NCAM Interview with Ben Casado (NCOB 2006)
The Nudgee College Alma Mater sat down with Ben to ask him a few questions and learn more about his business.
Tell us about yourself and your career?
I am the Managing Director at Immerse VA Solutions - a Virtual Assistance service I started seven years ago with myself and one team member working on updating 22,000 entries on a spreadsheet to now a team of 35 across Brisbane, Perth and the Philippines doing all sorts of administrative and digital marketing support.
After finishing my dual degree in Law and Business from QUT, I continued working in the Finance and Human Resources sectors.
I identified a gap in Virtual Assistants really providing tailored support and looked at redeveloping what it means to help elevate a business through offshoring - hence the name Immerse.
I am a big believer in collaboration for success - if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go further, go together - mentality.
What motivated you to be involved with the NCAM?
Business has taken up most of my life these past seven years and so last year's Business Series really piqued my interest.
It became the catalyst in giving me an opportunity to contribute to our community in a forum I am really passionate about and wished I had known more about from a younger age. That is, entrepreneurship and all the highs and lows that this entails.
Tell us about your involvement and thoughts on the Business Series events we produce?
Something I can't get enough of. Again, as I am a big believer in collaboration, I really love learning through hearing the tales of those who have walked before me, and looking at how I can empower those around me, and those that will continue the charge after me. So much can be gained and learned by having an open mind and an ear for listening.
The wisdom and real world application of it was something that captivated me as soon as I walked into the door.
What do you hope to bring to the Nudgee College Alma Mater committee?
A lot I'd like to think - but more so a thirst for innovation and growth that will be embodied in the work I do with the committee and community. While I feel like I'm still in the infancy of my own business journey and success, there's already so much I can share in the way of my experiences.
I'm nothing without my amazing virtual team, however, and so I can lean on them as well to help propel us forward. I'd love to engage in more meaningful conversations and am open to new ideas which I can help implement.
Why do you think the NCAM is an important part of the Nudgee College community?
We can get caught up in life and careers after our time at Nudgee College and so keeping in touch and helping elevate one another can sometimes be put on the back burner. Being a proud former student, and the whole experience will always be a pillar of my being.
While you may leave the gates after Year 12, Nudgee College never really leaves you and so we need a forum where we can help each other develop and grow into the next chapters of our lives.
Nudgee College Alma Mater has the potential to really do this, amongst other amazing things.
What would you like to see in the future for the Nudgee College Alma Mater?
Would love more workshops together and with the wider community about how we can grow our sphere of influence in supporting our Alma Mater in all facets of their lives - whether that's business, professional, personal or otherwise.
