Meet our Members

Founding member

Jamal’s Story – Drawing on my years of experience, especially with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enables me to successfully match buyers with sellers to achieve the right outcome for all parties. I enjoy building new relationships and learning about my clients’ houses and what makes them special. My strong customer service and good communication skills ensure I always maintain a strong rapport with my clients. I believe in keeping everyone informed with the latest developments to guarantee maximum satisfaction for all parties.

Constantly seeking to add value for my clients, I utilise the extensive resources of Place, and the competitive advantage of the Place brand. Always keeping a finger on the pulse with market trends, I know how to position your property to gain the best possible market result. With the strong support of the Place team, I am able to help my clients achieve an excellent return for their properties.

Core services include: Marketing and selling land, houses, units and town houses.

Founding member

Ricardo’s Story – After starting early in my career as an employee of one of Australia’s largest energy providers, I moved to Japan and started working for the Japanese Government. After a number of invaluable years, I was headhunted by a Tokyo based American/Japanese firm which led me to consulting with a handful of government departments such as Education and Training, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Japan Self Defence Force, and private companies such as ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Fujitsu.

On my return to Australia, I worked effectively and successfully as an IT recruiter representing one of the largest IT consulting firms in Australia. After numerous successes, I became even more intrigued in the psychology behind the recruitment of successful people. Having already obtained a Bachelor of Languages and Applied Linguistics and a Graduate Diploma in Training, I have continued to acquire qualifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, solution selling and extended my study to include Emotional Intelligence.

With my vast experience in psychological based coaching and training, I have developed a unique coaching process, delivering outstanding results.

Core services include: Coaching, Training & Consulting.

Founding member

Adriana’s Story – 

My role is to help you tell your story and grow your business. I’ll work with you to determine your unique selling points, develop a tailored strategy and implement cost effective marketing activities to build your brand both online and offline. After 20 years working both inhouse and as an external marketing consultant for government and private companies, as well as public relations consultancies in Brisbane and Sydney, I took a leap of faith and started up my own business. In 2013, I founded BacktoBasics Communication Services to help businesses develop solid foundations to build their business brand, and access affordable strategic marketing advice. With a bank of knowledge spanning diverse industries including property, technology, finance, insurance, retail, health, and tourism, I have a good handle on issues and effective strategies to reach and engage audiences in these areas. Happy to discuss your marketing needs with a FREE consultation.

Core services include: development of marketing plans, social media management, traditional media campaigns and copywriting for websites, newsletters and brochures.

Founding member

Mark’s Story – 

After moving on from Telstra, I focused my energies into helping clients manage their data. IT Managed Services forms an essential part of ensuring business practices are compliant and efficient to maximise performance.

Working for Centra Networks, I have developed a deeper understanding of the operational challenges facing organisations. Through technology, I can help business owners and manager achieve significant cost savings and reduce resources and time. Working with my technology team of experienced and accredited IT providers, we’re helping to make a difference. Together, we can improve productivity, and reduce your downtime.

If you’re seeking help with data security, working remotely, workflow management, or developing a cohesive enterprise IT infrastructure, let’s chat.

Founding member

Con’s Story – 

With many years of experience, I can make your event run smoothly, and serve delicious bespoke food to your guests. We work with you to ensure your needs and any special requirements are met. If you want to impress your guests, I can make that happen.

We have many long-standing repeat clients, which is testament to the extraordinary quality, value and service we offer. If you are requiring catering for an early morning breakfast, an afternoon grazing table, one of life’s important celebrations, or any kind of event, we can help you. We cater for small intimate occasions up to large events for 5,000 guests and everything in between.

Catering for all events in South East Queensland, we strive to make every event perfect.

Founding member

Andrew’s Story – 

In 2001 I bought in to a Print Franchise Network. It was here that I developed a range of skills around pre-press, digital and offset print, online print management, and more importantly; customer service.

I founded Appello Media in 2012 with a desire to apply my experience in the corporate and franchise sectors to delivering tailored print marketing solutions for our customers. Appello Media offers a comprehensive range of printed products including business stationery, marketing collateral and signage. With access to manufacturing hubs in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, we supply a diverse range of clients with high quality, competitively priced printing, delivered Australia wide.

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George’s Story – 

I named the restaurant after the stunning Santorini Island in Greece where I spent many wonderful years visiting my grandparents. Our success has come about through hard work and learning from past experiences both good and bad. Despite the ups and downs, I understand the importance of perseverance and developing a good rapport with customers.

Wholesome food and good value are at the heart of Santorini. My knowledge of Greece and the beautiful islands of Santorini and Corfu, where I lived and worked for many years has given me the insight to create the ideal dining experience at our Santorini Restaurant. Everything works harmoniously, transporting people to Islands of Greece through our signature dishes, wines, and ambience.

