Young winner puts effort into building connections
Cameron Bergsma wouldn’t have it any other way.
After deciding to establish his own electrical contracting business six-and-a-half years ago, the 33-year-old was rewarded on Saturday night with the City of Albany’s young business person of the year award at the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Awards.
Mr Bergsma did not know anyone in the local construction industry when he moved to Albany almost seven years ago but established Jaguar Cabling, which has since emerged as a market leader in electrical, data, phone, TV and audio-visual cabling.
While excited to win the award in its third year recognising a business person under the age of 35, Mr Bergsma said Jaguar Cabling’s growth was a testament to its loyal clients.
“It’s good to see our clients continue to come back and there are those who are still with us now from when we started,” he said.
“I was pretty excited; I didn’t really expect to win.”
After starting the business working from home, Jaguar Cabling has expanded to become one of only three electrical contractors with a professional office presence in the city.
Mr Bergsma said his business prided itself on projecting a professional image and good customer service and now employed six full-time staff.
He said he would nominate for the ACCI executive this year and hoped more young business people would nominate for the award in years to come.
“It’s great to be acknowledged and I personally encourage people younger than me. There is no better place than Australia to start your own business — you just have to want it,” he said. “I’m probably working as hard now as when I started the business; I’m not one to sit around and twiddle my thumbs.
“Having your own business, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Jaguar Cabling also won the GWN7 award for businesses with five to 10 employees.
