Ray O’Brien was just a regular bloke with a big heart, evidenced when he gave up his full-time job to care for his lifelong mate who was battling cancer. Looking after him every day, Ray discovered something important—a deep satisfaction in being there for someone who needed help, in doing small but meaningful tasks that made a difference.
After his mate sadly passed, Ray felt a gap in his work and in his purpose. A suggestion from his cousin, who ran a lawn-mowing business, struck a chord. Ray already had much of the equipment.
It was the nudge Ray needed to seek help through the Australian Government funded Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program, delivered locally in his region by BUSY At Work. What caught his attention was what the program stood for: real support for real people trying to build something from scratch.
Through the SEA program, Ray gained access to free business-planning help, accredited small-business training, mentoring and guidance in launching a micro-business—all at no cost.
With just a vision, some tools and a willingness to work, and with SEA backing him, Ray built his business. The regular meetings with his SEA mentor, Hilde, steered him in the right direction. As Ray says, “An old dog can learn new tricks! Hilde has assisted me with making a Google Business Page, which started the ball rolling, Ray’s Home and Yard Care — not very catchy, I know, but it seems to work. So far, I’ve had four good jobs from it with handyman and yard care in Mareeba.”
Like most business owners, Ray has faced hurdles, like people who didn’t pay. That meant tough weeks, stress and worry about whether he could pay the bills (or keep the wife happy 😄). But Ray kept going and began receiving jobs through home care, something he was passionate about after supporting his late friend. Now he was again helping people who couldn’t easily do yard maintenance themselves; providing dignity, comfort and support to people. This added a very beneficial sense of purpose for Ray – his work made a difference.
Every time he finished a job, mowing a lawn for an elderly neighbour or fixing a fence for someone who couldn’t do it themselves, Ray felt proud. Not proud of money earned. Proud of being useful. Proud to give back. Proud to be an Aussie with a bit of mateship, integrity and kindness.
Seeing the gratitude in his clients’ faces, hearing their thanks, knowing he’d eased someone’s day, that became his greatest reward.
🧭 If you’re looking to start a business, Ray’s story might resonate with you because:
- Purpose beats profit. Ray’s drive came from compassion, not ambition. He wasn’t thinking “big business.” He was thinking, “How can I help?” Starting a small business doesn’t need to be about riches. If you find something useful that you enjoy—and people need it—that’s enough.
- You don’t need perfection. Just honesty and effort. Ray’s business name wasn’t flashy. “Ray’s Home and Yard Care” is about as straightforward as it gets. But it works because it tells the truth.
- Support exists—you don’t have to go it alone. SEA made things possible, providing free business training, business planning help and one-on-one mentoring. For someone with little prior business experience, that can make all the difference.
- Challenges will come but resolve and values carry you through. Non-paying clients, slow weeks, uncertainty, these are real obstacles. But through them, it’s perseverance, integrity and consistency that turn a small gig into something trusted and respected.
- Small actions can have big impact. If your business solves a problem or provides a valuable service (like Ray’s business), you are helping others, significantly making their life easier, safer or happier. For you, it gives a sense of meaning and pride.
🎯 If you’re thinking of starting out, take inspiration from Ray!
As Ray himself says, “Bloody go for it! There is work out there; you just need to have a go and do good work. Life’s too short to be stuck under the boss man’s boot.”
- If you’ve got skills or things you enjoy (even if modest), and especially if there’s a community need, chances are there’s room for you.
- Real success doesn’t always look like big profits or rapid growth. Sometimes success is steady customers, good reputation and pride in giving quality service.
- Respect, honesty and good old-fashioned hard work often mean more than fancy marketing or big budgets.
- Don’t underestimate the power of support. Programs like Self-Employment Assistance exist to help, so consider them a launching pad to your financial independence and becoming your own boss.
Learn more about the Self Employment Assistance program