Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge the fantastic achievement of a Darwin business owner whose revolutionary adaption of the traditional shopfront earnt him a place in the finals of the 2013 Australian Innovation Challenge Awards. Clinton Hoffman, founder of Ambrose Business Solutions, was shortlisted in the community services category for his innovative Walkabout Your Business pop-up village concept, a concept which has been opening plenty of eyes to alternative business models since it first began two years ago. Mr Hoffman has told me that he believes the pop-up business village concept will provide substantial opportunities to all Australians to establish low-cost, readily available business infrastructure and that it will go a long way towards providing opportunities for Indigenous Australians to maximise business opportunities that exist in their towns and communities.

Shopping villages will be created from shipping containers. Would-be entrepreneurs can start businesses in a safe, supportive environment with low overheads and access to finance, with ongoing support provided to on-the-ground staff by qualified business mentors. The containers are usually rented out for between $300 and $500. They can be painted, insulated and have windows—so it all looks like a real, proper shop. There is no limit to the enterprise opportunities for the pop-up business model. If you have got imagination then you should get in touch with Mr Clinton Hoffman. Congratulations to him and the Ambrose team.

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