In 1994, while Lou Di Virgilio was working in the financial markets in New York, two of his younger brothers, Dominic and Robert, were running a small used car yard in Maddington.
Western Australia's second biggest home building group, Alcock/Brown-Neaves Group, neatly illustrates the challenges facing private businesses trying to manage the combination of rapid economic growth and spiraling costs.
The automotive trade has traditionally been the exclusive preserve of private companies but that changed dramatically 16 months ago when Perth's biggest car dealer listed on the stock exchange.
Western Australia's economic boom has not been all plain sailing for private companies. Our annual review of the sector identifies both winning companies and strugglers, and highlights the large number of sharemarket floats and trade sales.
Fears held by the state's two AFL clubs about the impact of Super 14 club the Western Force on the corporate hospitality market have proved unfounded, with boxes for all three clubs sold out for the 2007 season.
Sport can be a tough business, both on and off the field. Despite WA's strong economy and penchant to spend, corporate sponsorship is as hard as ever for some sporting codes to score.
Rick Hart has revealed he will step down as president of Fremantle Football Club in 2009, leaving recently appointed board member Richard Goyder as a contender for the top job.
Fans of A-League soccer team Perth Glory had cause to celebrate last week when the team announced its long-awaited takeover by a trio of prominent Perth businessmen.
There's no question Western Australia needs a bigger and better outdoor stadium for football and cricket, as well as a dedicated rectangular stadium for rugby and soccer; the questions that remain are where to put them and who will rule.
In the first of a series of interviews with the state's leading sporting coaches, John Worsfold provides an insight into some of the strategies he uses to drive the West Coast Eagles' success.
Former Australian cricketer and Western Australian captain, Graeme Wood, is gearing up for his toughest test yet, as the new chief executive of the WA Cricket Association.
The entire team at WA Business News is proud to introduce the 2007 class of 40under40 winners. They are a remarkable group of individuals who, through sheer determination and passion, have worked hard to achieve their goals and objectives.