Santorini Restaurant Grill Bar is available for corporate events such as business breakfasts and lunch, plus fundraising for charities and, social celebrations including weddings. I’m very proud of what my family and I have built and look forward to sharing our culture and passion for food and wine with more Australians.

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Robert’s Story – 

Do you spend a vast amount of time working in your business only to discover that you now have to worry about keeping your Xero file up to date or even worse, realising that you have missed an important lodgement deadline. Wouldn’t it be nice to finish work at 5pm and head home to the family without having to worry about lodging your BAS on time, or finding funds for a large unexpected tax bill. This is where I can help!

My clients range from the single business owner trying to do everything on their own, right through to company directors managing a large team of staff and a multi million dollar business.

I love seeing business owners grow and thrive through every stage of business. So whether you are a startup business and need help setting up or a mature business that has outgrown your current accountant’s capabilities, we’d be happy to explore working with you.

Core services include: business accounting, tax planning, BAS statement. I also prepare strategies to reduce your tax and where possible, take advantage of any available government assistance packages.

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Felipe’s Story – 

With a Latin background (Brazil), and family orientated as most south Americans are, I have lived in Brisbane for almost two decades. I am a holistic business and life coach, registered clinical counsellor & Certified TRTP Practitioner for Men to Live an Authentic Life – and a Masters in Counselling, plus degrees in Journalism and MBA in Marketing of Services.

The differential of my work will lead you to find, in your own words, your answers and solutions to the challenges you are going through. My worldview is that everyone has the ability within themselves to thrive in life. Meaning by working with me you will find what you are searching for within yourself. I will only hold the space for you to stop, listen and see for yourself. I will walk alongside you to give you the support you need to access your healthy power within and release it to live an authentic and vibrant life full of vitality. I love to take my clients through the Authentic Journey. A Journey that can lead you to discover and connect with your deepest, truest self and liberate you from depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health issues. It is an invitation to live freely and authentically. Discover your authentic self and improve your mental wellbeing! Get in touch today!

Core services include holistic business & life coaching, standard counselling & trauma therapy (TRTP) for men to live their Authentic Life™.

member

Ashley’s Story – After uni, I worked in various Queensland Government Departments in a variety of positions, including Small Business Advisor, Business Migrant Support Manager, Marketing Manager at Education Queensland International and Trade Officer at Trade and Investment Queensland.  I was also posted to TIQ’s Shanghai Office for 3 years as Director of Business Development from 2006-2009, and from 2010-2020, I worked as Senior Manager at Brisbane Economic Development Agency, responsible for promoting Brisbane as a destination for international tourism, international education and MICE.

From my public sector roles, I gained extensive experience in Sino-Australian affairs, cross culture business relationship management, trade facilitation, international education and international business development and project management.

In 2021 I left BEDA to establish my own training organisation with a business partner.  Australian College of Tourism and Information Technology is a registered training organisation (RTO) and CRICOS provider that delivers training in nationally recognised qualifications under the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework).

Our college specialises in high quality training in tourism and information technology to both international and domestic students.  Our Management Team and Teaching staff are highly qualified industry experts and maintain close professional links to industry to ensure our training is at the leading edge of industry development.

We have also established university pathways with 6 Australian universities so graduates from our Diploma qualifications can enter the second year of a Bachelor’s Degree program in these universities.

Core services include: Training and assessment in Cert III to Graduate Diploma qualifications in Travel, Tourism, Event Management, Hospitality, Commercial Cookery, Information Technology and Individual Support , training in micro-credentials in tourism and IT, Study Tours, Professional development study tours for teachers, RTO consultation.

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Lee’s Story – Having decided to move to Brisbane meant I had to find a new career. I moved into the automotive industry becoming a predelivery manager, overseeing new car delivery and installation of fitted accessories as well as reconditioning of traded and purchased vehicles.

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Troy’s Story – From my start with a Credit Union, I then moved over to one of the Major Banks, where I worked as a Lending Specialist for 7 years. I spent some time in the Norther Territory, both in Alice Spring and then in Darwin. 

After 3 years in hot humid conditions, I decided to make the move to Sunny Brisbane, where I have been for almost 10 years. 

I moved into the Broker space about 7 years ago as I wanted more options for my clients. I have built a strong network and reputation within the broker industry here in Brisbane, and have built many friendships along the way, not only with work colleagues but clients as well. 

In December of 2022, I decided to make the decision to start my own Mortgage Brokering Practise and founded TAP Mortgage Solutions. My passion for helping people from all walks of life shines through, whether it be their first home or their first investment property.