Who we are
ABERA was founded by husband and wife team Paul and Paula Misipeka, who personally know what it is like to fail in a business venture, following the impact of the 2009 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on their business of 19 years. Confronted by the magnitude of their losses and complex personal challenges, impacting not only themselves but also their four children, they knew there had to be a better way forward.
In 2010 they started a support group called LABSgroup (Liquidation, Administration and Bankruptcy Support Group) which, at that time was way ahead of itself in concept and understanding by the general public, however sixteen business owners attended that first program, gaining support, education, personal insight and friendship. The learnings from that era, became the foundation of what today is ABERA.
In the past, the idea of providing a more ‘regenerative response’ to business failure was often met with a raised eyebrow, but we are now living in times where it has become clear that business owners are operating in fast changing, demanding and uncertain economic times. Failure rates are rising. The optimist would say ‘there is always an opportunity for success’ and we agree …
People can learn from business failure - and do business better, for Australia.
We show them how.
Pioneers. Thinkers. Rebuilders.
Meet our advisory team.
Dr Anna Jenkins - Senior Lecturer and Researcher. School of Business, Faculty of Business at the University of Queensland
Dr Anna Jenkins studies how small business owners manage setbacks and failure. Her research focuses on how small business owners respond to failure, how they reduce the impact failure can have on their well-being, and the effectiveness of different coping strategies for their well-being and future employment.
She has been awarded a number of prestigious research grants for this work including funding from The Swedish Retail and Wholesale Development Council and Swedbank.
Her other area of expertise is on the start-up process and the activities and processes which entrepreneurs engage in to explain why some startups emerge successful and growing and others either stagnate or fail.
She currently holds an ARC Discovery grant for this project where she is leading a project following the development and trajectories of startups for over four years.
She is familiar with a variety of research methods having conducted large scale longitudinal quantitative studies and narrative interviews with small business owners who have failed. As well as ethnographic field work and experiments.
Dr Orla Byrne - Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at University College Dublin
Orla Byrne is Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at University College Dublin College of Business. Orla’s research looks at people, processes and practices of entrepreneurship. Her work focuses on both very early stages of start-up, when individuals become entrepreneurs and create something from nothing, and the end of a venture's journey when entrepreneurs must close their business. Within these contexts, she’s particularly interested in sensemaking, emotions, and identity transitions as well as the daily practices involved in creating, ending, and moving on from a failed business. Through her published and applied research Orla has been advocating for greater support for entrepreneurs after business failure. She is also a founding member of the International Entrepreneurship as Practice Research Community, with a focus on growing scholarly and practical insights into the daily practices, routines, and actions of everyday entrepreneurial life.
Our Board
Our foundational team bring together a wealth of business experience, consultancy and expertise across various domains. With backgrounds ranging from small business startups to the facilitation of government-funded programs, project management, program development and business resilience and recovery. They possess a unique blend of skills that are crucial for establishing and strengthening ABERA’s place of support in the broader business ecosystem.
PAUL MISIPEKA
As a founding board member of ABERA, Paul brings to the table 19 years of invaluable business ownership and a rich reservoir of business acumen which has been cultivated through diverse roles. His experience in entrepreneurship, in both State and Federally funded positions, has given him a deep understanding of the challenges encountered by business owners amidst difficult economic climates. Paul's educational background and professional trajectory includes the inception and growth of small businesses, the provision of small business financial counselling services, and the facilitation of federally-funded business programs. Presently, he holds a pivotal project management position, collaborating closely with remote and indigenous councils, showcasing his versatility and commitment to inclusive development initiatives.
PAULA MISIPEKA
Paula is a founder and board member of ABERA. She has a background encompassing business ownership, mentoring, facilitation of federally-funded entrepreneurship business programs and program development. With a keen focus on inclusivity, Paula has engaged with business owners across various social strata. She fosters a deep understanding of the diverse needs and challenges of business owners. Recognised for her expertise in designing effectual training initiatives, she focuses on capability, capacity and the needs of each business owner. She crafts tailored support solutions that benefit individuals, communities, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Her business failure research and demonstrated proficiencies have made her a trusted and relatable advisor for those seeking change within their respective spheres.
SHARON HARRIS
Sharon is a seasoned business owner, with a robust understanding of the operational hurdles inherent in business initiation and continuance. She possesses a wealth of knowledge in navigating the challenges faced in business. Sharon recognises that encountering setbacks and experiencing business loss, can serve as a catalyst for refining and enhancing operational practices and ‘doing business better’. She believes that leveraging such lived experiences is instrumental in fostering continuous improvement and resilience within the entrepreneurial landscape. Sharon's dedication to supporting fellow business owners makes her an excellent foundational board member.