Lee’s new enterprise

Two years ago, just walking to the letterbox was a huge challenge for Lee. She had spent five years suffering from brain lesions that caused MS-like symptoms such as blurred vision and fatigue.

“Some days I couldn’t walk, other days I couldn’t talk,” she said. “But I didn’t give up.”

When her illness went into remission in April 2009 it heralded a fresh start for the single mother of three.

“I turned 40 and decided to take a risk and do something with my life,” she said.

In August 2009 Lee started an eight-week New Enterprise Initiative Scheme (NEIS) Program through Mission Australia Employment Solutions. NEIS helps participants gain TAFE-level small business qualifications free of charge while receiving a government allowance.

After conducting market research, Lee identified a need for an eatery in Adelaide’s Modbury Heights that sold affordable, healthy food. With the help of one of our NEIS business mentors, Megan, she created a business plan and by December had opened the doors of Spud-a-licious.

Lee now employs her eldest daughter and is doing a great trade.

“NEIS gave me an overview of what I had to do,” Lee said. “It’s given me a new lease on life.”

Lee was recently nominated for the ‘NEIS Change’ award in the 2010 National NEIS Association Awards. This award recognises the achievements of an individual who has experienced the biggest turnaround in their life thanks to the NEIS program.

While Lee did not win this award, Mission Australia’s South Australian NEIS Manager, Warren Silverston, said the small business owner was certainly worthy of recognition.

“Lee has worked so hard to get her small business up and running. She’s faced some enormous obstacles in her life and to see her achieve success in her enterprise is terrific,” he said.

In 2009-10, 945 people took part in our NEIS programs. Of these, 700 started their own business.