InStyle Publishing Pty Ltd, WA

Mike and Alison Clarke, Directors of Instyle Publishing, knew they had all the skills to produce quality magazines but were self-confessed novices when it came to the "business end" of running a company.

Today, Instyle Publishing, produces three magazines and won the 2004 'Best New Business' Award at the Swan Business Awards as well as being finalists for 'Best Home-based Business'.

Throughout his career, Mike Clarke worked in various roles in the Building Industry including Sales & Management. Alison has worked in print media for the past nine years including everything from the local newspaper through to glossy magazines.

Their last role included working with each other at the local magazine, Mike selling advertising space to the Commercial Industry while Alison focused on the luxury home market.

After working too long under difficult circumstances, Mike and Alison decided it was time to try things their own way and inquired about the NEIS program with ABS. The Clarkes found the mentoring assistance to be the most valuable tool to their business.

"We truly believe that we just wouldn't have made it without the mentoring from David and his staff and in particular Richard Currey. David's encouragement and experience as a publisher was invaluable as too was Richard’s experience as a printer."

"The program helped us to stand on very shaky legs initially, gave us the enthusiasm to pursue our dream which was to be accountable to no-one but ourselves."
- Alison Clarke

Being very hard workers, Mike and Alison knew they had the determination to succeed. The NEIS program taught the couple that is was OK to give the business a go and if they didnt have all the answers, there would be someone to ask the questions to.

"We gained self assurance to believe in ourselves again. Without the NEIS Program and ABS we know that we didnt have the skills to commence our own publishing company. With their belief in our abilities, we finally believed in ourselves." - Alison and Mike Clarke