GAIA Skin Naturals founder Michelle Vogrinec often wonders “how the hell did this happen?”.
In 10 years her Hallam company has grown from one employee to 14, and a $100,000 turnover to almost 50 times that.
She received a nomination for the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Premier Regional Business Awards at a breakfast at Sandown Greyhounds, Springvale, on 12 December.
It started in her kitchen when she was searching for something to soothe her son’s eczema.
“It turned into something so much more,” Ms Vogrinec said.
Men’s range GAIA Made for Men followed an overwhelming response to GAIA Natural Baby, then GAIA Pure Pregnancy and GAIA Skin and Body Care.
Ultimate Laser in Dandenong was also a nominee.
Business development manager Andrew Pleysier has been there five years and said the company had found a niche in laser cutting and developed its skill base.
It started in 2004 with one machine, one building and three staff and now has seven machines – including waterjet machinery – four premises and 45 employees.
“The growth has been organic,” he said.
“As new business has come in, we’ve had to supply the product.
“We’ve had to invest in more machinery.”
Springvale Nursing Home was the final nominee.
Facility manager Reasmey Sab has lived in Springvale since she was in Grade 6, after her family fled Cambodia.
“Springvale is my home town,” she said.
Ms Sab nursed her grandmother while in Year 11 and went on to study nursing, and has a passion for aged care.
“It’s got challenges,” she said.
“But when they say ‘thank you’ it really touches my heart.”
The nomination came through a family member of a resident who wanted to acknowledge the nursing home’s good work.
It accommodates people of 17 different cultural backgrounds.
Staff have training in cultural diversity, there’s an emphasis on bilingual skills, and an Asian menu is available.
Alma Robinson was the morning’s Youth Enterprise Award nominee.
She combines her love of drawing with buying and restoring old cars.
She bought her first at age 14 and is currently working on three.
When completing Year 10 she started a Certificate III in Automotive (Vehicle Body – Vehicle Paint) at Chisholm Institute’s Dandenong campus and started working at Pete and Ricks Panel Works in Traralgon.
Working through her apprenticeship at an accelerated rate, she will complete her three year degree in two years.
She’s also started her Certificate III in Administration to learn about how a small business operates, plans to study automotive air-brushing techniques, and hopes to one day run her own business.
Guest speaker Peter McVeigh told the breakfast about his 152 days, 1700 kilometre trek across Nepal.
In 2010 he bailed on a Gold Coast schoolies trip and went to Nepal instead.
“I was blown away by the experience,” he said.
“I knew I had to go back.”
So he did, and four months ago he returned to Australia as the youngest person to traverse Nepal’s Great Himalayan Trail – the only one to finish from the group of four he set out with.
“I’m a more confident and peaceful person,” he said.
It was at a Grade 5 camp he discovered his love for exploring and the outdoors and he’s now determined to inspire other children to get active outside.
He has plans to take a mountaineering course in New Zealand next year and a book is in the works.
He donated his appearance fee from the breakfast to a remote hospital in Nepal.
The Premier Regional Business Awards are designed to profile and highlight successful businesses in the region.
Winners will be announced and presented at the Gala Dinner in March next year.
