Who is Lighthouse?

The Lighthouse owners have extensive business experience having worked in a range of industries before branching out on their own. Both have a background in psychology, which gives them a good understanding of the principles and theories behind how people communicate and interact. They then branched out to specialise in the various aspects of business development and management.

Candice has over 30 years' experience in all facets of marketing communications. She has managed both local, national, and international campaigns for government and corporate clients, developing and implementing communication strategies aimed at engaging stakeholders; influencing perceptions; or selling products. Candice has an Honours degree in Psychology and well-established business and innovation experience, including applied knowledge of many of the tools and techniques used within the innovation ecosystem. She also has experience in analysing results and reporting against milestones both at a campaign level and as it relates to business performance.

Anna's focus has been on all aspects of business administration including analysis and development, fiscal management, governance and workflow management. Anna's educational experience is a little unusual starting with Honors in Psychology, a degree in Systems Analysis and, a Master of Commerce. Anna is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Director's and Harvard's Business School Executive Education Program. Anna has worked in the Public Sector, academic research, allied health, venture capital and Not for Profit Sector as well as having run a food business prior to Lighthouse.

Together they have supported and mentored over 8,000 businesses, developed several award-winning events and programs, and enjoyed the challenges and opportunities that being in business brings.

The Lighthouse Motto

Lighthouse firmly subscribes to the view that people are front and centre of any business and that providing opportunity and support leads to self-empowerment and independence. We see success as people having the belief in themselves to make positive choices in their lives whether it be starting, growing, or exiting a business, taking on a new job or hobby, changing life circumstances or engaging with the broader community.

So, what have we done?

Lighthouse was established to provide a 'heavy lifting' advisory role to prepare individuals looking to take an idea to market and prepare others to get investment ready. Lighthouse started in the typical way with an innovative idea, negotiating a lease, completing a fit out, employing staff and setting up marketing, accounting and management structures and protocols. Lighthouse also set about evaluating the one-to-one versus one-to-many approach to training and support.

Over the first 30 months Lighthouse met with more than three hundred unique businesses, supported several 'start up' investment networks, facilitated commercialisation efforts at the ANU and University of Canberra and participated in multiple grant selection panels including DTF and ICON. In each of these roles, Lighthouse worked one-on-one with individuals at various stages of their business development to review, revisit and pivot their business models where necessary, prepare them for the changes that investment would bring to a business or helped them improve their pitches for grant funding.

Entrepreneur Development Fund

The Panel experience has led to Lighthouse supporting first time and experience grant applicants. We do not write applications, but we provide a unique lens on how to tailor them to better suit the needs of the applicant and the intent behind the support program. Based on this we also created our own grant program with the support of local government. The aim was to work with established businesses that required specialised services to help take their product or service to market. The EDF supported several companies in the early stage of product development who have now become multi-million-dollar companies https://www.lighthouseinnovation.com.au/funding This program supported Lighthouse's approach that a small amount of support can make a significant difference.

ACT Microcredit Loan Program

Lighthouse was engaged to develop and deliver a microcredit loan program on behalf of the ACT Government for women on low income. This was one of the first accredited microloan programs for business in Australia. In 2014, the program expanded to assist anyone wanting to start a business but could not access traditional loan funds. The program has several eligibility requirements and provides loans of up to $3,000 interest free and between $3,001 and $10,000 low interest (3% flat interest) for more established businesses. All participants in our microcredit loan programs have access not only to funding, but also ongoing support during the duration of their loan. In 2011, the ACT Microcredit Loan Program was recognised as best practice by Federation of Ethnic Communities 'Councils of Australia. Lighthouse also launched a program in NSW and has provided loan funding to businesses in other states. The program continues to date and has provided over 250 loans to businesses in the food, creative, allied health, educational, IT and light manufacturing sectors.

Teen Start-Up Camp

Lighthouse has developed several other award-winning programs including Teen Start Up. This program came about after Lighthouse introduced the adult Start Up Camp concept into the ACT in 2009 and parents wanted to get their children involved in the innovation development process. The 'Start Up' Program is based on short, intensive collaborative events that encourages participants to develop their own innovative ideas in fields as broad as Aviation, First Responders, The Science of Everyday, Digital Design, People Power, and the One Hundred Year Life. Lighthouse further refined this offering by developing specific programs to integrate into the Business Studies curriculum for middle school including, Science in Business and Sustainable Cities.

Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS)

Lighthouse was the only ACT based business offered a grant under the Federal Government Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) program. Lighthouse received an Austrade Excellence in Service award for comprehensive and diligent delivery of the program. The core of the program was a proprietary interactive tool that allowed a business owner to do an assessment on four key aspects of their business. Based on the outcome we worked together to develop a plan to address any identified short comings. At the end of the program the business owner re -id their independent assessment. This unique approach enabled the business founder to be in control of its own remedial path and business outcomes. Over the two-year program Lighthouse worked with around 280 unique individuals or enterprises.

Canberra Business Advice and Support Service (CBASS)

The SBAS program further highlighted our skills in managing and delivering large scale programs and we are currently delivering the Canberra Business Advice and Support Service (CBASS) and an affiliated program. In the past 18 months we have worked with over eight hundred local entrepreneurs and business offering a range of general business support services including business reviews, suggested governance, financial and marketing strategies and referrals to pre vetted professional service providers.

Export Awards

Lighthouse participated in the National Export awards delivering Masterclasses in 2017 and 2018 and the ACT Export awards since 2019. Lighthouse has been solely responsibility for designing and delivering the ACT Export Awards between 2021 and 2025. We have developed a number of unique ways of dealing with local exporters including digital storytelling during COVID.

Prior to this Lighthouse was pivotal in designing and delivering the Canberra Point Small Business awards in conjunction with the Canberra Business Chamber. The award ran for 3 years.

Initiatives

Lighthouse has also developed a number of creative one to many formats to encourage networking and collaboration including Festival of Ambitions Ideas, Canberra Business News, the Capital Export Community and Interesting People doing Interesting Things. These activities were influenced by the Medici approach that bringing people from diverse backgrounds together always gives rise to better solutions and outcomes. In 5 years over 2,500 people have attended these curated events.

Business Reviews

Lighthouse has conducted a range of complex business reviews into existing government and private programs and resources. Examples of these were the sustainability options for a Not-For-Profit (Innana Inc), a review into Sport Canteens and Food Vending Machines at public venues (e.g. hospitals) for the ACT Government, a review of the Arts Sector in the ACT, Governance review for the Canberra Writer's Centre, review and recommendations for the Federal Government Telework initiative, researching and preparing consumer articles for the Pharmacy Guild, review of private proposals seeking investment funding or regulatory approvals.

Private clients

Lighthouse also provides contract Company Secretary and marketing services to companies across Australia and globally. These services range from minute taking through to governance and marketing reviews and completing complex audits and coordinating regulatory reporting requirements.