At the age of 40 Bevan had a motorcycle accident and became a paraplegic, confined to a wheelchair. Soon after, he was made redundant in his job as a carpenter.
Bevan resolved not to let this setback prevent him from having a successful career.
He decided that he wanted to start a specialty store for doors and locks in Toowoomba. He was eligible for assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme to help him open his small business.
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme helps eligible unemployed people start and run their own small business. Through the scheme, job seekers like Bevan are provided with training, support and help to become self supporting and independent in the first years of the business.
‘The small business management training I received from the Business Success Group helped me to develop a sound business plan so that I knew what I was doing before venturing out on my own’, Bevan said.
‘The mentoring visits over the 12 months gave me the opportunity to discuss any concerns I had about the business and gave me the encouragement and confidence to succeed’.
Over the last 10 or so years, Bevan’s business Door ‘n’ Lock Centre Pty Ltd has expanded. The business started with two employees and a one tonne delivery utility and now has 11 employees, three utilities, two trucks and a forklift. The business’s annual turnover is now over $2 million, and was awarded the National New Enterprise Incentive Scheme Association Business Awards 2004 Hall of Fame Award.
Even now, Bevan uses the business principles he learnt through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme: ‘we continue to have a working business plan which is monitored to keep us on track to where we want the business to be in the short, medium and long terms’.
Dock ‘n’ Lock Centre is also an equal opportunity employer, employing people from different backgrounds and abilities, single parents and people with disability. Bevan is proud to have provided on the job training to unqualified employees. Bevan said, ‘I found myself very attuned to people who just need an opportunity to succeed in life’.
Running your own business can be fulfilling and may give you the flexibility you need to maintain employment. By taking up the support that is freely available, you may eventually be able to give employment opportunities to other people with disability.
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