From Brendale to the world stage

Three times Mike Arieni has stepped up to receive the Moreton Bay Business & Innovation Award for Export Excellence.

With nominations for the region's 2022 awards opening tomorrow (Monday), the founder and managing director of Solar Bollard Lighting offers tips for business on the world stage.

Scroll down for nomination details.

Operating from Brendale, the company’s custom-built commercial-grade lights are now in 40 countries and many different environments.

But, behind that success was years of hard work, persistence, determination and sacrifice.

“I worked seven days a week for years,” said Mr Arieni, pictured above with Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway, “designing and looking at what’s on the market.

Best of the best

“On the international stage, look for a unique product, don’t go for something in a saturated market.

“If something does exist, what difference are you offering to others? Is that enough to get through to the market?

“Have an idea of how to be the best of the best. Do one thing and do it well. Don’t be average at a number of things.”

The lessons Mr Arieni has learned along the way include: “Never give up, find a way to make it happen and no is negotiable," he said.

“To build an international market you need to align with expertise (Mr Arieni aligned with Trade and Investment Queensland), but do not rely on expertise to do the hard work for you.

“Be dynamic and ready to adapt. People buy from people and that means dealing with different personalities.”

Good Design

Solar Bollard Lighting won the Moreton Bay Export Excellence Award in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The awards were not held in 2020 due to COVID.

The company also triumphed in Australia’s prestigious International Good Design Awards, winning the Product Design Furniture and Lighting category.

Solar Bollard Lighting's awards cabinet also has the Australian Coastal and Marine Ecology Environment & Sustainability Award, Akyra Employee of the Year (Trent Arieni) and the Moreton Bay Regional Council Business of the Year.

The Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards are returning in 2022, with an earlier start date and additional categories for businesses and individuals to celebrate their achievements.

The awards are free to enter and nominations open on May 16 at 9am. They close on July 17 at 11.59pm.

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