Searching for advice

Jo Reiter had ambitious plans for her Darwin-based advertising agency, Adzu. Yet she found it difficult to obtain the necessary support from her bank. Jo also needed help with cash flow management, a common problem for small businesses. “It was a real challenge to get the buy-in from my existing bank, so I was forced to look elsewhere,” says Jo.

“After taking my business plan to the Commonwealth Bank, they immediately saw the potential for growth and found Adzu to be a secure and viable business. I haven’t looked back since.”

The first priority was Jo’s cash flow management challenge. “My Local Business Banker has been very hands-on in helping to keep Adzu tracking in the right direction financially and helping me to manage my business cash flow.

“I’ve also received great support during the re-branding of the company and in facilitating Adzu’s move into larger premises. It’s an exciting time for the business and feeling confident about having the right financing and funding in place is so important,” says Jo.

In recognition of her achievements, Jo was recently awarded the Northern Territory Small Business Champion Entrepreneur award for 2007. As Adzu’s director, she was recognised for delivering creative excellence and instilling a positive corporate culture that helps to both attract and retain outstanding staff. 

Jo is now hoping to expand Adzu interstate and overseas, into booming Asian markets such as China.