North West Business Development Centre Inc.

Alan Thorpe

International Incubator Graduate of the Year 2009

Began in the incubator with zero revenue in 2002 & Graduated from the incubator in 2007, winning the Client of the Year award in 2006

In 2008, Alan constructed 20 work units within a previously under-developed area in Port Adelaide. While his revenue has grown to $2M from his building business, he significantly, plans to retire as all units within his new development have been sold. In 2008, 2 Graduates (Arborman Tree Solutions and Intramar Freight Forwarding) purchased units and now accommodate their businesses within Alan’s complex. (refer article attached). Todd St worked with the 3 clients in question, including provision of intensive programs to accelerate growth to ensure they achieve these goals.

A word from Alan Thorpe.

I would like to write about the fantastic support that I have received from Lyn Hay and her team at Todd Street Business Chambers while I was a tenant there and also since I have left the incubator. Firstly, when I arrived at Todd Street in 2001 I was taking a big risk in starting my own business but felt confident that I could succeed. Todd Street provided me with a great deal of professional support including reception, office space and (an ever expanding) area for my business to store materials and work in. I am sure that we pushed the boundaries on more than one occasion as we kept growing probably taking up space that we shouldn’t have. Lyn gave me personal and professional mentoring and always seemed to help me find solutions to problems as they came up. This was especially important at one stage when our books were in a mess and she found us a great person who still works with me as an employee today.

When we (finally) left Todd Street, it was important that our reception service and the administration support they had provided over the years, continued during a 3 month transition period. This is where the virtual tenancy service became very useful for us. Todd St gave me the confidence and realisation that working in the Port Adelaide area did provide great business opportunities. I would not have invested in my new business complex if I had not had the experience in the incubator (which is just around the corner from my current business location). It was also important because Lyn and I now have an arrangement in place to encourage other Todd St graduates to buy (as 2 have this year) or rent the business offices and workshop space that we have constructed. I was also privileged to win the local business award this year and the incubator client of the year award in 2006. Todd Street helped me win and also organised media exposure for the company afterwards (at no cost to me). Both myself and my staff have appreciated the incubator concept and look forward to an ongoing association with the Todd Street Business Incubator and other graduates.