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The Bremer TAFE brings hope to business owner
(left to right) Tony Axford - Business Enterprise
Centre, Tamika Rackley owner Innovation Cafe,
Stella Musk - The Bremer Institute of TAFE
Tamika Rackley, a Bremer TAFE Diploma of Management student and Ipswich Café owner, was on the verge of giving up her study after suffering multiple hardships earlier this year.
The January floods inundated her home and caused massive stock losses to her popular Innovations café in East Street. During this time, her father was also undergoing intensive treatment for cancer and her fiancé was made redundant from the factory he worked at for 14 years.
"We had faced so much already and I didn't think I could cope with anything more," Ms Rackley said.
That was until a visit from The Bremer TAFE employee, Stella Musk.
"Stella convinced me to stick with my Diploma. I also had incredible support from my family and our wonderful staff."
Ms Rackley continued to receive support and encouragement from Ms Musk, along with advice from The Bremer TAFE teacher Neil Goodman- Jones.
"Neil helped me realise that the things I do every day at the café relate to competencies in the Diploma - I just needed to put the paperwork to it," Ms Rackley said.
"I completed the course in just one month because I qualified for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).
"I'm so glad I did it in the end because now I can use that knowledge and my formal qualification to assist me in any future endeavours."
Ms Musk said the staff at The Bremer TAFE gained a lot of satisfaction when they helped students reach their goals.
"Tamika is a remarkable young woman. I knew how much she initially wanted the Diploma and when she lost hope due to her circumstances we were determined to help," Ms Musk said.
"We arranged help with her course fees, provided extensions for fee payment and suggested other business partners that could help her through this difficult time.
Ms Musk put Ms Rackley in touch with Tony Axford from the Business Enterprise Centre, an organisation that provides mentoring for small business. He coached her on business planning and refinancing options aimed to help get her back on her feet.
Ms Rackley said that while she still had difficult days, she felt the worst had past.
"I'm married now, we had a fantastic wedding day. Dad is in remission and he walked me down the aisle, keeping his promise to me. The day was perfect.
"Business is still a little unpredictable while people slowly return to Ipswich following the floods, so I'm still taking each day as it comes.
"However, I now have a Diploma qualification and a lot more self-confidence. With my new-found business knowledge I am looking forward to improving the café. I love being a part of the wonderful Ipswich community and I can't see myself being anywhere else."
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