2025 Small Business Finalists
The Ethnic Business Awards Foundation would like to congratulate all of the finalists of the 2025 Small Business Category.
Prancing Pony Brewery– Dr Corinna Steeb – Adelaide, SA
Prancing Pony Brewery, founded by Corinna Steeb who migrated from Germany in 1983, is a female-led, award-winning craft brewery located in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. After retraining through university and building successful careers in science and management, Corinna and her husband Frank Samson (now Head Brewer) launched the brewery in 2011. Open seven days a week, it offers a unique industrial tourism experience where visitors can witness the brewing process and enjoy locally sourced food and beverage. With around 1,000 weekly patrons, the brewery is a vibrant community hub known for sustainability, inclusivity, and social impact.
Global Drone Solutions – Mahmood Hussein – Perth, WA
Mahmood Hussein, Founder and CEO of Global Drone Solutions (GDS), launched Australia’s most awarded drone pilot training provider in 2016 at the age of 62. Originally from a remote village in Pakistan, he built a diverse career across mining and education after migrating to the UK and later Australia. GDS has grown into a CASA-approved organisation with over 15 staff, multiple locations, and more than 6,000 certified pilots. Known for its Aboriginal Ranger programs and aviation courses for regional students, GDS champions innovation, inclusion, and social impact—donating 15% of profits to global charities and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. Mahmood’s story is a testament to lifelong learning and the power of purpose-driven leadership.
Kairos Care Pty Ltd – Manna Maniago – Seven Hills, NSW
Manna Maniago is the CEO and Managing Director of Kairos Care Pty Ltd, an NDIS-registered provider offering mental health and disability care services across Greater Sydney and Brisbane. Originally from the Philippines, Manna moved to Sydney in the early 2000s and earned her Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2015. She founded Kairos Counselling and Psychotherapy Australia in 2019, later expanding into disability care through Kairos Care, which now employs around 60 staff. Under her leadership, the organisation champions diversity, innovation, and inclusion. Manna’s work reflects her commitment to breaking mental health stigma and empowering vulnerable communities through compassionate, client-focused care.
Phoenix Specialised Youth and Disability Services – Dr Valentine Gonsalves – Clayton, VIC
Dr Valentine is a respected leader in Australia’s forensic disability and child protection sectors, with over 30 years of service. Born in India and raised in Dubai, he migrated to Australia at age 15, where he faced racial vilification and social exclusion as an immigrant teenager. These early challenges shaped his commitment to social justice and advocacy for marginalised communities. After beginning his career with Victoria Police and working across disability accommodation, Juvenile Justice, and Child Protection, he founded Phoenix Specialised Youth & Disability Services in 2019. The company delivers 24/7 support across Victoria, NSW, and the Northern Territory, focusing on forensic disability, youth care, and rehabilitation.
