About Hurst & Co

kate Hurst Photo

Kate Hurst is Hurst & Co's principle consultant with over a decade's worth of valuable business experience working within creative industries. Transforming her own fashion label, Kate Hurst, from a small grass roots start-up into a successful international brand has given Kate the ability to help other creative entrepreneurs and businesses achieve their potential.

Kate's skill set is a perfect balance of art and commerce. Formally trained at UNSW's College of Fine Art, Kate's career flourished through her broad range of creative skills, ranging from graphic design and fashion design through to brand consultancy and creative direction. Her success grew through embracing an informed, entrepreneurial and strategic approach in running her own business.

Having acquired invaluable business skills Kate recognised that there was a fundamental need for them among others working within the arts. Many of her associates, colleagues and friends working in creative fields seemed to be suffering and facing a number of problems, all stemming from the same cause - a misplaced fear of the business side of their work.
Kate's personal experience had proved creative individuals can be equally talented and successful within the sphere of business; all they need is the right support, mentoring and tools to help them get there. Today, if there's one thing that inspires Kate, even more than her love of art and design, it's helping other entrepreneurs fulfil their true potential.

Alongside principle consultant Kate Hurst are a number of experienced professionals in the fields of retail, online marketing, e-commerce, environmental sustainability and web development whose expertise can be called upon according to the nature of your needs.

Philosophy

CREATIVITY & BUSINESS
At Hurst & Co. we believe success for creative entrepreneurs is achieved through creating a balance between art and commerce. People tend to think of themselves as solely creative or business orientated. This is not the case at all and is a myth Hurst & Co. is dedicated to debunking. All of us are perfectly capable of being both creative and business minded; we just need to be given the right path and tools to access our full set of skills.

Principles

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Hurst & Co. provides practical information, tools and advice for creative businesses wanting to update their strategies and operations in order to function in a profitable and economically sustainable way.

A 'WHOLE-ISTIC' APPROACH
We believe in looking at the whole picture and not just a part of it. From your business' structure and operations through to the wellbeing of you and your staff, we like to cast our net wide and consider all the relevant elements that can make a contribution to your success.

ETHICAL OPERATIONS
Good business practices help make a better world. By providing advice and alternative solutions for production and supply chain issues, Hurst & Co. can help you run your business in a more efficient fashion and in a manor that fully respects your ethical beliefs.

LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Businesses that we work with are inspired to consider minimising their impact on the environment. Hurst & Co. offers a range of advice and alternative solutions that help transform your business to a lower impact enterprise.

WORK / LIFE BALANCE
We understand both the difficulty and importance of business owners finding a balance when prioritizing between 'work' and 'life'. If left unattended too often this simply results in a 'working life' along with all the pitfalls and frustrations that come with all work and no play. We collaborate with you to develop and negotiate the optimum balance between your career and ambition one side and your pleasure, leisure and family life on the other, so that you obtain peace of mind in the centre.

What we do

Hurst & Co. specialises in offering business solutions and support to creative entrepreneurs. We provide experienced and objective insights with tailored strategies that reinvigorate both your business and your creativity. Hurst & Co. can advise you on what your creative business needs to be competitive as well as providing much needed advice and support. Whether you need a specific service or a fully integrated programme of support we can offer you expertise in the following areas:

Whether its a start-up or micro operation needing advice when setting up a business or an established company wanting to overhaul its outdated or disorganised systems, Hurst & Co's primary goal is to find solutions that fit your needs.

How we do it

Everybody needs a great business partner who's been in the trenches and can help you manage the issues, big and small, affecting the success of your creative endeavours. Engaging Hurst & Co. puts a vast range of services at your disposal, all of which are managed for you through one single, dedicated point of contact. Personal mentoring and specifically targeted advice are accompanied by a methodical approach. We evaluate, plan, engage and support to achieve the best results for you and your business.

Evaluate

Our experience enables us to make fresh and objective evaluations of your goals, practices and performance, giving you an informed and enlightening perspective on things that are just sometimes too close to see.

Plan

Once the issues have been clearly identified we work with you to create a plan that is specific and tailored to your needs. We start by sharing the findings of our analysis and based upon this develop a clear set of solutions that work towards overcoming the issues at hand. We set achievable milestones within a manageable time line that work towards fulfilling your goals.

Engage

With plans in place, the next crucial stage is to engage them. We advice you on the best procedures and practices to implement them.

Support

Our extensive support provides you with a firm foundation to move you and your business forward. Whether it is in the practical day to day details of running your creative enterprise or reaffirming your personal aspirations and mission within the business, we are always on hand to help.

Results

Success comes in many forms and via many paths. It is a standard that can only be set by you, but one we can help you achieve. Put simply - your success is our success. Working with Hurst & Co. will benefit your business and professional life in a number of anticipated and unanticipated ways.

