No matter what the profession, there are many businesses in Canberra that bring the expertise of skilled and passionate people together to deliver for customers and clients.

A WINNING team is what makes a business thrive. Beauty, exercise, law, no matter what the profession, there are many businesses in Canberra that bring the expertise of skilled and passionate people together to deliver for customers and clients.

This week “CityNews” spoke with businesses that pride themselves on the professional environments their team creates.

A team of compassion, empathy and efficiency

FINANCE director Rhonda Hubert says the staff at Capon and Hubert take pride in knowing that respect and courtesy always takes priority.

Together, lawyers Ken Hubert, Ashilpa Khanna and Daryn Griffiths cover family law, wills and estates and conveyancing.

“Ken is experienced in all areas of family law, including adoptions,” says Rhonda.

“He is an accredited mediator and has been practicing in Canberra for 40 years.

“He helps people with their legal issues with confidence and compassion.”

Ashilpa joined the team five years ago, says Rhonda, and specialises in wills and estates.

“At the time of your loss, we know you need people who understand the challenges of this time and Ashilpa is known for her empathy,” says Rhonda.

“Daryn joined us four years ago and leads our conveyancing team, buying and selling property, both residential and commercial.”

He can also help with advice regarding contracts for retirement village accommodation, says Rhonda: “He is professional, efficient and a tireless worker for his clients.

“The Capon and Hubert team has been operating for many years in Canberra and enjoys working together.

“Many of our clients have been coming to us for a long time and much of our client base comes through referral, which speaks to Capon and Hubert’s success and the confidence their clients and other professionals have in the team.”

Capon and Hubert Lawyers and Mediators, first floor, 32-38 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6152 9203 or visit chsol.com.au

Hair team feels more like family

AMANDA Harrington, owner of Socialise Hair, says her staff are friendly and approachable, and they have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

She opened Socialise Hair two years ago, and has 15 years of experience in the hairdressing industry, 10 of which in Canberra.

“We’re just a small salon with a great team and beautiful clients,” says Amanda.

“We’re always together here; we’re more like a family than just a team.

“It creates a really comfortable and happy atmosphere, which encourages client interaction,” she says.

Socialise Hair provides cutting, styling and colouring services, as well as hair extensions and moisture and protein treatments.

Amanda says the most rewarding part for the team is making people feel beautiful.

“Our clients are important to us. We love spending time creating beautiful hair and awesome friendships.”

Socialise Hair, 117a Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Gungahlin. Call 0422 456690 or visit socialisehair.com.au

Winners balancing professionalism and fun

THE physiotherapists and exercise physiologists at Higher Function are a highly trained team, says CEO Janet Fabbri.

She says the team uses the latest scientific research in their evidence-based treatments, and they are winners because they maintain their professionalism, and still know how to have fun.

“People in pain are often feeling stressed and vulnerable, they’re scared to exercise so we try and make it comforting and it’s a motivating atmosphere as well,” says Janet.

“You don’t want people to feel intimidated, and so we make sure they have enough room to move in our gym and they can choose whatever music they want.”

“We might have Abba playing in our strong-bones class, we’ll be stomping to ‘Mamma Mia’ with weights in our hands and laughing and carrying on. It’s hard work but we laugh a lot and we try, we call it ‘smoke and mirrors’ where we make it seem like it’s really fun but it’s actually very hard work.

“We’re also winners because we’re very thorough, we give people a really good, long assessment and that enables us and gives us time to listen to what’s wrong with people and to find out in great detail what the problem is.”

Higher Function Physio & Pilates, Suite 4, Level 1/23 Petrie Plaza. Call 6262 9664 or visit higherfunction.com.au

Reliable team of knowledgeable staff

COOL Country Natives stocks the largest range of native Australian plants in the ACT and surrounds, says owner Karen Brien.

Her dedicated team of reliable and knowledgeable staff say they’re happy to talk to customers and help them with any queries.

“We go out of our way to help people find the right plant for the right spot; we’re attentive and we know what stock is in the nursery,” she says.

“We specialise in local species as well as hardy and cold tolerant natives, and carry a large range of native plant varieties, ranging in size from tubestock to 200mm, plus a growing range of advanced stock.

“Shoppers can find groundcovers, grasses, ferns, climbers and small-to-large shrubs and trees such as acacia, banksia, crowea, daisies, ferns and grevillea.

“Our growth from humble beginnings has been steady and reliable and assures us of the popularity of native plants in our area.

“We know how it grows and what it requires. The team do their best to help our shoppers wherever they can, and I know the nursery is in good hands.”

Cool Country Natives, 5A Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6257 6666, email retail@coolcountrynatives.com.au or visit coolcountrynatives.com.au

Up-close and beautiful

OLIVIA Robinson, owner of The Glowing Complexions, says their skilled team offers a full range of professional beauty services.

Olivia began working in beauty when she was 15 and, eight years later, she says she’s never stopped learning.

“There’s always more to learn, there’s all these new ingredients to figure out and it just never stops,” she says.

She’s encouraging new people who enter the industry to do a lot of training, and practice as much as they can.

“I struggled getting used to being so close to people, because they’re in such a vulnerable state and you’re near their eyes. It’s a bit nerve-wracking to start with but you do get used to it.”

Olivia loves working in beauty, and loves that there’s new things to learn every day.

“Giving people confidence, and boosting their natural features, it makes them feel good about themselves and that’s why I love it,” she says.

“Facials are fun, and it’s satisfying to see the change in people’s face and skin.”

The Glowing Complexions, 3/16 Weetangera Place, Weetangera. Call 0401 164421 or visit theglowingcomplexions.com

The community promoting Italian culture for decades

THE Dante Alighieri Society of Canberra has been providing the local community with an authentic experience of Italian language and culture for 65 years, says president Franco Papandrea.

“The society has grown from a handful of elite admirers of Italian culture to a substantial broad-based membership of people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds sharing a common interest in Italian culture,” says Mr Papandrea.

“In addition to its long-standing language courses for adults, it is now, with financial support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, helping improve the teaching of Italian in Canberra schools with free mother-tongue language assistants and quality teaching resources.”

Mr Papandrea, who has been involved with the society for almost two decades, says they’ve been fortunate in attracting many talented people with a passion for Italian culture to serve on its management committee. “Our extensive cultural program is well attended by members and the Society’s Choir, the Dante Alighieri Musica Viva Choir, has been a popular feature at numerous community events for more than a decade,” he says.

“Special events are held regularly. The next special event is a visit in August to the Sidney Nolan ‘Inferno’ exhibition at Canberra Museum and Gallery, guided by its director Sarah Schmidt.”

The Dante Alighieri Society, visit danteact.org.au or call Gabrielle on 0413 474 644.

Protective and energy efficient window tinting

DIAMOND Tints is committed to supplying Canberra with one of the best automotive window films on the market, says owner Jason Taylor.

“We’re a family owned business, providing a professional service with top quality automotive window tinting for Canberra and surrounds,” he says.

“We pride ourselves on our experienced, friendly and professional service.”

Jason says there are heaps of benefits to window tints that many people might not initially realise.

“There’s privacy, 99 per cent UV protection, safety and we offer lifetime warranty,” he says.

“Our film will significantly improve your vehicle energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and glare, as well as enhancing overall aesthetics.”

Diamond Tints, 77 Dundas Court, Philip. Call 0404 284122, visit diamondtints.com.au