In December 2019, Jason and Kerryn Page relocated their branding, design and digital studio Quisk from Gilbert Street, Adelaide to Fullarton Road, Kent Town.

Kerryn said they were attracted to the area’s high concentration of knowledge-based firms and the opportunity this offered for further growing their business.

“Everything on that side of Kent Town and the fringe of Norwood is all professional services and we wanted to be a part of that hub,” said Kerryn.

“Also, not wanting to be in the city, but on the city fringes, this makes it accessible for people to come and see us.”

Jason and Kerryn purchased their premises in a building housing four other suites and Quisk has already taken on two of their neighbours as clients. Those neighbours – building designers and an engineering firm – have also collaborated on a project.

The professional, scientific and technical services sector is the council’s second-largest sector by both the number of businesses and number of employees.

Kent Town and its immediate surrounds are home to 98.3 per cent of these jobs, in a cluster that has grown organically.

Within it is a strong representation of architects, engineers, accountants and business advisors, marketers, software engineers and lawyers.

Quisk has been nominated for this year’s Eastside Business Awards, which are run by Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council and open to the more than 7000 businesses in the area.

Council is particularly keen to acknowledge the contribution of businesses within the knowledge economy.

The awards are one of the largest competitions of their kind for a South Australian council, with each winner receiving $1000 of advertising plus $1000 in business advisory services.

Last year, GR Phones won Best Customer Experience and Best Independent Retailer. The phone and device repair business was started by Rajesh Patel, a biomedical engineer, and his wife, Gautami, an accredited practising dietician.

Gautami said they had always harboured ambitions of being business owners, even while their careers were taking off elsewhere.

“In 2012, my phone broke. At that time, there weren’t many people repairing iPhones. Because Raj is from an electronic and electrical engineering background, he did some research and saw the field had a lot of opportunities,” said Gautami.

The Norwood store is their fourth and they have plans to expand interstate, helping to fulfil their vision to divert broken devices from landfill and, ultimately, reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, Raj’s passion for engineering sees him continue to upskill – motherboards are his latest focus.

Gautami said the phone repair industry needs an association and certification standards, and that being trustworthy was imperative for attracting and retaining customers.

Trust is something she feels played a part in GR Phones winning the awards.

“Everything is on people’s phones. People are very cautious when giving their phone to someone they don’t know; they have to trust you.”

This notion of trust is something echoed by Dr Derek McNair of The Parade Norwood Veterinary Clinic, which won Eastside Business Awards Hall of Fame 2021.

The Parade Norwood Veterinary Clinic

“I understand the trust that’s put on us when people come to us with their four-legged family member,” said Derek when asked about why people may have voted for the practice.

“A lot of people who come into the clinic are under a bit of stress because they’re worried about their pets. So, hopefully, we can reassure them.

Derek credits his practice’s success to his “personable” staff and especially his wife and son, who also work in the business.

“I set up (twenty-five years ago) with my wife… I couldn’t run the business without them.”

To nominate and vote for a business, visit eastsidebusinessawards.com.au