From Numbers to Impact: Supporting Indigenous Business Growth

At Aston Chace (ACG), we believe true business growth comes from insight, honesty, and the confidence to act — making the right calls at the right time. Recently, our Principal, Steve Naidenov, had the privilege of working closely with an Indigenous community. This wasn’t just about reviewing spreadsheets; it was about sitting down with their leadership team, listening, and helping them truly see the story behind their financial position. Because let’s be honest — financial statements can feel overwhelming. They’re often seen as endless rows of figures, but in reality, those numbers are the heartbeat of a business. They reveal strengths, highlight challenges, and point towards opportunities. By breaking down the reports, Steve helped the team uncover both the areas that were steady and the ones quietly draining resources. This particular business — operating in the construction sector through road marking, traffic control, and labor supply — had been carrying significant costs. Underutilised equipment, unprofitable contracts, and a retained but underused workforce were placing serious pressure on cash flow. With Steve’s guidance, the director was able to pinpoint these loss-making areas, consolidate operations, and refocus energy on the strongest revenue streams. The result? Profitable divisions were reinforced, resources realigned, and the path to sustainable growth became much clearer. But the goal was never just to “read the numbers.” The goal was to empower decision-makers, giving them the tools and confidence to move forward with purpose. As Steve shared during the process: “When engaged early with the right advisors, you have a far greater chance of your business achieving success in periods of difficulty.” For the Aston Chace Group, this is what meaningful impact looks like. For this community, it meant not only stronger financial reporting and new cost-control measures, but also management processes that now align with long-term strategic goals. Importantly, these improvements open doors for greater Indigenous participation within NSW government projects, supporting the Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) program. As Steve noted: “Our role is not just to advise, but to empower. When leaders truly understand their financial position, they can make decisions that build long-term resilience and opportunity.” We’re proud to have walked alongside this enterprise as it stabilised operations, strengthened profitability, and set a clearer course for the future. And at ACG, we look forward to continuing this journey across Australia, supporting Indigenous enterprises as they grow stronger, more resilient, and ready to seize every opportunity ahead.