Case study: Queensland-based Tubie Fun gets ready to grow
[Stacey Philips]
My vision for Tubie Fun is to just get people to celebrate tube feeding and get them involved in their care, give them some control back and change the conversation around tube feeding and special needs.
Here at Tubie Fun, we provide products to assist and support people who are fed via a tube and also have special medical needs. Tubie Fun started when I couldn't find the products that I needed for my son because I couldn't find the products I needed for him I thought I needed to change things up for myself and I thought I would just create them. I started on a foldout table on my own sewing machine, and from there I was able to try and de-medicalise Callum’s feeding tube and through that process, I was able to involve our family.
Through the Industry Workforce Advisor program we have been able to identify the needs that we needed as a business, our shortfalls and where our gaps were in our workforce and where our gaps were in our workforce. The process for connecting with the advisor was she came out, we sat down together and we just identified where we were at in our business, what challenges we had and where we could meet that gap.
Through the HR support grant, we have been able to confidently take on more staff, expand our workforce. We know that we have the relevant information, policies, procedures, everything in place.
[El Crosby]
The Industry Workforce Advisor program is really designed to help engage with small to medium businesses from a workforce perspective so think people, HR, those sort of things. The key role of an industry workforce advisor is to really make businesses feel comfortable sharing their stories and allowing us to move forward from that workforce perspective.
So I think anything to do with HR and people, that's where we come in. Our job as an industry workforce advisor is to really engage with the business to get them talking about their pain points, their challenges and where we can step in to really assist.
Working with small to medium businesses we're really, really lucky that we get to do so, but we have an amazing tool kit that was developed by Jobs Queensland that's enabled us to walk through step by step, it is high level detail or deep dive as much as the business wants.
[Stacey Philips]
To all other small business owners I would just encourage you to reach out to your industry advisor and just chat with them. There's nothing to be worried about, you won't be judged, and being able to learn all the different programs and grants that you might be eligible for, can only benefit your business.
For many Queenslanders, starting a small business and expanding on an idea or passion is the stuff of dreams. It can be tremendously fulfilling to be your own boss and establish something from scratch, but it's not always easy, especially when you're on the cusp of growth.
As small businesses grow, there are certain stages that each business goes through. Each stage brings different challenges that can impede growth.
It can help to have someone to provide professional advice, and connect you with resources, initiatives, and support from government.
Stacey and Anthony Phillips are the proud owners of Tubie Fun, a Capalaba family business specialising in producing high quality products for children requiring feed tubing. The business began following their experiences in supporting their youngest son Callum who from birth has lived with several diagnoses. The business has grown from being a small home-run operation to a small business operating from a commercial premises with a growing client base.
To help grow the business, Tubie Fun was able to access the support of an Industry Workforce Advisor, a Queensland Workforce Strategy initiative.
Industry Workforce Advisor Eleanor Crosby worked with Stacey and Anthony to develop a workforce plan and connect them with financial support through the Workforce Connect Fund. An HR support grant of up to $5,000 was made available to Tubie Fun for specialist human resources services. The funding has helped the business develop critical policies, procedures, agreements, and work instructions that have enabled Tubie Fun to manage risk, grow in a considered way and take on additional staff to meet growing demand for their product.
'Friends started to ask me to start making them and others did as well. From this, Tubie Fun has grown into Australia's leading online store that now sells a full range of colourful hand-made products to support both children and adults in their feeding journey.
'We've had such an amazing response to Tubie Fun and our products, and because of this we saw the opportunity to take on new staff and grow,’ said Stacey.
Sometimes the right professional advice is just what you need
It was a critical time for Stacey and Anthony, as they considered their next steps. They were conscious of the work they had put into the business and wanted to balance growth and their continued personal connection to the day-to-day.
With the support of an Industry Workforce Advisor, Tubie Fun was able to explore what growth would look like across all elements of the business.
'Working through a workforce plan made me more comfortable to expand by taking on new staff—it became something much more strategic.'
Fully subsidised workforce advice is available through the program
Industry Workforce Advisor Eleanor Crosby says it's not unusual for small business owners to experience a level of uncertainty when they shift staffing brackets from 1–4 to 5–10, and often didn't know what the next steps were. She said that Industry Workforce Advisors were well-positioned to provide this 'next steps' advice.
'Tubie fun was in the right place for growth, but they didn't have a plan to on how they would do that or know what their next steps would be.
'Any growing small business can benefit from a workforce plan, and an Industry Workforce Advisor can help with the process.
'Our role is to guide businesses through workforce planning, and make connections with other services, funding and resources.
'We use a toolkit which steps things out, and the requirements moving forward. The process helps give owners ideas around training, staff retention and attrition, and explores risk mitigation,' said Eleanor.
There are 11 Industry Workforce Advisors in Queensland, dedicated to a range of industries to support workforce growth.
The advisors can help connect small businesses to funding
Small businesses that engage with an Industry Workforce Advisor and develop a workforce plan may be eligible to access funding of up to $5,000 for human resources support and advice.
Stacey said working with an Industry Workforce Advisor has supported their business to grow in ways they never thought they needed.
'Eleanor connected us to the Queensland Government's Workforce Connect Fund. Through the fund we were able to engage a human resources agency to help us develop a range of foundation materials.
'The funding has been immensely helpful. We now have policies, procedures, documented instructions, payroll information, formal employment agreements and more. They're things that you might not think you need as a business, but they are important if you are looking at expanding.'
Working with an Industry Workforce Advisor
Eleanor says the program is important, because sometimes the right advice at the right time can be everything a small business needs to succeed. She says being part of the program and supporting small businesses is vital, not just for the economy but for our communities.
'I think the advisors play an important role. By facilitating growth and connecting businesses to funding and services we are helping strengthen communities.
'When a small business successfully takes on those next 2 or 3 employees, it means those people are now receiving an income supporting their own families. When we connect a small business to another service like a boutique human resources provider, the community wins because there's 2 businesses flourishing in the right direction.
'Industry Workforce Advisors are there to support the spirit of small business and every mum and dad out there.'
About the Industry Workforce Advisor program
Industry Workforce Advisors have been established under the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032 to support employers.
Eligible employers can engage an Industry Workforce Advisor at no cost.
Contact the Industry Workforce Advisor in your industry today.
This showcase is powered by the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.
Special thanks to Tubie Fun, Stacey and Anthony for sharing their story.
More information and support
- Workforce Connect Fund – a government initiative designed to increase investment in industry and community-led projects that address attraction, retention and participation issues within the workforce.
- Industry Workforce Advisors – providing workforce planning support to employers in small to medium-sized businesses.
- Workforce planning resources – information and resources to help you plan your workforce and find the right staff with the skills you need for your business.