The Journey of a South Coast DIGITAL Start-Up
Agile, Educational and Futurist
The Digital Business Hub Projects, in conjunction with our affiliate partners are committed to developing digital leadership for business professionals and communities on the NSW south coast.
Why?
To create digital jobs and new career opportunities for youth and career changers in regions with high unemployment and low economic growth. To build awareness around emerging technologies and help to close the digital literacy gap.
In 1988 our founder Tricia Pye started her first co-working space in one of Wollongong’s most iconic buildings The Tudor House where she offered business support and admin services to 15 in-house businesses including accountants, IT professionals, specialist doctors, strategic business planners and many more. The business quickly grew into a provider of IT and business services training to many external companies including Illawarra Area Health Services, Commonwealth Rehabilitation Services and Wollongong University patrons.
After moving to Batemans Bay in the Eurobodalla in 2002 Tricia has committed the past 5 years to studying the benefits of change brought about by disruptive technologies, agile methodologies, cloud computing innovation and the benefits of transformation long term for each business and community as a whole. All in all Trish has over 30 years experience in transformative technologies, business training and digital literacy and during this time has worked with thousands of individuals, councils, chambers of commerce, companies, schools and students to help close the widening gap in digital literacy.
Trish with the help of the iAccelerate program at Wollongong University Innovations Campus (pictured far below) developed a 5 year digital strategy and business model for a Eurobodalla Shire Business Hub and Co-working space which was established in Batemans Bay in 2012 to assist in business mentoring, developing digital footprint strategies and help to educate staff and local business on and the impact of brought about by immerging technologies and the internet of things. The project was pitched to Eurobodalla Shire Council Leaders.
Collaboration, Education, Promotion, Digital Literacy Skills Development
Where it all began 2012-2013.
Original Concept Creative Co-Working Space and Business Launch Program Batemans Bay
Project Stage one below
(Retail Is “DEAD”) trial creative co-working space and retail community hub located in Batemans Bay was the regions first creative space for businesses to collaborate and build a business model during the trial there have been several success stories as indicated in the image below including. Many thanks go to Adam Porteous Principal of Raine and Horne Batemans Bay for providing us with the space to test and measure the experiment and for his commitment to developing local youth as a major sponsor of the internship program My Digital Careers Program.
Stage 2 – The Business Hub Australia 11 Orient Street, Batemans Bay The Business Hub moved to Orient Street for Stage 2 or the trial. During this time hundreds of local business professionals, chamber representatives and startups came through the doors to work together and learn how to transform their businesses online using the internet, social media and digital marketing and support services. The Business Digital Business Accelerator Program was beginning to take shape. In collaboration with Sarah Cooper Business Development Manager at Eurobodalla Shire Council as part of the “Renew Eurobodalla” and RARE Project
Stage 3 – The Business Hub 12 Month Digital Marketing and support services. Youth Digital Internship Program and The Business Accelerator Program. Space provided by Michael Harris Manager at The Village Centre Batemans Bay. Here the Digital Accelerator Program was born with the purpose of providing South Coast and Eurobodalla Business with Digital Support and Education.
The Tec Exec and other local businesses (see below) have provided funding to over 30 local youth who have been trained in Social Media Marketing and Content Management. These youth have interned, on location to provide digital support and mentoring to non-tech-savvy business professionals and in return, the business professional has shared their valuable experience and business knowledge with interns to provide career options and advice.
All interns have gained employment, gone on to university or are at school and ready to hit the workplace with the knowledge to succeed and stand out.
Stage 4 – The Technology Hub move to BayLink and change of brand
The fourth and final stage of a south coast startup
Regular mentoring sessions and digital education programs are conducted in the high tech training rooms at BayLink. Students learn how to prepare for success in the digital workplace and are training in Social Media Marketing, Virtual Teams and Website Support Services.
We have worked and studied with companies and Entrepreneurs from around Australia and the globe to develop innovative training programs in Digital Transformation, Developing Digital Leadership and working in Virtual Teams.
Project Sponsors:
We would like to say a sincere thank you to the following businesses who have supported this project from the beginning and sponsored out Youth Digital Internship Program. Without you, none of this project would have been possible.
The Tec Exec Pty Ltd, Camerons H Hardware, South Coast Electrical Services, Beaches and Bush Properties, Depot Beach Cottages, Merryn Snare, Sue Weatcroft, Charlies Tackle World, Loud Graphic Design, Priors Bus Service, Batemans Bay Dive Adventures, South Coast Windscreens, Bay Coast Metal Roofing.
Find out more 1300 366 802 or send us a message.