From special education teacher to business owner making a difference in the NDIS space

Kazz Rasmussen started her career a special education teacher, working in the classroom and consultancy. However, she soon realised that she wanted to make a bigger impact and provide more support to individuals with disabilities.

Kazz's journey to becoming a business owner began in 2016 when she took a year off teaching to care for her ill father. During this time, there was an upswing in parents seeking Kazz’s guidance to navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Although she had no prior knowledge of the NDIS, Kazz decided to give it a try and never looked back.

Kazz & Co - an NDIS registered disability and special needs support service - now has over 30 staff supporting individuals with mental health challenges who are striving for a fulfilling independent life. The Bendigo-based business also offers tailored independent living programs and individualised support in educational environments.

What sets Kazz apart as a business owner is her empathy and genuine care for her clients. She understands the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families, being a mother of three, with one child diagnosed with autism. This personal experience has given Kazz a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the needs of her clients.

In this episode, Kazz shares her transition from school teacher to business owner. We discuss finding the role of an accountant, the importance of values, hiring staff, investing in business coaches and marketing for support and growth, imposter syndrome, as well as navigating the NDIS system.

You can read our feature story on Kazz in OAK Magazine Issue 13.

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ABOUT OAK MAGAZINE

This episode was hosted by Kimberley Furness, founder + editor of OAK Magazine. We are a proudly independent media publisher dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female change makers and women in business in regional and rural Australia. OAK is an award winning community ecosystem of print, digital, audio and events. We have demonstrated outstanding quality, innovation and impact through our print magazine, podcasts and audio version of OAK Magazine. OAK is where you will find in-depth chats and courageous conversations with women in business from regional and rural Australia.

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For more inspiring stories, visit OAK Magazine website. Hosted by Kimberley Furness, Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

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