The winners of the 2017 Perks Business Boost Awards were announced last night at a cocktail event at Electra House, and each will receive $15,000 worth of professional services tailored to their business needs, along with a $5000 cash element for the startup category.

Now in its second year, the Perks Business Boost Awards was created to assist South Australian start-ups and established businesses across all sectors and industries, to bring their business ideas to life and assist their growth.

More than 50 entries were received across both categories, but the two winners were Michael Williams with his novel startup business, TenantOptions, and James Carigg and Aaron Box with their unique drive-through coffee shop in Enfield, First Things First Coffee, who took out the award in the business growth category.

TenantOptions’ aim is to redefine and automate many of the outdated and manual processes that typically create friction and frustration for applicants and property managers using SmartReferencing Technology, resulting in improvements for the entire real estate industry.

First Things First Coffee is a first for South Australia, serving breakfast, lunch and of course, coffee to more than 4000 people each week without needing to leave their car. Carigg and Box believe customers shouldn’t have to choose between a good cup of coffee and a quick cup of coffee.

Perks Managing Director, Mark Roderick, said they were very impressed with all the submissions and it was an enormous task to shortlist the finalists and ultimately select the two winners.

“Our State is teeming with creative ideas and entrepreneurs and Perks is proud to be able to provide invaluable support to the winners at a time when professional services and advice is most needed in order to succeed, but generally wouldn’t be accessed,” Mr. Roderick said.

Perks Chairman, Rob Chapman, said the Perks Business Boost Awards is a wonderful initiative supporting the robust entrepreneurial spirit in South Australia.

“I see that spirit every day, so we need these Awards to continue growing and developing our young business ideas – all of which need advice to excel, which Perks is well placed to provide,” Mr. Chapman said.

“We congratulate Michael, James and Aaron on their efforts to amaze the judging panel with their creativity and look forward to seeing these businesses flourish.”

Michael, James and Aaron will receive essential professional services tailored to their business needs, from budgeting, forecasting and finance, to human resource management, business advisory and mentoring from Perks, through to public relations and graphic design services supplied by Michels Warren PR and China Shop Graphic Design. In addition, Michael will receive $5,000 cash to assist TenantOptions on its path of success.

Category 1: Start-up finalists

1. TenantOptions (Michael Williams) – Winner
2. OrganiQ (Sally Paech)
3. Fun guy Fungi (Daryl Clarke)
4. The Drip Club (Kim Papp)
5. Miniprobes Pty Ltd (Robert McLaughlin)
6. Abbott Witness Services (Rebecca Abbott)

Category 2: Business growth finalists

1. First things First Coffee (James Carrigg & Aaron Box) – Winner
2. Kids Camera Action (Chloe Gardner)
3. The Online Director Pty Ltd (Robyn Koldej)
4. PEAQ Conditioning Coaching (Sean Baker)

To find out more about Perks, visit www.perks.com.au or call 8273 9300.

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