Asuria is thrilled to announce that three outstanding individuals from the Self-Employment Assistance program have been shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious 2025 National Self-Employment Association Business Awards, celebrating excellence in supporting Australians to launch and grow successful small businesses.
The National Self-Employment Association (NS-EA) Business Awards recognise the dedication, expertise, and transformational impact of those working within Australia's Self-Employment Assistance program. For over 35 years, the Australian Government has supported more than 250,000 people to start their own small businesses through Self-Employment Assistance, and these awards honour the individuals who make this success possible.
The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of 12 November 2025 at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour in Sydney, as part of the NS-EA's Annual Conference celebrating 40 years of self-employment support in Australia. The gala dinner and awards presentation promises to be an inspiring evening recognising the sector's finest contributors.
As a leading public service provider, Asuria supports thousands of Australians each year through services spanning employment support, training and education, justice, business start-up services, and health and wellbeing programs. We couldn't be prouder of our three finalists, whose nominations reflect the breadth of our impact and the transformational power of quality business mentoring and support.
Our 2025 NS-EA Award Finalists
Business Champion Award: Nik Lazarevski
Nik Lazarevski, Senior Business Mentor at our Shepparton site, has been shortlisted for the Business Champion Award – a recognition that truly reflects his exceptional dedication to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and fellow Business Mentors across Victoria.
Since joining Asuria and the Self-Employment Assistance program in July 2022, Nik has become what his colleagues describe as the "Swiss army knife" of the team. His extensive industry knowledge and clear communication enable Business Mentors across the organisation to deliver outstanding support to participants.
Nik's impact extends far beyond his local region. He serves as the central contact point for referrals from employment providers across regional Victoria and has worked with over 50 participants across more than six regions in the past six months alone. He coaches Business Mentors in conducting effective mentoring conversations, reviews business plans with a critical eye, and has been instrumental in onboarding new staff by creating supporting documents to help them navigate systems and manage compliance.
Whether providing backup during absences or stepping in when workloads become overwhelming, Nik consistently goes above and beyond. He makes himself available for questions with no judgement, embodying the principle that "no question is a silly question."
Among his success stories, Nik supported Lydia Thomson, featured in Channel Ten's Start Me Up series. With no prior business experience, Lydia worked with Nik to launch a female-only lawn mowing business designed to encourage women to rejoin the workforce after experiencing domestic violence. From obtaining her ABN and insurance to developing marketing strategies, Nik's mentoring helped Lydia establish a successful business that has now hired its first employee.
BizCover Change Award: Andrew Dobson (Upcycled Wood Designs)
Andrew Dobson, owner of Upcycled Wood Designs in Albury, NSW, has been nominated for the BizCover Change Award – recognising the remarkable transformation of his custom furniture business through the Self-Employment Assistance program.
After 20 years in corporate sales and completing an MBA, Andrew felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue his passion for furniture making. He purchased Upcycled Wood Designs at the tail end of COVID-19, but faced significant challenges including cash flow issues, poor sales, and high overheads that forced him to work at a hotel to supplement his income.
Recognising he needed structured business support, Andrew joined the Self-Employment Assistance program in March 2024, where he was paired with Business Mentor Brad Lodding. From their first conversation, Brad helped Andrew see his business situation more clearly. A practical cash flow spreadsheet gave Andrew an entirely new perspective, helping him realise the significant impact of relocating from an expensive commercial lease to a purpose-built workshop at his home property.
The mentoring sessions provided structure, focus, accountability, and most importantly, belief in his plan. The results speak for themselves: Andrew achieved a net profit of $25,000 for the six-month period from January to June 2025. His business, which specialises in creating high-quality, handcrafted furniture using sustainable and upcycled materials, now operates from a home workshop where Andrew is more present with his family and less stressed about expenses.
Beyond the financial turnaround, Andrew's business champions sustainability through the use of recycled and reclaimed materials, reducing landfill waste and promoting environmentally conscious design. As the business grows, Andrew plans to offer apprenticeships to help young people learn the craft of furniture making.
"Brad's mentoring not only gave me tools like a practical cash flow sheet but also helped reframe my thinking and boost my confidence when I needed it most," Andrew shared. "The mentoring sessions gave me structure, focus, and most importantly, belief in my plan."
BizCover Change Award: Claire Wu (Breathe Into Peace)
Claire Wu, owner of Breathe Into Peace, has also been nominated for the BizCover Change Award, showcasing how the Self-Employment Assistance program helps participants transform personal challenges into thriving businesses.
As a physiotherapist who struggled with anxiety and stress throughout her life, Claire discovered that controlled breathing had a profoundly positive impact on her wellbeing. This personal observation led her to create Breathe Into Peace, a discreet and attractive necklace that doubles as a breathing aid.
Claire discovered and engaged with the Self-Employment Assistance training and mentoring program, which proved instrumental in helping her focus her business priorities and take decisive action. Through brainstorming sessions with mentors and coaches, she learned to expand her product range and distribute her products through gift shops and online sales. The program's support enabled her to access new networks and customers, encouraging further innovation and business growth.
As a result of this support, Claire has become a motivational speaker, industry leader, and even a published author, empowering others to overcome anxiety and achieve their goals. Her business collaborates with First Nations artists for journal designs and works with Beyond Blue and Reach Out Communities to help people suffering from anxiety and stress.
Innovation remains at the heart of Breathe Into Peace, as reflected in their patented product. Winning awards and being recognised as a leading industry figure has further motivated Claire to inspire and help others.
"Having a coach helped me to focus on what was a priority, especially in the beginning when I needed to find distributors and increase sales," Claire shared. "The mentoring and accountability kept me motivated, even when I felt a bit disappointed about sales results. This journey has been incredibly empowering. Becoming a motivational speaker and helping others to reach their dreams through my business has been something beyond my imagination."
Celebrating Excellence in Self-Employment Support
These three finalist nominations reflect Asuria's deep commitment to delivering high-quality Self-Employment Assistance services that genuinely transform lives and businesses. From Nik's sector-leading mentoring excellence to the remarkable business turnarounds achieved by Andrew and Claire with dedicated mentoring support, each finalist exemplifies the passion, expertise, and impact that defines excellence in self-employment support.
Nicole Grainger-Marsh, CEO of Asuria Australia, said: "We are incredibly proud of Nik, Andrew, and Claire for being recognised as finalists at the 2025 NS-EA Business Awards. These nominations reflect the exceptional dedication, expertise, and genuine care that our Self-Employment Assistance team brings to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs across Australia.
“Whether you're a Business Mentor supporting others or a participant building your dream business, these finalists demonstrate what's possible when passion meets expertise. Congratulations to all three – you make us proud every day."
The Self-Employment Assistance program provides free expert guidance, training, and ongoing mentoring to help eligible Australians launch and grow sustainable businesses. From initial idea exploration through to business establishment and growth, participants receive comprehensive support including business planning, financial management training, marketing strategies, and ongoing mentoring.
The winners will be announced at the NS-EA Awards Gala Dinner on 12 November 2025, following the association's Annual Conference celebrating 40 years of self-employment support in Australia. Regardless of the final outcomes, these three finalist nominations stand as powerful testament to the quality, dedication, and impact of Asuria's Self-Employment Assistance program.
To find out more about the Self-Employment Assistance program delivered by Asuria, visit asuria.com.au/self-employment
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