KickStarting her Small Business Dream with NEIS

If you have a business idea you’re interested in pursuing, the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) could be just the assistance you need. The program provides small business management training, financial and mentorship if eligible.

Jackie Bollen was working as a physiotherapist when her mother heard about the NEIS program. After a quick internet search, Jackie decided to find out more.  She said, “I just went to my jobseeker place and they gave me a number to call. I filled out the application and I was in.”

The NEIS course teaches financial planning, legal and taxation requirements, marketing and business protection and insurance, advertising and promotion, and bookkeeping. Jackie said, “It gave me the knowledge and tools to be able to plan my business so that there were no surprises and I felt comfortable in what I was doing.”

Enrolling in NEIS at Box Hill Institute in early 2019, Jackie developed a business plan that she was able to implement in October, starting KickStart Physiotherapy to promote a proactive approach to health and wellbeing.

Jackie said working with her mentor during the program was really enjoyable and the support has been absolutely invaluable. Being able to ask the mentor any questions when she was stuck is one of the benefits she gained from the course.

With a background working as a physiotherapist in a range of settings including hospital, aged care and private practice, Jackie has treated children, elderly, athletes, weekend warriors and everyone in between. She initially ran her business by herself but her team has now grown with an additional physiotherapist and an office manager.

Jackie said, “Our clients are mostly people with disabilities; participants of the NDIS. We do get a few private clients and we did have a contract with a private residential aged care facility but I decided to leave that.

“KickStart Physio is a unique business because our services are completely mobile. We see clients in their homes,” she said.

For those thinking of starting a small business, Jackie highly recommends the NEIS program. She said, “It is so good and the time, effort and commitment will be returned tenfold because you plan ahead and are prepared for things.

“I am very grateful to have been part of NEIS and thank everyone who is a part of it for their support and assistance in starting my business.”