By Kyra Gillespie
Some of the South-East region’s best businesses are vying for this year’s Casey Cardinia Business Awards.
In the lead up to the gala presentation dinner on Friday 27 October, Star News will profile the nominees in each category, this week focusing on new business and people’s choice.
New Business:
Aligned Leisure
Managing Cardinia Life health club since 2015, Aligned Leisure is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary company of the Richmond Football Club, established as a vehicle to manage the operations of Richmond’s health, fitness and leisure business activities.
From the Olympic Way centre in Lakeside, Pakenham, Aligned Leisure’s primary goal is to align programs and services with unique community priorities as outlined in the local Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plans.
“Our programs and services are not about us, they are about our partners and they will, at all times, be in total alignment with the needs of the specific community that we are servicing,” Aligned Leisure Pakenham’s Simon Bryson said.
“Supported by the people and business systems of the Richmond Football Club and the AFL, Aligned Leisure can deliver unprecedented additional value to our community partners.”
Part of its services include provision of a health, fitness, nutrition and resilience program to every primary school in the region at no cost to the school, implementation of anti-bullying programs to primary schools and establishing youth leadership programs in local sporting clubs to identify the next group of young local leaders.
Davey Marine
Pakenham’s Davey Marine has built a reputation as South-East Melbourne’s premium Honda dealership. The company prides itself on quality, whether it’s for an engine service, electronics upgrade or custom fit up of a new vessel.
Staff are fully qualified and their mechanics are highly trained using the latest in diagnostic equipment. Davey Marine’s Electrical Technicians are also trained on the latest in marine electronic systems.
“We’re retail and service specialists for a select range of new and used recreational boat brands and accredited dealers for Honda Marine, Blackdog Cats (New Zealand) and Edencraft Boats Australia,” Davey Marine Pakenham’s Adam Davey said.
“We also operate a Compleat Angler franchise from our retail outlet and sell an extensive range of boating accessories and safety gear.”
Ideas Ministry
Ideas Ministry specialises in making brands do the selling for its clients.
Natalie Birch is the creative director of the Casey-based business.
“We combine our great ideas with expert skills in graphic design and marketing and collaborate with other creative professionals like photographers, web designers, copywriters and printers to offer a complete branding solution which reels in your dream customers,” Ms Birch said.
Ms Birch has immersed herself in graphic design and creative art for more than 15 years. She was taught by the same lecturer who taught children’s book illustrator Graeme Base of Animalia fame.
“We see things differently at Ideas Ministry. Anyone can design but it takes personality to come up with great ideas. We’re boundary pushers. Alternative explorers. Your business think tank.”
People’s Choice
Enhance Yoga
Berwick’s Enhance Yoga offers Pilates, yoga and barre and prides itself on embodying all that is health, and with that, all that its members form part of its Enhance Tribe.
The yoga and wellness studio is the first of its kind in Melbourne’s South-East to offer the unique styles of barre fusion, calligraphy flow and vinyasa flow yoga as well as workshops in a purpose-built studio.
Director at Enhance Yoga and Qi Gong and yoga teacher Adam Beardsley was a multiple Australian National Wushu title holder, competing abroad in the World Championship representing Australia from his years training kung fu / wushu.
Adam with his wife and director Suyinh Beardsley call their operation a family business.
“We always had vision to not have just a studio but to have a wellness centre and to share our knowledge with others,“ Adam said.
Twisted Sista
Founded in 2011, Twisted Sista has put a twist on expectations by combining a modern cafe with a gelateria.
Launching their first store in Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, Sam and Martha Di Salvo wanted to create an original and authentic place to indulge the senses.
“Twisted Sista was born from a vision to create an atmosphere of fun and excitement with a menu based on the freshest ingredients delivered with exceptional personalised service,” Sam said.
“Twisted Sista is renowned for incredible gelato displays, a welcoming atmosphere and a customer experience that is as visually exciting as it is delectable.
“In short, creativity, amazing presentation and damn good food is at the very soul of the Twisted Sista brand.”
In its six years of operation, the family-run business has won seven retail excellence awards, including the prestigious Best Retailer in Victoria Award by Westfield.
“Over the years this inspired us to push the boundaries of business to see what we were capable of. We put everything we had into the business and worked harder than ever before,” Mr Di Silvo said.
“We are offering something new and unique in casual dining.”
Village Way Cafe
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of busy Lakeside, Village Way Cafe offers everything needed for relaxing brunch with friends.
Conveniently located a stone’s throw away from Cardinia Road Station in the Lakeside Shopping Centre, Village Way Cafe is renowned for its welcoming staff and generous meals.
“I was really quite shocked to hear that we had be nominated,” cafe owner Laura Celona said.
“I really think it’s because of the excellent staff, they create such a welcoming atmosphere. Because of that it’s not just a normal cafe, it’s a place where people open up about their day or any problems they might be having.”
With two chefs on site, Village Way offers catering and hosting for events and birthday parties, as well as all-day breakfast, lunch, coffee and cakes.
“It’s all made with love and served with a smile.”
