Graham and Leonie have run a range of businesses together over the past 25 years.

Their ultimate goal is to achieve financial security through “passive income” sources, including commercial and residential property investments. 

With Graham’s real estate experience, they initially started buying large parcels of rural land and subdividing smaller farm holdings, targeting lifestyle buyers.

During this time they purchased and “grew” a monogrammed mail order printing business at Erina, operating for 17 years, servicing schools and preschools throughout Australia.

During 1995, with Leonie’s previous experience and qualifications in the Early Childhood sector, they built and opened Kincumber Kids Factory, the first child care service located within an industrial area, on the Central Coast, which they operated until December 2006.

By 2007 they were looking for a new challenge, and after occasional visits to the Hunter Valley on their rare days off, discovered a bed and breakfast property which had fallen into receivership, and seemingly had much potential! Bluebush Estate in Lovedale offers 4.5 star accommodation for up to 40 guests.

The business is achieving a high level of success, through its uniqueness in the marketplace. Leonie shares their point of difference, “There are many accommodation choices within the Hunter Valley, but Bluebush Estate is the only one that offers consumers the opportunity to book the Entire Estate for exclusive private use, for up to 40 corporates, friends and family.”

The future of the business is bright with the region opening up logistically even more. Graham explains, “In 2013 the newly constructed Hunter Expressway is due to open with the exit within 5 minutes from the Estate. It is expected that this will save Sydney travellers up to 30 mins off their journey.”

During the next 12 months the growth of the Lovedale area will increase with this new road.

It is expected that Lovedale will become the new “gateway” to the Hunter Valley area, and in addition it is forecast that during 2012, 26 weekends of international entertainment will be offered by establishments such as Hope Estate, Bimbadgen and Tempus Two (incl Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, Il Divo, Tim McGraw, George Michael and Duran Duran) which places a huge demand on local accommodation services, resulting in strong projected turnover and occupancy figures for the next financial year.

The concept of making this project a 5 year plan has always been the focus of Graham and Leonie – to build the business up, turn it into a successful force and sell as a strong going concern.

Currently living on the Central Coast, Leonie says it’s time to sell, “Due to the fact we reside on the Central Coast, the logistics of our real estate subdivisional projects currently running in the Central West of NSW, mean that we geographically need to travel excessive distances over the month.”

“This has brought about the decision by us, to list the sale of the business (Leasehold) and/or Property (Freehold) on the market. We believe the timing is right for the new owners to take advantage of the previously injected funds and labour into the property, and benefit enormously from the forthcoming Hunter Expressway link.”

“There are currently a number of lifestyle properties for sale in the Hunter, but few show such strong trading and profit figures as Bluebush Estate.”

The business also regularly supports requests from local, regional and interstate community groups, organising fundraising events for various needs, with the donation of midweek accommodation gift vouchers balanced with its commercial interests, “It is expected that the business will achieve further growth in turnover and profitability in 2012. Our website recently hit 100,000 hits per month.”

If you would like to get in contact with Leonie or Graham to discuss the business or to leverage off their own experiences, click here.

They would be more than happy to share.