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Success stories

Meet the entrepreneurs and businesses Thrive supports

Thrive is all about positive change. So we're both humbled and proud to see inspiring refugee stories of how these entrepreneurs have been transformed through Thrive loans and business support, and how they in turn are making positive contributions to our economy and communities.

From tradespeople, domestic services providers, caterers, Uber drivers, designers and creative services suppliers, to commercial kitchen staff, handicraft experts, beauty parlours and leather workers, there are successful refugee stories waiting to be told in every industry.

Our Refugee Success Stories
Kinan Al Halabi

Kinan Al Halabi brings with him one of the most inspiring refugee stories to Australia. He came here from Syria when the war forced him to leave his country with his wife and son. In Syria, Kinan worked as an educator and decided to continue his teaching vocation by taking a course to become a driving instructor. After just one and a half years in Australia, Kinan was able to open up Be Taught Driving School with the help of a Thrive loan. The loan allowed Kinan to purchase his car and start his business. Kinan is also grateful that Thrive has provided him with a mentor that assists him whenever he needs anything to help him run and maintain his business. Kinan has been incredibly successful with his business and in part credits his success to Thrive.

Stephen John

Stephen John came from Pakistan to Australia in 2008 after fleeing from religious persecution due to his Christian faith. In Pakistan, Stephen trained as a successful lawyer for years prior to arriving in Australia. Here, Stephen pursued his postgraduate degree at Sydney University and went to University of Technology Sydney for his Juris Doctor. He received his unrestricted licence to practise law in August 2017 and opened his practice in September 2017 with the help of Thrive. Stephen, who is now the Principal Solicitor of Stephen John Lawyers, attributes the assistance from Thrive to making his dream of practising law in Australia come true. Thrive assisted him with business support that was smooth and simple in helping him generate leads and streamline his income. He is very grateful for the assistance Thrive has given him to achieve this incredible goal, and as a result, creating adding his name to the list of successful refugee stories Thrive has helped.

David Ghaterchi

David Ghaterchi came from Iran in 2012 as a refugee escaping persecution from the Iranian regime. His fiancé joined him soon after. The adjustment to life in Australia was somewhat difficult for a variety of reasons including language and cultural differences. In Iran, David worked as an accountant but found his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. With this in mind and a strong desire to work, he learned English and began to investigate small business opportunities. David's wife saw a story about Thrive in the media and encouraged him to reach out. Assistance was provided by Thrive in the form of a business plan, cash flow statement and finance to help him grow his Jim's Mowing Franchise. David prides himself on working hard and providing excellent customer service which has resulted in his business flourishing. Jim's Mowing offers him a flexible job which fits into his lifestyle and allows him quality time with his family. David credits Thrive with changing his life by helping him achieve his goals of becoming a successful business owner.

Success Stories Videos
A Refugee's Journey: Opening Chubby Chef Kebab in Melbourne
A Refugee's Journey: Opening Chubby Chef Kebab in Melbourne
A Day in the Life of: Kinan Al Halabi
A Day in the Life of: Kinan Al Halabi
A Day in the Life of: Saeed Zarinkob
A Day in the Life of: Saeed Zarinkob
A Day in the Life of: Sara Eidi
A Day in the Life of: Sara Eidi
What migrants to Australia need to know about money
What migrants to Australia need to know about money
Stephen's Journey to Stephen John Lawyers
Stephen's Journey to Stephen John Lawyers
Kinan's Journey to Be Taught Driving School
Kinan's Journey to Be Taught Driving School
Mojgan's Journey to 3sis Hair and Beauty
Mojgan's Journey to 3sis Hair and Beauty
David's Journey to Jim's Mowing Franchise
David's Journey to Jim's Mowing Franchise
Jamie's Journey to Oxin Signs
Jamie's Journey to Oxin Signs
Danny Drives to Success
Danny Drives to Success
Mirwais' Inspiring Road to Success
Mirwais' Inspiring Road to Success
Anyier's Journey from refugee to entrepreneur
Anyier's Journey from refugee to entrepreneur
Atefeh's Journey to owner of an Art School
Atefeh's Journey to owner of an Art School
Elham's journey to Elma Tree Coffee
Elham's journey to Elma Tree Coffee
Watch Ben Shavali rebuild his life with Imperial Joinery
Watch Ben Shavali rebuild his life with Imperial Joinery
See Saeed Zarinkob's journey three years after!
See Saeed Zarinkob's journey three years after!
Maryam's journey to pickle business owner
Maryam's journey to pickle business owner
A Day in the Life of: Kevork Bardizbanian
A Day in the Life of: Kevork Bardizbanian
Samer Balo's journey to Australia Post
Samer Balo's journey to Australia Post
Tial Chin's journey to Keen to Clean
Tial Chin's journey to Keen to Clean
Talha Gok's journey to starting a Pastry business
Talha Gok's journey to starting a Pastry business
VIEW MORE
Thrive Progress Update
Thrive Progress Report - September 2021

Thrive Progress Report - September 2021

Read up on Thrive's progress and see what we've been up to, such as the launch of our official blog and our Autumn Market showcase!

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Thrive Progress Report March 2021

Thrive Progress Report - March 2021

Keep up to date with Thrive's progress, learn about our Valentine's Day event and see Ben Shavali's journey. It's a great start to 2021!

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Thrive Progress Report December 2020

Thrive Progress Report - December 2020

Look at the initiatives we have taken in the last quarter such as Opening a branch in Newcastle and Thrive Connect events!

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Thrive Progress Report August 2020

Thrive Progress Report - August 2020

Stay up to date with Thrive today. See our latest activities, statistics, performance and more!

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Stay tuned to see how lives have been transformed.
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