Banksia Support Services specializes in NDIS Behaviour Support, Early Childhood Intervention, Clinical Supervision, and Consultancy & Training. Known for practice excellence and leadership, Banksia adopts a strength-based approach to understand behaviour as communication, addressing unmet needs. The organisation supports children’s development in safe, prosocial ways and empowers families and communities. With an award-winning onboarding program and tailored strategies, Banksia ensures quality services aligned with NDIS standards and client-centered outcomes.
When did you start your business?
Banksia was founded in 2021
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
My daughter, Grace, was born extremely prematurely, at 26 weeks gestation and spent 107 days in the NICU in a Sydney Hospital, over 3 hours from where we live. She had a serious brain bleed and a host of other significant complications resulting from her prematurity and as a specialist in this field, I knew she would need to access Early Intervention support that would be essential to maximise her progress to overcome and navigate any barrier with her development. However, in our regional area, there are minimal services available, so I built this service so my daughter (and many others) wouldn’t miss out on critical support that may be the difference in their lives, despite living rurally. I was inspired to create a business that could drive meaningful change; that could have a wider impact for her community and could generate income to support my philanthropic vision.
What are you most excited about in your business?
That it continues to evolve. The needs of the people we support are always revealing themself and I am excited to be able to pivot, adapt and respond to these needs in a way that keeps things interesting, innovative and continually challenges me to think outside the box. I also love that I can set the tone for the business that is disability friendly and in line with my own needs. Being the captain of the ship is the best job in the world!
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
Wanting to do the big important things first and learning that without the foundations, systems and organsational processes- the big things can’t be sustained. I am a big picture thinker, the details are a little more challenging, so I have learned some really valuable lessons through these challenges about systems. You can’t build a house without the right plans being executed in the right order. Getting this right means you have a house that can stand against any storm. This has been my biggest learning.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Write down your Big picture dream and goal. Then think in 12 months what do I want to have achieved. Then make an action plan- What do I have/know that can achieve this goal? What do I need? What is my capacity? Whatever you do, STOP before you let the doubt take over the curiosity. Lean into the planning process, enjoy it. Your business is an extension of a goal/dream. It is the car and you are the driver (not the other way around). It is there to serve your dream, in the manner that you plan. You are in control; this mindset really helped me when I felt overwhelmed.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
How much joy I felt and how supported I was in the room. It was really extraordinary. The energy was electric.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
Listening and learning from the stories of the winners (and facebook stalking the other nominees to learn what amazing things they are up to). It can be easy to feel you are in a bubble in your business- I loved getting amongst and being inspired by these women. I also love the networking and chance to connect with people at the top of the field (in areas I need help with).
What surprised you most about the awards?
How much joy I felt and how supported I was in the room. It was really extraordinary. The energy was electric.
How did the awards help you in your business?
The exposure is amazing but I feel that by winning my categories, I was able to share the message of my brand and what I stand for. I also feel that this solidified for me that my brand is important and relevant in the community, and this was really supportive when you can become insular as a micro business.
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
Do it. Back yourself, and lean into the discomfort of sharing your vision, your dream and importantly your passion. I want to know about you and I want you in this AusMum community- because we are all connected through stories, compassion and shared experience.
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
Stepping into my own light and sharing this with a community. Was the most terrifying thing I have ever done. But I have been told I have changed peoples lives, I have won awards recognising that my dream and passion is valid and important. I have embraced my own disability and respected my own needs. I have never been happier.
What’s happening next in your business?
Releasing an online version of our Behaviour Support Practitioner training pathway is our next big project being finalised in March. We are also developing the Banksia Trust: A philanthropic arm that is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities to promote and build their own entrepreneurial ideas and brands, with financial support to promote their reasonable and necessary adjustments to enable them to succeed. We are also working on an innovative data collection system for Behaviour Support practitioners to assist in tracking outcomes for clients in their services. This is important because we need to know that what we offer our clients are leading to positive, meaningful outcomes.
Finally, I am attending the WCW Summit in London and Paris this year to speak about the experience of disability and entrepreneurship. I want to share the message that women and people with disabilities can start and sustain successful, profitable and meaningful businesses with effective support.
What are your big plans for the future?
I want to see an inclusive education system where teachers and staff are taught to understand their student’s complex disability and individual differences, through the lens of strength based care and authentic inclusion. I am collaborating with Professors in South Australia and Birmingham UK to improve teacher education training programs to achieve this. I am also committed to lobbying the NSW government to eliminate the practice of caging children, which is a human rights violation and is currently occurring in multiple schools with hundreds of children daily, many of whom Amy works with.
