About Sharon Kelley

If you're one of Canberra's best and brightest entrepreneurs, you probably already know about First Wednesday Connect at the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN). The monthly event gives entrepreneurs and founders one minute on stage to 'pitch' to the gathered crowd and introduce their idea to get word out about their business and change the world. The businesses at First Wednesday...

A passionate and experienced property manager, Charlie Evans is the head of residential property management at VERV Property, one of Canberra's most progressive boutique real estate businesses. As a licensed agent for ACT and NSW, Charlie is able to capably execute legislative requirements and is devoted to delivering outstanding service to her clients. Many people know Charlie in her professional...

What comes across talking to Luke McAuliffe is that he is very clear about the responsibility he carries for his clients. “When you present as a professional, you should be professional, you’re handling their biggest asset. These are things that people lose sleep over – it’s a life-changing decision they’re making." His empathetic approach to his clients has brought him...

Amanda Gordon's voice is calm on the other end of the phone. It's a trait that is vital to her role in property management. Conflict resolution, and ensuring a good experience for both tenants and landlords is her aim, and she works every day to make that happen with her team of property managers at McIntyre Property Group. Amanda was...

Much has been reported about the benefits of working from home, but for some people, home is not a safe place. Those who work from home are more exposed to people who are responsible for domestic or family violence, and one woman a week is murdered during domestic violence incidents in Australia. The issue raises some interesting points about policy...

In this century, it's difficult to understand why epilepsy still carries a stigma, and why those people who have the condition feel they need to hide it from others. Many famous and talented people throughout the ages have had epilepsy: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charles V, Joan of Arc, poet Lord Byron, artist Vincent van Gogh, the artist formerly...

Kellie Chalker-Hall grew up in Canberra and has lived in Tuggeranong for most of her life. Her qualifications are impressive, as was her 17-year career with Deloitte Access Economics. After she earned her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canberra and gained experience in various marketing positions, Kellie began working in marketing and sales with leading economist Chris Richardson,...

Fiona Ligertwood found her lifelong passion after a high school work experience placement in a dental practice. She studied in Perth, attaining her dental qualifications at Curtin University, and after marrying a military man, moved to Canberra around nine years ago. “As a high school student, like most 15-year-olds, I had no idea what career path I was intending on...

Ethitrade International founder and managing director Zoe Piper competed against nine other startups in Canberra to win the 2020 Canberra Innovation Network Innovation Showcase. Competing pitches for the showcase flew thick and fast, but Zoe’s was a standout for the approach that her startup has taken, to empower microbusinesses in emerging markets and provide reputable information to consumers about where...

There has been more than a 60 per cent increase in cyber attacks on small-to-medium businesses during the past 12 months, according to Damien Samios from SOLVit. Damien is a local Canberran, who was raised in Lyneham, and he is the third generation of small business owners in his family, who is leading cyber defence for businesses in Canberra. SOLVit...

Podiatry, and podiatrists, are the health professionals you turn towards to treat anything to do with your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists are trained in the treatment of ingrown toenails, pain caused by growth spurts and high impact sporting activity, diabetic feet, sports injuries, wound care and all kinds of conditions related to our feet, gait and posture. A...

What does it take to be rated among the top 50 real estate agents in Australia by Real Estate Business (REB)? Cameron Whitnall is one of them, and while he is proud of making the list, he's quite a humble guy. However, one thing is certain: he is a very good businessman who believes in giving back to the community....

Peter Chamberlain is a local Canberra business owner, whose parents instilled in him and his brothers the importance of giving back to the community by supporting others during their time of need. Not only did these values lead to Peter and his siblings creating the Chamberlain Foundation, but they are also core principles he and his business partners have instilled...

Henry Posch started Monaro Windows in 1988 and established the business's reputation for quality, service and manufacturing their own quality assured products in their Queanbeyan factory. The business thrived, and in 2014 Henry's son, Dan Posch, bought the business off his father and he continues to run a manufacturing plant at Queanbeyan, where they make their own products and employ...

When MJ Qail and Tam Bakr sat down for a coffee 12 years ago, they came up with a grand business idea. They launched Big Impact Media just before the global financial crisis of 2007-2008, against the advice of everyone they knew. The innovation and startup sector knows well that if your product is good enough, demand will be there...

The ACT Government proposal to replace the current Employment Agent Licensing Scheme with a new labour hire licensing scheme is designed to enforce compliance with employer and workplace obligations. But it may need further scrutiny, and federal and state organisations responsible for compliance may need to work together to ensure an effective national scheme prevents unscrupulous or disreputable companies operating,...