Griffith Business School graduate, Monique Jeremiah, is a young entrepreneur who is determined to share her success.
Monique graduated from Griffith in 2008, with a double business degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. The then 21-year old fearlessly set about starting her first education company with no financial backing or mentoring.
Now 25, she is the sole director and owner of three successful companies; Exceptional Group, Exceptional Tuition and Resumes and Exceptional Training.
Exceptional Group provides business mentoring for aspiring young entrepreneurs; Exceptional Tuition and Resumes delivers home, online and group-based academic tutoring as well as resume writing services; and Exceptional Training delivers practical, hands-on short courses for those who want to start their own business success story.
Monique employs two full-time office staff and twelve contract tutors. Through her rapidly growing companies Monique intends to put the Gold Coast even more firmly on the map, particularly in the education and small business sector.
“In five to ten years I would like to be a national company based on the Gold Coast with branches or franchises across the country,” Monique said.
Monique is building a name for herself on the Gold Coast in more ways than one. Having grown up on the tourist strip, Monique is the 2012 Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year.
“It’s lovely to have made my mark on the city and to be recognised both personally and professionally on the Gold Coast,” Monique said.
This rising young entrepreneur is no stranger to recognition. Monique was listed in the 2011 Australian Anthill Magazine’s 30Under30 Up-and-Comer’s list and came 5th in the 2010 Queensland Business Icon competition. She is also a contender for the 2012 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.
Monique says it was her Griffith Business School training which gave her the confidence to succeed.
“From the time I began my degree at Griffith, I had a burning passion to be in business and become a true entrepreneur,” Monique said.
“I really loved the down-to-earth attitudes at the Griffith Business School and the support given by lecturers and staff, was amazing,” she said.
After graduating Monique began tutoring Employment Relations part-time at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus.
“That was when I discovered I loved teaching and, in particular, wanted to help students who were struggling,” Monique said.
Those combined passions for business and teaching then became the focus of her companies.
“I really want to help people who are starting out, to show them you can succeed if you have the resources, support from the right people and the right motivation,” Monique said.
Monique will be a guest speaker at the 2012 Gold Coast Careers Expo on May 10th at Royal Pines Resort. Her topic, not surprisingly, will be “The thrill of being an entrepreneur”.