Client List

FASHION
Romance Was Born / Ellery / Sportsgirl / Ruby Smallbone
Friedrich Gray / Trois Couture / Suwen Leong / Secret Squirrel
Dress Up / Karla Spetic / Arnsdorf / Self Titled / Joux Joux Le Shoe
Be Ko

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Management & Publicity

THEATRE
Savage Productions

NON - PROFIT
Movember / S.O.L.A / My Heart Space / S.E.E.D

MUSIC & EVENTS
Days Like This Festival

Business Development

By providing confidential, experienced, and objective advice in one-on-one consulting sessions, Hurst & Co. has helped a wide variety of individuals and businesses improve their efficiency, productivity and financial sustainability. We assess the specifics of your situation and provide a tailor made proposal to suit your needs. Hurst & Co. can provide consultations in the following areas:

Communications

Impactful marketing requires a strong understanding of the business at hand, an informed awareness of the target market and an approach that excites your audience. We can help you gain clarity and cut-through with each and every step of the way on your journey. Communications now more than ever involves thinking outside of the box and this is an approach that we thoroughly embrace. From an online communications strategy to a full re-branding and market positioning we can help you define and refine your communications to work efficiently and effectively to your advantage.

Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is one of the most crucial steps in the building of your business - it's your blueprint to growth. We work with you to create a tailor made strategy that forges a comprehensive and achievable path towards your success. We're here to help creative businesses wanting to improve their productivity and capitalise on their opportunities for success in the future.

Creative & design consultancy

The Hurst & Co.'s creative team is a collection of top industry professionals with an extensive and multi-disciplined skill set. We work on a modular basis, pulling in specific individuals and teams on a job according to your needs, making sure you've always just the right mix.

Professional development

Hurst & Co. offer one-on-one sessions focused on professional development for individuals hoping to enhance their abilities in work and achieve their career goals. Our approach recognises that a career plan must stem from the goals and aspirations of the individual, but that there are common skills and tools from which we can all benefit.

Sustainable business practices

Today it is imperative that businesses start minimising their impact upon the environment. Working closely alongside environmental consultants we are able to integrate sustainability into the foundations of your business strategy, ensuring not only the growth of your business but the future growth of the planet too.

Partnerhips & Funding

As a partnership agent for events such as Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, we connect designers, artists and non-profit with companies wanting to access the highly exclusive and often elusive demographic of art, fashion and lifestyle markets. We make connectionsthat work.

Hurst & Co. also provides help for creative businesses and individuals hoping to access funding through Australian Government grants. There's a wealth of funding support available in schemes such as the Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF), the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) and the Art Start program. In fact, we can highlight schemes which you may be eligible for that you are not even be aware of.

We can help you conquer form-phobia in submitting your application and partner with you to deliver the funded project. In particular we can help in the following stages:

Testimonials

Kym Ellery - Ellery

"Kate has been a great asset to the smooth running of my business. She has implemented many new systems and smoothed out areas within my business that had previously caused problems. It is with great pleasure that I recommend Kate Hurst as a consultant to a growing brand"

Tulia Wilson - Self-Titled

"As I undertook the task of setting up my first business last year, I was fortunate to have the support of Kate Hurst's knowledge and practical advise as well as her tailor made template package.

These tools meant I was able to begin my business with strong, efficient systems in place. I am very grateful to Kate for providing me with this foundation, and would certainly recommend her services to any young fashion business looking to secure a long and profitable future"

Evie Bear" company="Management & Publicity

"Kate was incredible in her efficiency, her level of professionalism and dedication, and there was never any doubt that she would come through with the targets set for RAFW....On top of the results, Kate was a dream to work with"

Ben Pollit - Friedrich Gray

"Kate Hurst has always provided our business with an energetic approach to achieving all our targets and is proficient at solving issues that arise. Since employing Kate, we have seen an increase in productivity and feel that our business is running more efficiently."

Stephanie Downey - Dress Up

"Kate Hurst has brought about invaluable, long term improvements to the organization and day to day running of business, helping to streamline systems....These changes have led to a direct increase in turnover and profitability for Dress Up.

On a more personal note, Kate has inspired a higher confidence, energy and pride in my work, and has helped me define my role as a designer and business owner. I cannot recommend Kate's mentoring with high enough regard."

Rebecca Quade - Be Ko

"I worked with Kate to assist in developing my concept for a ecological sport/fashion brand, BE-Ko. Kate's enthusiasm to go over and above to strategically map out the global fashion market, and ways my label could make a difference through a more sustainable supply chain was beyond measure.....Her spirit, and enthusiasm was such a pleasure to encounter."

Su-Wen Leong - Suwen Leong

"I have been able to stream line my processes, with the help of this life-saving template package."

Lucy Arnott - Joux Joux Le Shoe

"Kate Hurst has an incredible ability to inspire and motivate in an industry that can be fraught with difficulties."

Anna Plunkett - Romance Was Born

"Kate has been a valuable member of our team and we would highly recommend her as a consultant to others in the fashion industry."

Gabrielle Abela - Trois Couture

"Kate has played an imperative role in the survival and growth of my label - TROIS. While working with me for 6 months in the early stages of my business, she provided sound advice in every area of the fashion industry.
Kate has been the lifejacket that I desperately needed, I am forever grateful for her guidance and inspiration."

Contact

We have consulting programs and packages to suit your needs and budget. Take the first step towards resolving the issues facing yourbusiness and contact us now to arrange afree initial meeting.

Kate Hurst + 61 404 186 833
kate@hurstandco.com.au

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