A recent article from the Small Biz website:

Aboriginal husband and wife team Jonathan and Elizabeth Slottje recognised a niche in the market for their liquid-polymer tyre repair product: .

While similar imported products were available, the Slottje’s saw the import-replacement value and a need for an environmentally-friendly formula. Initial test marketing was successful, with over 600 Australian stores stocking the product.

After a request for an ATSIC BFS loan was rejected, searched the Internet - and located a venture capital company specialising in environmental-type investments. The support in the form of a loan confirmed that while their product was a polymer, it was more environmentally-friendly than the imports, thus it would contribute to a cleaner world.

was invited to attend a Product Presentation Day with Beijing Television along with other NSW businesses at the Department of State and Regional Development Trade & Investment Centre. was deemed to have the highest potential of any product for the Chinese TV home shopping show market and secured a test-market-order with Beijing Television and, therefore, had the opportunity to target every bicycle in China.

As a result, has delivered its second order to China and is now exploring new markets in the middle east.

Important messages from their story are:

ATSIC is not the only source of funds for Aboriginal people - so never give up; Aboriginal people’s creative ideas and earth conscience can help make the world a better place; Don’t ignore technology - the Internet can help you source information and contacts; Utilise Government agencies and resources. However, they do not hold all the answers.