South Australia’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year turns dream into reality

South Australian Business News
Elisa Luck
Thursday, January 23rd 2025
Qusion

It has been six months since Jesse Cordoma was named South Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year, after graduating from the SA Business Chamber’s Entrepreneur Start up Program graduation.

Mr Cordoma was recognised for his innovative drink system​Qusion which uses recyclable pods filled with unique ingredients to craft delicious cocktails in seconds. 

Elisa Luck, General Manager of Programs and Consulting at the South Australian Business Chamber, says Our Entrepreneur Start Up Program is designed to assist entrepreneurs of all ages in turning their business concept into a reality or help create a sustainable business model for a newly established business”.

Participants get a dedicated Business Mentor and attend workshops to gain an understanding of business fundamentals. After the Program, participants will leave armed with a comprehensive, fully formed business plan, ready to successfully launch or establish their business” says Ms Luck.

Mr Cordoma says, The Chamber’s Start Up Program was instrumental in accelerating Qusion’s startup journey, providing valuable guidance and support to me along the way”. 

The program helped provide clearer direction on what to focus on and prioritise for the business. As a result, the progress I made with Qusion during the 9‑month Program was the equivalent to about 3‑years of work on my own”.

Jesse leveraged every part of the Program to his advantage. From workshops and mentorships to business plan development, he’s approached everything with an open mind, demonstrating true entrepreneurial determination and enthusiasm,” said Ms Luck. 

The Program gave Jesse the motivation and drive to take his business more seriously, leading him to pursue Qusion full-time, transforming it from a dream into a dedicated career path and reality. Jesse is currently working toward officially launching Qusion to market by mid-to-late 2025. His team now includes five other passionate individuals, including a fellow Program alumnus!

The Program helped Jesse gain a better understanding of the essential components involved in building and managing a business, from areas such as business modelling, marketing to even cash flow forecasting. It facilitated connections with exceptional mentors and experts across various business areas, opening doors to opportunities that Qusion is still benefiting from even today. 

Jesse’s words of wisdom to aspiring entrepreneurs:” Get comfortable with risk. Starting your own business will always involve risks and challenges, but that’s okay! What matters is how you persevere, navigate, and minimise those risks where you can using the experience and insights you gain throughout your business journey”.

The most common hurdle and risk I’ve faced is the financial uncertainty that comes with starting a business, which is completely understandable. While it’s crucial to be strategic about your finances and when to invest in your own business, remember that money can always be earned back, but the regret of never trying may stay with you forever” says Mr Cordoma

If you’re an Entrepreneur looking to make your business dream a reality, expressions of interest for our March/​April 2025 intake are now open here.

Author

Elisa Luck

General Manager, Programs and Consulting
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