For Andrew Willebrand, owner of A1 Yard Maintenance, growing a business in regional Queensland has been a journey of continuous learning, adaptation and finding the right support along the way.
Based in Central Queensland, Andrew and his team provide lawn and garden maintenance services, primarily supporting older Queenslanders to maintain their homes and independence.
After purchasing the business just over 4 years ago, Andrew built on the foundations established by the previous owner. Starting as a solo operator, he steadily expanded the business, which now employs up to 12 workers during peak periods, and 5 employees year-round.
As the business grew, Andrew began looking for support to help navigate the challenges that come with employing and managing a workforce.
“I was looking for guidance and more expertise as a new business owner,” said Andrew, “and at that point in time, I didn’t know anybody who had grown a business to the point that I had.”
After seeing a Workforce Evolve Facebook advertisement about an upcoming workshop in the area, Andrew signed up for the free program with an open mind, hoping it would introduce him to new opportunities. At the very least, he saw it as a chance to connect with other business owners and learn more about the support available to regional businesses. Andrew attended his first Workforce Evolve workshop, delivered in partnership with Advance Rockhampton, the economic development unit of Rockhampton Regional Council dedicated to showcasing the region to residents, tourists and investors alike.
The experience proved to be just what Andrew needed, providing him with an opportunity to build local business connections, explore workforce solutions and access information relevant to the challenges facing his business.
“My objective was to try and find more labour help. Labour is just hard in general, right?”
Meeting with the Workforce Evolve team earlier this year at the Central Queensland Small Business Expo, Andrew sought help connecting with migrant jobseekers in his local area. “Finding good labour is tough. I have unique problems in my business of mowing lawns. It is tough and physical work that not many people can do.”
It was here at the Central Queensland Small Business Expo that his Workforce Coach was able to connect him with the local contact for Multicultural Australia’s Diverse Queensland Workforce Program. Thanks to their specialised knowledge of the local labour market, Andrew was able to connect with a more diverse candidate pool, that helped him explore options for addressing seasonal staffing challenges.
“I don’t need full-time workers; I need six-month workers, and then they can move on, do their own thing, and Visa workers are perfect for that.”
For Andrew, one of the most valuable aspects of Workforce Evolve has been the opportunity to engage directly with businesses, service providers and support organisations.
Since that first workshop, Andrew has discovered other support systems available to regional businesses. As someone who is committed to learning and improving his business, Andrew values opportunities to gather information and hear different perspectives.
“I am trying to soak in as much information as I can and then just trying to utilise it and better myself and my business.”
While every business growth journey looks different, Andrew says Workforce Evolve helped him find a starting point and build valuable connections along the way.
“With Workforce Evolve, for me, it gave me somewhere to start,” said Andrew. “It helped me get to the next step.”
Today, Andrew continues to focus on growing a sustainable business while delivering an important service that helps older Queenslanders remain independent in their homes. He encourages other small business owners to attend workshops and explore support programs available in their region.
“You never know what opportunities present themselves.”
“Workforce Evolve is a good starting place. We need more free programs like this to help the new guy. I bought a business and had no idea what I was doing… you just attend one of these and see what happens.”
