Steve Millott helps Cobargo businesswoman secure grant

Sharleen Salter, owner of The Country K9 Parlour with Cobargo RFS president John Walters in front of her donated dog grooming van.

9 July 2020

Community Lead for Bega Valley’s free virtual Business Support Drop-In Centre, Steve Millott helped owner of The Country K9 Parlour, Sharleen Salter do something she would never have been able to do on her own - secure a bushfire recovery grant.

The building which housed Sharleen’s dog grooming parlour in the main street of Cobargo was damaged when the summer bushfires tore through the township in January. The parlour suffered severe smoke damage, roof damage, the ceiling fell in and most of Sharleen’s grooming equipment and furniture were destroyed.

Shortly afterwards, the Mindaroo Foundation lent Sharleen a purpose-built van to use until she could reopen the parlour. Two teams built the van for Sharleen. The trailer builders completed their work over a weekend and the interior builders worked nightshift for a week until it was ready.

Sharleen parked the van in the backyard of her rental property and opened for business - for two weeks – before COVID-19 hit.

In June, another Cobargo businessowner recommended Sharleen get in touch with Steve Millott from the virtual Business Support Drop-In Centre, about getting a bushfire recovery grant.

Steve identified the support available to Sharleen and laid out a plan to access the support. It was challenging at times, with Steve encouraging Sharleen to keep her eye on the prize, to keep moving forward and not give up.

“It takes time to gather the evidence and do the paperwork, but you can’t drop the ball,” Steve said.

“I put a lot of myself into this process and I will keep it moving - follow up and provide feedback – to keep my client focussed so we can get to a resolution.”

Their hard work paid off, with Sharleen securing a grant.

“Steve was amazing,” Sharleen said. “He went through every step with me, explaining every little thing as we progressed. He helped me fill in the forms and answer all the necessary questions.

"To be honest, if it wasn't for Steve’s assistance, it would never have gotten done!"

Sharleen’s next challenge is getting a temporary accommodation pod to live in, as her rental home is up for sale. Her mother’s home was destroyed in the bushfire and as soon as it has been cleared, Sharleen hopes she might, through the Help Getting Help initiative, secure a pod. Then she’ll look for a container or shed to store her furniture and belongings.

Steve Millott is a former business owner. He is passionate about delivering outcomes that benefit your objectives, sustainability, profitability and growth. Steve wants to make a difference – and can.

Steve will meet with you (via Zoom or phone call) to understand the current state of your business, identify your immediate and medium-term business needs, create a roadmap specific to those and refer you to relevant services available through a range of different providers.

If you need business support, don’t self-assess - get in contact with Steve now via [email protected] or 0413 606 982.