STG Studios

Simon(The brain behind SIMJEN) in the middle of the Valley's buzz of resurgence

Simon said the CBD was more of a corporate centre whereas the Valley was more creative "with a big future".
"Things change here a lot. A lot of doors open. I'll be here for the next 15 years," Simon said.
He began SIMJEN with three employees in 2010 and, within 12 months, had outgrown the city space so he had to move. He has more than 100 staff today and aims to have 300 by this time next year.

The old powerhouse now home to SIMJEN HQ was one of Brisbane's first power stations, having been built in 1929, and part of the infrastructure for the old tramline that ran through the suburb. It now powers Simon's rapidly growing business.

Simon said working in such a rich part of Brisbane's history was a privilege. He said he loved the flare the building gave his company.

"We've been able to retain around 500m of steel from the original structure," Simon said.
"Simon has matched the pioneering aspects of the building with his own pioneering ideas - a 50-seat cinema, 50-seat Imac training lounge, catering facilities, production office, photographic studio, boardroom, courtyard, bar, nightclub and cafe.

SIMJEN's services include branding, business strategy, design and creative marketing. With the facilities in the old powerhouse, it can also provide venue hire and architecture.

"We have already outgrown two buildings in the last year and are making full use of the five storeys of space this new office is giving us while retaining the building's historical charm," Simon said.

Simon's always on the go but the only thing that moves faster than him is his Silver Bullet – the Porsche he has entered in the 2011 national Porsche Carerra Cup which is leading the championship at present.

The Silver Bullet is driven by New Zealand driver Johnny Reid.

On the eve of the August issue of the Village News going to press, Simon was returning from Melbourne where he opened the doors on his expanding empire in a new market – on St Kilda Road South Melbourne – his first foray outside Brisbane.

SIMJEN's creed is to assist new and established small-to-medium businesses with strategic guidance.

He said the Global Financial Crisis had put increased pressure on SMEs to survive, caused business start-up rates to plunged and send more than 4000 to the wall.

As is his creed, Simon bucked that trend. He started his business in the middle of the GFC and boasts unparalleled growth and expansion. Simon surrounds himself with like-minded people, handpicking a diverse range of specialized staff with backgrounds in most major industries to give his company expertise to help clients through harsh economic times.

Simon says his biggest passion is philanthropy.
"The biggest thing in my life is helping the world in some way," he said.
He has been busy developing a commercial model that intertwines with charity – a SIMJEN credit/debit card which sees a percentage of money spent at specific outlets go straight to the card holder's nominated charity through the SIMJEN Charity Rewards program. Negotiations are well advanced with a major credit card company.

Simon said many businesses did not want to help charity because they did not get anything tangible back.

With his credit card, the company would get the business and, without lifting a finger, would be helping a specific charity in the process. The card is expected to be available by the end of the year.

He says he is an idealist who sees things that are broken and is determined to fix them – or at least "give it a crack". He said he owed his business ethics and entrepreneurial skills to his parents, Vi and Trevor. His mother, now is a sales manager within SIMJEN. What's next on the horizon? Get ready for the SIMJEN Telephone Company.

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