Our business community is largely made up of renegades and cowboys. Men and women who decide to take a risk, go it alone and forge their own destiny… but the road is tough and often we have to focus so hard on our own business that we don’t have the drive to help others.
Occasionally a community is rewarded with a rare individual who sees their own struggles in those around them and decides to do something about it. These unicorns quietly work to make their little corner of the world a better place.
Brad Apps took on the challenge of business and a new career, switching from Auto-Electrician to programming, founding EC Connect. With quiet determination he built the business but was determined to help others on the same journey.
In 2017, he and his wife, Joanna, founded the Logan Startup Hub, creating a space for isolated dreamers to come together and collaborate. A community within a community providing mentoring, networking and educational events.
Talking to so many people with great ideas but no seed funding, Brad was instrumental in founding the Logan Angels, an offshoot of the Brisbane Angels, to give Logan business an avenue to more funding options and, in effect, hope.
With so much identified innovation, Regional Development Australia (RDA) – Logan and Redlands saw a need to pull the local players together and funded the creation of Innov8 Logan. Again, Brad was an active participant, helping set the direction of this new organisation.
After 15 years in the software business, Brad and Joanna sold EC Connect and were preparing to sail into their next adventure.
Sadly, last week, without warning, Brad passed away, with his wife and daughters by his side. They have lost a devoted husband and doting father. Logan has lost a giant.
Logan is stronger because of Brad Apps, his vision, hard work and smile. From all the people you inspired, the community you helped to build and the fellow entrepreneurs who shared your passion, thank you.
