Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2021
Food Technologist takes out inaugural Sole Trader of the Year Award at 2021 Business Excellence Awards.
Stewart Eddie from ASKAFOODTECH was awarded the Sole Trader of the Year Award at this year’s Focus HR Business Excellence Awards proudly presented by the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce.
This was the first time this award has been presented to a local business owner and recognised the very best sole trader/owner-operator of the year.
Stewart Eddie, Director and Principal Scientist of ASKAFOODTECH, was completely blown away to be named the Sole Trader category winner on Saturday night, particularly given the company he was amongst in his fellow finalists.
“I was so excited and humbled to be chosen from such a highly skilled pool of finalists that included ECM Consulting, Hammy’s Cupcakes, Shedblog and Toowoomba & Darling Downs”, Stewart said after the announcement.
When asked about what the award meant to him, Stewart said “Winning sole trader of the year is a great acknowledgement for the vision I have had for my business”. Stewart grew up in Toowoomba at a time when the local food manufacturing industry was a prominent employer and economic driver for the city. “I love that I get to help the current generation of food producers to grow and manage risk through my food technology consulting company”.
Launching the company in February 2021, ASKAFOODTECH PTY LTD combines Stewart’s industry experience with his passion to help food producers with ambition grow and manage risk. Stewart strongly believes that new product development is the engine room of growth for most businesses.
Not every business can sustain having this skill set in their business. ASKAFOODTECH PTY LTD fills that void through its product development, food safety risk management and food labelling compliance services. Risk and compliance matters are important to address for the reputation and longevity of a business. ASKAFOODTECH PTY LTD is ideally placed to add a unique perspective to an allergen management plan and food labelling because Stewart is a food technologist and a severe food allergy sufferer.
In establishing ASKAFOODTECH PTY LTD, Stewart reflects, “I have extensive expertise in food technology, however, I have a lot to learn about running a business”.
Before commencement, Stewart prepared for his transition to solopreneur through training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a USQ short course ‘Starting out in Business’. This helped document the initial business model and business plan which has since been updated. The review process is dynamic at present as Stewart tests assumptions built into his initial ambition through project work with clients.
When asked about participating in the Business Excellence Awards process, Stewart says, “The awards gave me the opportunity to make tangible improvements to my business as a result of the process”.
Stewart encourages future nominees to participate because he strongly believes that the application process has a lot of merit; it gives you the opportunity to stop and look at your business critically as well as giving you the opportunity to reflect and celebrate your wins along the way.
About the Author:
Stewart Eddie (Bapp Sc Food Science & Technology) is Director and Principal Food Tech at ASKAFOODTECH PTY LTD; a food technology consulting company that inspires, educates, and serves food producers with an ambition to grow and manage risk. Living with a severe food allergy and being a food technologist, Stewart is uniquely placed to help your food manufacturing business with your allergen management planning. If you would like more information on the services that ASKAFOODTECH PTY LTD can provide, please
contact us.
