Today we are introducing you to Daniel who runs Strait Removals, a successful furniture removal business in The Torres Strait.
Strait Removals is a 100% Indigenous and family-owned professional relocation and removals service, based on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. They go the extra mile to provide seamless, fast and efficient relocation with a reliable and professional team. Strait Removals focus on their clients’ needs to ensure that they can deliver an exceptional service every time.
Daniel has been running his business for three months now since buying it from the previous owner. He has been checking in monthly with Many Rivers business coach, Rita, for guidance on how to run a small business.
“At first when I got into it, I had double thoughts and doubts about it, but it turned out to be perfect, a good opportunity for me.”
Meet Daniel
My business is furniture removals business. But we also can do dump runs so if people are cleaning up their place we can take their rubbish for them and take it to the dump. We also help with the yard and clean the yard and cut the grass. I have three boys working for me at the moment. They are casual.
I was a carer before I made contact with Many Rivers. I was a bit everywhere – I did line-marking for five months in Townsville. I also did do banana work. And then I got into caring for a relative.
Working with Many Rivers
There are a lot of things that Many Rivers does. The main thing is support, so knowing that someone cares about me and cares about the business. I meet up with Rita about once a month.
Rita has been helping me with keeping me updated with payments with the loan. Rita also helped me with business planning and cash flow forecasting. She also helped me with my website at the start.
I got a loan to get things started. I purchased the business from someone else and I needed the loan for that.
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge has been basically everything! Running a business is new for me so managing that has been hard but I am getting there.
Biggest Success
The biggest success would be that I am the only one in my family to own a business. The success is running this business and letting my family know that I am out here to do something.
Future Goals for Strait Removals
I hope that I can keep expanding this business and making us well-known and hopefully we can do that!
Thanks Daniel for sharing your business journey with Strait Removals so far. We are excited to be joining you on this journey as it continues.
We love to encourage more people to take the first step towards kick starting their small businesses ideas.
Do you want to make your small business dreams a reality? We’re here to support you the whole way.
Please take the Small Business Self Assessment and see if we are right for you.
Keen to read about another Many Rivers client story? Read about Maurice, an Australian singer and songwriter, who’s lyrics are inspired by the beautiful Victorian landscape.
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