Successful life and business coach steps into key role
Published on 22 November 2016
Rockhampton’s new Smart Hub Business Manager says our region is the perfect place for an entrepreneur to establish a start-up business.
Elize Hattin brings a unique suite of business and life skills to the recently-created key role within Rockhampton Regional Council.
For someone with such an impressive international resume and who has experienced so much business success, Ms Hattin can’t wait to get stuck in to her “first foray into employment”.
Ms Hattin is a life, business and executive coach who has spent the past nine years running her own successful business from right here in Rockhampton, her adopted “home”.
She can’t wait to support and guide those looking to establish themselves at the Smart Hub.
Ms Hattin said the Smart Hub was a space where people could start-up or grow their business in a collaborative and innovative environment.
Last week, the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions Program announced it would provide $2.27m to match Council’s contribution for its smart technologies and business incubation hub. The Smart Hub is a key part of this strategy.
"It’s a real privilege to work with such a progressive Council,” said Ms Hattin, who was born in South Africa and lived in the UK for a number of years.
“I believe in our region, I believe in this initiative and I believe in helping other people succeed.
“The Council is very much focused on creating the right environment and positioning Rockhampton as a great place to start and carry on business.”
While plans are well advanced to fit out a new state-of-the art Smart Hub facility, currently six businesses are operating out of a premises on Quay St. It’s a real mix with a software developer, Hardware Company and a nutritionist all involved.
“I am talking to new businesses every week,” Ms Hattin said.
“We really are hoping to help as many people as we can and give them every opportunity to succeed.”
She said a pricing structure was still to be finalised for the Smart Hub, but it would be “low and affordable”.
“We want business to start here, outgrow our space and move into the CBD,” Ms Hattin said.
As well as collaborating with other business people “in the same boat”, Smart Hub operators will be able to take advantage of quality-based education programs.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said Council was focused on setting the right business environment for the future.
Mayor Strelow said Ms Hattin would bring great energy and experience to the Smart Hub and give those involved in the project every opportunity of success.
She welcomed last week’s funding announcement and said project work was expected to ramp up on the state-of-art facility in coming months.
For more information email Elize Hattin at elize.hattin@rrc.qld.gov.au