WHEN 50-something tree-changer and coffee tragic Richard Emery lost his job in 2004 he turned life's lemons into lemonade.
Mr Emery, who was honoured along with Katrina Maurer - another Ballarat small business operator - by Workplace Participation Minister Dr Sharman Stone yesterday, enrolled in the BRACE-administered New Enterprise
Initiative Scheme.
By April 20, 2005 he was successfully operating his own business - The Bean Barn in Sturt St.
The enterprise was a finalist in this year's CGU Commerce Ballarat Business Awards.
Ms Maurer's Peace of Mind Childcare - also an NEIS-driven business - was also a finalist.
Both Mr Emery and Ms Maurer received certificates of achievement from Dr Stone.
NEIS provides job seekers with business training, mentoring and financial assistance.
The Minister also met with local Liberal candidates Geoff Hayes and Shane Brennan, discussed employment issues with members of the Committee for Ballarat, spoke at the launch of a `Cover Your Lunch' program and spent
time at Interclub.
Mr Emery relocated to Ballarat with his partner from Melbourne four years ago.
"We wanted a tree-change and I had a contract with Telstra."
When the contract was not renewed Mr Emery, who had heard of NEIS through a friend, decided to launch his own business.
Coffee was an obvious choice.
"It was one thing we were still importing from Melbourne."
Dr Stone has welcomed recent changes to NEIS which has opened the program to over-50s, including self-funded retirees, who are not receiving welfare payments.
Dr Stone said that "in another life" she might have been a client for the program herself.
The Minister would enjoy a jewellery making business and understands the passion of people who use NEIS to do something they love.
"You've got to be in love with what you are doing," she said.
"You must have that passion to go the extra mile."
To find out more about the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme contact BRACE on 5333 3700.