of helping Australians get ahead.

Our Team

Meet the advisors and team members who work with business owners every day.

  • A smiling, middle-aged bald man with fair skin in a black crew-neck t-shirt stands before a simple light beige background.

    Gavin Hodgkins

    National Manager

    Having successfully owned and operated a franchise for nine years, Gavin understands the realities of running a small business. His experience in business coaching and leading high-performing teams helps business owners build confidence, improve performance and achieve their goals. BA (Hons) Communication.

  • Hilde, Operations Manager for Digital Solutions, smiles at the camera with long wavy blonde hair and a bright blue top, set against a plain light beige background.

    Hilde Brunnbauer

    Operations Manager Digital Solutions

    Having owned and operated both fitness and digital marketing businesses, Hilde understands the realities of running a small business. She enjoys helping business owners embrace digital tools, improve their marketing and build sustainable growth. Diploma of Digital Marketing and Project Management.

  • Andrew Sauvage, Business Manager with Self-Employment Assistance experience, stands against a beige background with long brown hair, beard, and navy blue button-up shirt.

    Andrew Sauvage

    Business Manager Self-Employment Assistance

    Drew brings over 15 years’ experience across FMCG management, small business, and IT consulting. With qualifications in financial counselling and a background in engineering, he is passionate about systems-based thinking and supporting teams to improve outcomes for small business owners.

  • Andrew Jeffery, Principal Mentor with curly brown hair, black glasses and a checked shirt, smiling at the camera on a light beige background.

    Andrew Jeffery

    Principle Mentor

    Andy Jeffery is a Business Coach and lifelong entrepreneur who has built, grown and sold businesses in hospitality and fitness. Drawing on hands-on experience, he has helped hundreds of new and established business owners develop the skills, confidence and actionable strategies needed to build financially viable businesses.

  • Smiling woman with long, light brown hair, dressed in a white top and red earrings, standing against a simple beige background.

    Tania Proctor

    Digital Advisor

    With more than 20 years’ experience across advertising agencies, corporate marketing teams, and running her own marketing consultancy, Tania has helped businesses develop brands, create marketing strategies and deliver successful campaigns. She is passionate about helping small business owners embrace digital marketing to achieve sustainable business growth.

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    Dante St James

    Digital Advisor

    Dante St James is an entrepreneur, digital strategist and AI educator with hands-on experience building and scaling multiple businesses. As one of Australia’s three Meta Lead Trainers and the Northern Territory’s only LinkedIn Top Voice, he helps businesses turn digital opportunities into measurable business outcomes.

  • Smiling woman with wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair, dressed in a black top and necklace, standing against a light beige background.

    Larissa White

    Small Business Coordinator

    Having owned and operated her own restaurant for more than 19 years, Larissa understands the opportunities and challenges of small business ownership. She enjoys helping business owners build confidence, navigate change and achieve sustainable growth. Diploma of Leadership and Management.

  • A person with short dark hair and a moustache is smiling, dressed in a navy blue polo shirt featuring a TB True Blue logo on the chest. The background is a plain beige colour.

    Rifat Mahmud

    Digital Advisor

    Rifat Mahmud is a technology entrepreneur and business advisor with extensive experience helping Australian small businesses adopt digital tools to improve business performance. Specialising in AI, cybersecurity, websites, cloud solutions, CRM and automation, he provides practical advice that drives business growth and efficiency.

  • Smiling individual with straight, shoulder-length grey hair, dressed in a checked blazer, white shirt, and colourful earrings, positioned in front of a plain light beige background.

    Lauren Duffy

    Digital Advisor

    Lauren is a strategic marketer with 18 years’ experience across corporates, agencies, and startups – and a small business owner herself. She launched her own marketing consultancy 18 months ago and specialises in marketing strategy, digital marketing, and making the complex feel simple. She’s worked with over 60 Sunshine Coast small businesses through the Digital Solutions Program

  • A woman with long dark hair, dressed in a white blazer and white top, smiles gently at the camera in front of a plain, light beige background.

    Kasia Jones

    Digital Advisor

    Kasia Jones is the founder of McNaught Media, a Perth-based digital agency and Meta Business Partner, with 18+ years’ experience helping businesses simplify digital marketing and grow online. She supports business owners with social media, Meta ads, digital strategy, AI tools, email marketing, Canva, content creation and selling online.

  • Smiling person with wavy blonde hair, dressed in a bright pink blouse, standing against a light beige background.

    Sarah Thomson

    Digital Advisor

    Digital marketing trainer with 15 years experience, specialising in digital product creation, social media, AI tools, content strategy and online marketing. Passionate about turning complex digital concepts into practical, actionable knowledge that small business owners can implement straight away.

  • A smiling person with long blonde hair, wearing pink glasses and earrings, dressed in a white blazer over a black shirt, set against a light beige background.

    Liz Haselgrove 

    Digital Advisor

    Liz Haselgrove has been helping small businesses to be successful for over twenty years and has supported thousands of small businesses across Australia. She focuses on providing strategies that are easy to implement, and specialises in building websites with clients that are the cornerstone of their marketing plan. 

  • Smiling woman with long red hair, dressed in a black blazer and a colourful ruffled scarf, posing against a light beige background.

    Nicky Jurd

    Digital Advisor

    Nicky helps people feel confident with technology. By making websites, AI and digital marketing simple, practical and easy to understand, she empowers people to embrace technology with enthusiasm.

  • Ia Buenaobra

    Ia Buenaobra

    Digital Solutions Business Admin 

    As a Business Admin at BUSY Business, I enjoy helping clients connect with the right support and making things run smoothly behind the scenes. I’m passionate about creating great experiences and helping businesses thrive.

  • Cherylle Panimdim

    Cherylle Panimdim

    Digital Intake Officer

    Cherylle brings a multidisciplinary background across business analysis, systems support, operations, training and customer service. She is skilled at understanding customer needs and delivering practical solutions that improve processes and service outcomes. Cherylle holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and is a qualified Business Analyst with Six Sigma training.

  • Wesley Ferreira

    Wesley Ferreira

    Digital Advisor

    Wesley is a digital strategist, entrepreneur and business advisor with more than a decade of experience helping businesses grow through AI, digital marketing, CRM and automation. Passionate about helping business owners succeed, he combines strategic thinking with practical implementation to simplify technology, generate more leads and help businesses scale sustainably.