PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Suzanna Edwards, Ar/Tec

Embracing the challenge of changed circumstances, Suzanna took a reality check when it came to her future career prospects. 

Guided and assisted by the Small Business Advisory Service from the Eastern Suburbs Business Centre, Suzanna Edwards started her own unique small business, Ar/Tec Consulting - preventative conservation and environmental monitoring of artworks, ensuring their security against the harmful effects of lights, temperature, humidity, insects, people and pollution.

When family life and her children were no longer Suzanna's primary focus, she consolidated her academic background, a degree in microbiology, biochemistry, archaeology and zoology from Sydney University. 

It led her to a position as Environmental Officer then Science Officer in the Conservation Department of The National Gallery in Canberra.  For seventeen years, to be exact.  This was her introduction to the specialist area of prevention, conservation, safety and monitoring of valuable artworks. 

She found herself in this new niche, spending six years learning about temperature, lux levels, and the intricate details of controlling the environment in order to conserve art. Fascinated by the whole process, she fully absorbed the experience and relished the opportunity. 

For the remaining nine years at the gallery she was also able to fulfil a responsible administrative role as Painting and Objects Coordinator.

In 2000, Suzanna had to come to Sydney for personal reasons.  So, with careful planning, she began applying for jobs prior to the move. 

It was at this point, having sent off some thirty resumes for jobs perfectly matched to her experience - in institutions, galleries, trusts - she began to realise her age was working against her, as she was systematically declined for positions. At approximately fifty years of age, this was the problem. Her qualifications were spot on. 

Disillusioned with the process, Suzanna finally took a job as a pathologist, far removed from her specialty training in preventative conservation. 

Once established in Sydney, Suzanna visited the Eastern Suburbs Business Enterprise Centre in June 2000, having heard about ESBEC through her son, where the advice of Centre Director, David Baumgarten, inspired her to take leave from her day job and complete a Small Business course. 

Commencing in August, the six-week course enabled Suzanna to realise her ambitions and passion for her learned skills in preventative conservation of artwork, and to fulfil her desire to manage her "own show", specialising in such a delicate and unusual craft.

She liked the professionalism at ESBEC, coupled with an encouraging and positive attitude towards her, where, instead of meeting with rejection, she met with an honest appraisal and the necessary tools and lessons required to set up her own small business.

Formulating the business plan was one of the key goals, ensuring her steady and definite path towards her consultancy. 

Within the first three months Ar/Tec Consultancy had a lucky break, winning a contract with the Olympic Games exhibitions.

From its inception in September 2000, it now has an impressive raft of private clients and institutions like Macquarie University where Suzanna monitors the Museum of Ancient Cultures, the Museum of Earth Sciences and the Biological Museum.

It is a constant commitment to success that leads Suzanna Edwards to identify clients, as part of the essential marketing component to any successful small business. 

She is assisted here through networking at ESBEC functions, while touching base with ESBEC to continuously update skills like BAS and GST training courses.

Suzanna concurrently studies her Masters Degree in Egyptian archaeology, and half way through the course, finds this a wonderful balance to her business life, giving her a fuel and passion to keep striving to make her consultancy work. 

Suzanna feels confident her business will succeed as she explains:

"I offer a specialty service to private clients and institutions, for a reasonable rate, I write a comprehensive report which is an official and confidential document that can be referred to by insurance companies and the client to ensure the safe conditions of their very valuable artworks. I am also trained in insect control and couriering valuable pieces worldwide."

Armed with her technical equipment: the lux metre, psychro dyne and hydro graph, she is able to work on retainer, installing her equipment on site, where complicated charts graph temperatures, UV rays, and humidity.  She is able to regularly interpret this complex data for her client, in ongoing reports. 

Suzanna attributes preparation and a willing attitude to her current business status. 

She is ready to tackle the challenge in shaping a rewarding business on her own merits with the assistance of the small business advisory resources of ESBEC and her own brand of very hard work, determination and the knowledge that artists and their works will be better for it.
 

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