Location

Gardening Services Broome 1 (GSB1) is located in Broome, a major regional center in the Kimberley. It supplies regular garden maintenance services to individual homeowners as well as real estate companies and the Department of Communities. 

Background

The creator and driver of this business is Glenn Deegan. Glenn is a proud Nyamal man and was brought up in Port Hedland but has lived in Broome since 2013. 

Glenn is very open and honest about his life over the last 15years or so. A painful marriage breakdown put Glenn in a very dark place. He lost his job with BHP and found he had no plan or purpose in life. As its often the case, Glenn sought refuge in alcohol and drugs. His life spiralled downwards as he got into trouble with the law and spent time ‘inside’.

“From having everything I suddenly had nothing. The hardest thing to deal with was losing the respect of my family and friends and become estranged from my children.” Glenn said. He felt he had burnt all his bridges and planned to kill himself. 

“Just at the critical moment I clearly heard God speak to me. I challenged him to send me someone real to help me.” Glenn said.

That person turned out to be Work for the Dole supervisor Alphonse. To cut a long story short, this was the major turning point. Glenn became a passionate member of Alphonse’s church and with this support Glenn immediately stopped ‘using’.

The next step was about finding work.

Challenges

Glenn had always liked working outside and loved gardening.  He had some experience in Port Hedland and was keen to try something in Broome. Without any capital or clients, the dream appeared difficult, but he was initially able to borrow a car, trailer and some basic tools to kick things off. 

The business started to gain traction. ‘Gardening Services Broome 1’ was registered as the business name and Glenn took on more clients.

Glenn was enjoying the work but realised that he had no experience in running a business. Simply being good ‘on the tools’ was not going to make the business successful and sustainable.

He came across Morrgul when looking for business support and made contact

Where and how Morrgul assisted

Glenn met with a Morrgul BDM, who briefly outlined the areas that Morrgul could assist in.

A face-to-face meeting was scheduled, and a strong relationship was formed.

Morrgul supported Glenn to establish Gardening Services Broome 1 through the Department of Finance Aboriginal Business Capacity Building (ABCB) contract.

Morrgul helped with:

1. Obtaining an ABN and registration as a Sole Trader 
2. Introduction to an accountant
3. Help in securing new clients
4. Creation and lodgment of invoices

This support assisted Glenn to give the business momentum and build his capacity.

A couple of years later, as the business continued to grow, Glenn realised he was ready to take the next step. He recognised that a couple of things had slipped, and the business was not operating as efficiently as possible. There was also a risk of non-compliance.

Morrgul worked with Glenn in a number of capacity building areas.

These included:

1. Scheduling work
2. Cash flow management
3. Quoting, Pricing and Profitability
4. Introduction of bookkeeping software and education so Glenn could operate it from his phone. (Suddenly he could create and send client invoices)
5. Record keeping facilitating annual accounts and also making transparent turnover and profitability

Results

GSB1 is kicking goals, and the business continues to grow and succeed. Glenn has been able to take on a couple of young men from his wider family and they are learning the business under Glenn’s mentoring. For some it is the first job the young blokes have had, and the social and economic benefits are profound.

Glenn said, “it has been an amazing journey. I started in a very dark place and felt I had lost everything, including the respect and love of those around me. I hated daylight and craved the anonymity of the night.

Now I can’t wait for the morning and look forward to getting up and tackling the day. The business has given me a renewed purpose and I really love what I do.”

What differences have Morrgul and made to your business?

Glenn Deegan said: 

“Morrgul helped me in so many ways. I may have known how to trim a hedge, but I had no idea how to build and run a business. Morrgul took the time to teach me new skills and made a massive difference to GSB1.

We are still working together, and I am really looking forward to continuing to learn more. I have overcome my fears about business and am excited by what the future can bring.  My trust in God is so well complimented by the support Morrgul provides. Thank you!”