Case Study - Rhino 4x4

In 2014 we received our first 20 foot container filled with product and had a smallish warehouse / showroom space. We quickly outgrew the space. 
We started working with SMART on our accounting and tax, but progressed quickly into financial planning including SMSF through which we were able to purchase a bigger warehouse and could expand our showroom and operations. Now we get 40ft containers every 6-8 weeks.

We literally do everything with SMART now including insurance advisory and business coaching – the works.

Every year since working with SMART has been a year of growth.

Since COVID we’ve experienced a huge increase since more and more people are planning local travel which involves off-road adventures.

Ben started with a 5-year plan and knew what he was working toward.

Around 2015 we started doing monthly business coaching with Shannon. We were aiming for someone to act as our virtual CFO, ensuring our financial projections VS actual were working well, and that we had a handle on what was going to get us there.

Shannon has full insight into our personal and business financials and accounting so she’s able to look at our business and income ebbs and flows holistically. She’s genuinely got our best interests at the forefront.

Now that we are more established, we do bi-monthly coaching.

Rhino 4x4 offer both a B2B and B2C business model, wholesaling and retailing to over 100 resellers around Australia as well as direct retail.
We also offer a local install service of our 4x4 products. With cross-border manufacturing and logistics we need an accountant and tax advisor that has global expertise. 

Ben identifies gaps in the market and collaborates with factories in Australia, Argentina and China on product design & development, with manufacturing achieved within Australia in collaboration with factories in Argentina and China.

Since 2020, Rhino 4x4 also design and produce roof racks under the brand Trail Max, focussing on tough performance and functional design.

Business Coaching with Shannon has helped us understand our business on a deeper level. It also provides reassurance that our plans and ideas are on track.
Having someone talk through the peaks and troughs in the numbers and how we can smooth things out, discuss strategies and gain clarity on the numbers and beyond.
 
We already knew that our unique selling point was our products have a strong focus on design in addition to performance, something that our competitors are lacking.
Coaching has helping us capitalise on this point of difference. We have a clearer view on working this unique selling point into our marketing.

Currently, our supply cannot fill demand sue to supply chain issues. Unfortunately, this is a by-product of COVID as our partnering manufacturers have been hit so hard and we struggle to obtain our raw materials.

We’re so lucky here in Australia, we really have not seen the effects of COVID anywhere near as bad as other countries. Our competitors are experiencing the same issues, so we just have to ride this time out and focus on other things such as product development and operations.

Having first-hand experience in running a successful business, Shannon is excellent at identifying the gaps in our business. She’ll push things that need to be done making us more accountable, identifying and unpacking the peaks & troughs in numbers, offering guidance and overall support where needed.

For example, when we started to grow and were ready to employ staff, she was able to direct us through the correct avenues to make this happen, from a bookkeeping, financial and HR perspective through to introducing us to other stakeholders where necessary to keep things moving.

We’ve previously not had to do much marketing, having been able to self-mange our website and social media pages. We’ve recently engaged a digital marketing team to hone in on Trail Max. We also are involved in trade shows where people get to see and feel our products and understand how our designs integrate with their vehicles better than other products.

Our point of difference is design AND function.

People want their vehicle to look good, especially in the early 20s demographic. They want their cars and accessories to look good. Function is not always key for this market. Our products address both design AND function.

Shannon’s suggestions come from a first-hand point of view making them very helpful and insightful. Our meetings are reassurance that we are on track, and identifying ways to stay on course, too. 

We’ve experienced big growth in short period of time. The insight provided by Shannon has certainly propelled that.

Having clear business direction and growth is enabling a bit more balance back into our lives.  As the business grows and matures, we are getting closer to being able to step away for periods of time for family holidays and the like. We’re not quite there yet, but working toward stepping away a bit more over time.

Ben now works from home one day per week and has a scheduled week-day off each month which is something that has not been possible for many years.

I work on the business during school hours so I am still available for the needs of our three children aged 10, 12 and 14.
Being more scheduled & structured would never have happened without clearer guidance provided by Shannon.
 
Shannon and Bianca also look after our personal financial planning including our SMSF and insurances. Their involvement has ensured that we have the right insurances in place for both business and personal, helping us feel confident in knowing that even if something were to happen to one of us, that all our hard work is not going to be undone.