Monique Muusers is one of almost 20 Port Macquarie-Hastings business operators vying for a gong in the Mid North Coast regional business awards.
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The winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards presentation tonight, September 14, at Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges.
The owner of Frankie's Travel is line for the outstanding young entrepreneur award. Holly Jackson from Endota Spa is another Port Macquarie-Hastings nominee.
Monique described the award nomination as "a nice pat on the back".
"It just shows that I must be doing right," she said.
"This nomination also gives me a lot more confidence in myself.
"I was quite surprised to be a finalist for the regional awards and this is a real boost for my confidence to know that I am being noticed out there in the business community.
"It also shows that the hard work is paying off," she added.
Ms Muusers praised the federal government's NEIS program as playing a major part in her business success.
"NEIS provided intensive support, including training, mentoring and income for job seekers who want to start their own small business," she said.
"I can't speak more highly about the NEIS program.
"It is quite daunting and scary to start a business. NEIS provided a great platform for me to get the business started.
"I now have three wonderful mentors who are really great for all different reasons. We pump each other up and support each other a lot.
"My mentors are providing me the next stepping stone in a business sense."
The regional awards are designed to acknowledge business excellence across a number of diverse areas in the region including manufacturing, education and health care services.
It is great to see so many businesses that are outstanding examples of the successful industries we have here on the Mid North Coast.
- Kellon Beard
Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber regional manager, Kellon Beard, said the awards provide an exceptional opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase the success of our local businesses.
“It is great to see so many businesses that are outstanding examples of the successful industries we have here on the Mid North Coast," he said.
The gala dinner and awards presentation is on Friday September 14 at Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges.
Finalists at the regional level comprise winners from local chamber awards from across the Mid-North Coast including MidCoast Chamber Business Awards, Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards, Macleay Valley Business Awards and the Sunny’s in Coffs Harbour.
Winners of the 2018 Mid North Coast Regional business awards will represent the Mid-North Coast at the NSW business chamber’s state business awards held in November in Sydney.
The Port Macquarie-Hastings finalists include:
- Outstanding Young Employee - Angela Murphy, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie; Casey Kettle, Bundaleer Care Services, Wauchope
- Outstanding Young Entrepreneur - Holly Jackson, endota spa, Port Macquarie; Monique Muusers, Frankie's Travel, Port Macquarie
- Outstanding Business Leader - Stacey Morgan, Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Small Business - Barbushco, Lorne; CS Mechanical Repairs & Services, Wauchope
- Excellence in Business - EIRE Constructions, Port Macquarie; MBC Recruitment, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Innovation - North Coast Commercial Doors, Wauchope; Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Export - Cassegrain Wines, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Sustainability - Barbushco, Lorne; Whalebone Wharf, Port Macquarie
- Excellence in Social Enterprise - OCTEC, Port Macquarie
- StartUp Superstar - Sandbox, Port Macquarie
- Outstanding Employer of Choice - Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie; Majestic Cinemas, Port Macquarie
- Local Chamber of Commerce - Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce
