SUCCESS STORIES
Congratulations to all our clients who have taken a step towards starting or have started their own business. We value your history, your sacrifices and your courage to rebuild. Motivation for starting a business can vary, some have been business owners previously, others have a particular passion or skill whilst others see the path to business ownership as a better way to support their family and community. What ever your reason, Thrive is here to support you along your journal.
October 2024
Darwich Sido, a Journey from Refugee to Entrepreneurial in Australia
In 2016 Darwich Sido arrived in Australia, hoping to build a better life for himself and his family. Originally from Syria, he came as a refugee and quickly adapted to his new surroundings. Within a year of arriving, Darwich found work as a tailor in a factory, where he honed his skills and learned the trade. However, he always had a dream of owning his own business, and after some time working in the factory, he decided to take the leap.
In 2019 and with business and promotional support from Thrive, Darwich opened his first tailor shop in Jesmond Shopping Centre (Jesmond, Newcastle, NSW), which quickly gained popularity due to his attention to detail and exceptional customer service. His tailoring business, named Sido Tailor, became a local favourite, especially among the multicultural communities in Newcastle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked tirelessly, creating masks for the community, often with the longest lines in the shopping centre. His commitment to serving the community during this challenging time further boosted his reputation.
Seeing the success of his business, Darwich wanted to ensure a prosperous future for his children. In 2022 with finance support from Thrive, he opened Newcastle Barber in Marketown Shopping Centre for his two sons, Mohamad and Khalil, providing them with a pathway to entrepreneurial success. The barber shop quickly thrived, becoming known for its quality service and strong ties to the community.
In August 2024, Darwich expanded his tailoring business, again with business and promotional support from Thrive, and opened a second branch of Sido Tailor in Marketown Shopping Centre in Newcastle. His story of perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit has been widely recognised. His contributions to the community have not only boosted the local economy but also fostered cultural understanding and inclusion, making him an inspiring figure in the Newcastle region.
Darwich has been interviewed by various media outlets, including TV, radio, and newspapers, and his journey has been documented and showcased at multicultural festivals across Newcastle.
Darwich’ story is one of determination, resilience, and success. As a refugee, he overcame numerous challenges to not only build a thriving business but also to provide opportunities for his children. Today, he stands as a role model for refugees and aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that with hard work and dedication, success is within reach. His contributions to the community have not only boosted the local economy but also fostered cultural understanding and inclusion, making him an inspiring figure in the Newcastle region.
Darwich Sido, Syria, now Newcastle NSW
At the opening of second Sido Tailor in 2024. From left to right: Thrive NSW Manager Gus Nehme, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Darwich Sido.August 2024
Atefeh Hekmat, Iran, now Wentworthville NSW
Atefeh Hekmat is an inspiring woman from Iran who arrived in Australia in 2013. She is a qualified Psychologist and professional Photographer / Artist and University Lecturer. She is a qualified Psychologist and professional Photographer / Artist and University Lecturer.
Since arriving in Australia, Atefeh has been very involved with local communities; working with Settlement Services International (SSI) as a spokesperson for refugee women events; and running solo exhibitions at Blacktown Hospital and Nepean Hospital in Kingswood.
Atefeh has always had a passion for the Arts and after arriving in Australia she started running art classes in her home garage for local adults and children. Atefeh also successfully sold her art works and paintings online through the online store bluethumb, at art exhibitions (endorsed by SSI) and through Facebook. After her art classes grew significantly with student intake, Atefeh decided to expand her business and open an Art Studio in Wentworthville for her large number of students. To do this, she was successful in receiving a business loan and planning support from Thrive Refugee Enterprise.
Atefeh’s successful Art Studio continued to expand and eventually the business outgrew her studio space. Thrive assisted with a second business loan and the business planning support to plan and secure a new larger and well located studio and cafe in Carlingford, where her business today thrives with 90+ students.
Q & A with Atefeh Hekmat
What have you most valued about the support you receive from Thrive?
I believe that Thrive is a complete package to help start any small business. To start a successful business, you need a good business plan and the finance to implement the plan. Thrive helped me to create a great business plan and provided me with the necessary support, including finance for my business to get started.
What was the biggest challenge that Thrive was able to support you with?
Until I met Thrive, my biggest challenge was the difficulty getting finance. I had the industry know-how, skills and understanding to start a business, but in terms of money to set it up, I did not have this until Thrive helped me to realise my dream business.
What are your aspirations for the future?
My ambition is to one day start an Art Institute that offers a broad range of fields of study in the arts for students. Ideally this would be located in metropolitan Sydney.
June 2024
Samiulla Noori, Afghanistan, now Auburn NSW
Samiulla is an inspiring person and highly skilled Engineer from Afghanistan who first arrived in Australia in 2007 on a student visa with his wife and 6 children to study Engineering, returning to Afghanistan on completion in 2011. However, after the Taliban took over in 2021, he and his family returned to Australia as refugees and settled in NSW.
Samiulla became a Thrive business loan and business planning support client in May 2023.
Samiulla acquired a Bachelor degree in Auto Mechanical Engineering in Kabul in 2004, and prior to coming to Australia the first time was an electrical supervisor for four years with the United Nations. In Australia he commenced his Advanced Diploma in Communication Engineering at TAFE.
In 2011 after his visa expired, Samiulla returned to Afghanistan with his family. From 2011 until 2013 Samiulla worked as a Chief Engineer on projects with the US Embassy where he specialised in Perkins & Caterpillar engines for which he received training in the UK. From 2014 until 2021 Samiulla was a contractor as an Auto Engineer in Baghram Air Base for the Australian Embassy.
After the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, Samiulla left Afghanistan for Australia with his mother, his wife and their 6 children on a 449 Visa. In May 2022 he received a Protection Visa. Since arriving in Australia a second time he has completed a Certificate 3 in Light Vehicle Technology and a Certificate 4 in Automotive Diagnostic Technology, helping him to find employment with local mechanic operations.
In May 2023 after securing a business loan with business planning support from Thrive (this included start-up costs for an auto shop plus equipment, and developing a detailed business plan), Samiulla was able to secure a lease to open his own mechanics business workshop. Since opening, the business is expanding and to meet customer demand, two of Samiulla’s sons have since joined the business part time.
Samiulla Noori
Nationality: Afghan
Lives: Auburn, NSW
Family in Australia: Wife, mother and 6 children
Languages: Dari, English
Thrive Business Loan Approval: May 2023
Qualifications
*B.A. Mechanical Engineering, Kabul
*Advanced Dip. Communications Engineering, AU
*Certificate 3 Light Vehicle Technology, AU
*Certificate 4 Auto Diagnostic Technology, AU
*Holder of Motor Mechanic license NSW
More Success Stories
Thrive supported Atefeh to start her dream of an art school. Here Atefeh shares her journey to Australis and with Thrive.
Saaed had already started his business when he approached Thrive for additional support to further develop his ideas. Here, our NSW Thrive Manager, Gus, visits Saaed at his Dark Blue bakery.
Thrive supported Samer to a path of self-employment as an owner driver through training with Australia Post and providing finance to purchase his own van.
David learnt about Thrive’s services through his wife and after a process of business planning, he was supported with a loan to start a Jim’s Moving business.
Kinan was a teacher in his birth country, he transferred his skill to start a learn to drive business with the support of finance and mentoring from Thrive.
Thrive supported Elham to purchase a Coffee Van business in 2019 and have since provided further funding for a second van.
Maryam was able to start her pickled food business with the support of Thrive, including financing to purchase food processing equipment.
Tial approached Thrive to help her start her own cleaning business under Keen to Clean to help support her own family and her extended family in Burma.
Help at the right time from Thrive has allowed Stephen, who was a lawyer in his birth country, to set up his law practice in Australia.
Opening of Chubby Chef Kebab in Melbourne.
Thrive supported Ben to start his own cabinetry and joinery business.
Kevork had already started his automotive business when he approached Thrive for additional support and finance to grow his business.
Together with his business partners, Talha approached Thrive for support and finance to start their biscuit manufacturing business,
A visit to Dory Fish and Chips which started with a business loan from Thrive.
Danny shares his experience on how Thrive supported him to start his uber driving business.