Q4 2023 Winner
Ken Hunt, Monbulk Jewellers
We interviewed Ken Hunt, the owner of Monbulk Jewellers in Melbourne, who is this quarter’s ‘refer a friend’ winner of the $5,000! Read what Ken had to say about Smartpay and the win below!
Congratulations on the win! Tell us a bit about your business, Monbulk Jewellers.
My wife Helen and I took over Monbulk Jewellers on 1 Dec 1994 and we have just commenced our 30th year of trading. We are a thriving family business located in the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour east of Melbourne. Personally, I am a fine artist and I paint in oils and do pencil drawings, all very realistic. I am also a gemstone specialist so we design jewellery and of course, run our business.
At Monbulk Jewellers, we have an excellent diverse range of stock including gold and silver jewellery chains, bracelets, rings, pendants and earrings. We also carry a range of Australian Opal, Diamond and Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald and loose semi-precious gemstones as well as clocks, watches, rocks and natural crystals. We also sell artwork; a range of landscape and portrait paintings in store. Something for almost everyone!
We have an onsite professional jeweller, for high-quality repairs and the handmaking of exquisite rings and jewellery. The Dandenong Ranges is a great place to visit and our shop is well worth a look.
2 websites www.monbulkjewellers.com.au and for art www.kennethshunt.com
When and why did you decide to make the switch and join Smartpay?
We joined Smartpay several years ago after a customer told us about it.
What made you recommend Smartpay and make the referral to another business?
Since joining, we have been astounded at the savings and the service we have received from the Smartpay team – absolutely excellent. Keep up the good work and we will continue to recommend you!
How does it feel to be the lucky winner? Any ideas on how you might spend the $5,000
The phone call to let me know of our win was a great surprise! We think we will take a holiday with the winnings. Thank you Smartpay.
Q3 2023 Winner
Tim Fitzgerald, Coomas Battery Wholesaler
We interviewed Tim Fitzgerald, the owner of Coomas Battery Wholesaler in New South Wales, who is this quarter’s winner of the $5,000! Read what Tim had to say about Smartpay and the win below!
Congratulations on the win! Tell us a bit about yourself and your business
Cooma’s Battery Wholesalers was established in 2007 by myself and my wife Chrissy, we maintain retail batteries and related products. We live in the Snowy Mountains near Canberra and enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle – bushwalking, skiing and the occasional fishing.
How did you join Smartpay?
We joined Smartpay after a recommendation from one of our clients, Leon from Bombala Tyre Services and are really happy with their service!
How does it feel to be the lucky winner? Any ideas on how you might spend the $5,000?
We are over the moon about winning the $5,000 and will be booking a trip to the Gold Coast with the winnings. Once again we feel very privileged and honoured. Thanks Smartpay!
Q2 2023 Winner
Sharjita Bahadur, Figureit Laser Clinic
We interviewed Sharjita Bahadur, the owner of Figureit in Queensland, who is this quarter’s ‘refer a friend’ winner of the $5,000! Read what Sharjita had to say about Smartpay and the win below!
Congratulations on the win! Tell us a bit about yourself and your business
Figureit is a clinic dedicated to weight loss, skin tightening, cellulite removal and HIFU fat removal. With over 10 years of expertise in all of these areas, we have helped many clients achieve their skin and beauty goals.
Our aim is to provide a personalised program to help you achieve your weight loss and aesthetic ambitions. Our expert staff will design a program tailored to suit your lifestyle and budget. We use the most cutting-edge techniques and technology, including AW3 products, a UK-based company known for being the market leader in laser technology.
How did you join Smartpay?
After being tired of paying another provider so many fees, I decided to look at other cheaper options. I came across a Smartpay ad on Facebook. After scrolling through all the lovely comments from other clients, I called up Smartpay. They quickly attended to my queries and within a few days, I was set up with no problems.
What made you recommend Smartpay and make the referral?
Smartpay’s service is so quick and easy. They are Sydney based but there is no delay in setting up, troubleshooting or answering any queries for my Queensland-based business.
How does it feel to be the lucky winner? Any ideas on how you might spend the $5,000?
When Smartpay Payments Specialist Henry called to give me the good news, I didn’t believe him for a second. It’s very exciting as I have ever won anything before. With my winnings, I would like to go on a small holiday with my daughter and perhaps donate to our favourite charity, RSPCA. Thank you, Smartpay, for adding me in your draw and giving me the big win. Great company, awesome team!
Q1 2023 Winner
Thanh Tan, Hiep Oriental Supermarket and Star Nails Studio
We interviewed Thanh Tan, the owner of Nghe Hiep Oriental Supermarket and Star Nails Studio who is this quarter’s ‘refer a friend’ winner of the $5,000! Read what Thanh had to say about Smartpay and the win below!
Congratulations on the win! Tell us a bit about yourself and your business
We’ve always been in the grocery store business. My mum and dad ran a grocery store business in Vietnam when I was little and were living there. We moved to Australia in 1987 and even as I graduated from school I was interested in running my own business. I have dabbled in a variety of businesses across difference industries but ultimately found groceries to be the most reliable and stable income for my family. After all, groceries are a necessity in life! I’ve been in this line for more than 10 years now; I currently run this business along with a nail studio with my wife.
How did you join Smartpay?
We have a great community within the area and we heard about Smartpay from a few of my friends who were with them. I was very curious about the savings. At that time I was paying the bank not only for merchant fees but also terminal rental. With two businesses, I was paying up to $1,000 per month! Now we pay none.
In the beginning, I was worried about surcharging my customers but many businesses around the area are already surcharging so people are aware and understand what they are paying for.
I found that my customers don’t use cash as much these days and generally don’t mind paying a few cents for the convenience of using card transactions.
What made you recommend Smartpay and make the referral?
The savings are the main reason why I recommended Smartpay. Many businesses within our area are already surcharging with other companies. We picked Smartpay as as we didn’t need to pay anything at all with Zero Cost™ EFTPOS. We also thought that the 30 cent charge on debit card inserts was reasonable compared to other companies (it was half the cost!). We were a lot more comfortable offering that option to our customers.
How does it feel to be the lucky winner? Any ideas on how you might spend the $5,000?
Surprised! I was definitely not expecting it as I thought I was only receiving the standard referral bonus. We will be putting this aside for our family holiday this year.
