Don’t Go It Alone. The Alternative Board Illawarra, NSW’s Got Your Back.

The Alternative Board brings you a thriving community of forward-thinking CEOs, business owners and leadership teams who share the collective wisdom and inspiration to radically improve their companies. Through unique combinations of one-on-one business coaching, participation in monthly TAB Board meetings, a suite of strategic tools and workshops, TAB Membership delivers greater strength to your business and a better work/life balance for you and your family. All packaged in a streamlined and affordable service that we invite you to try, risk-free.

Jun 9, 2026

NSW – Julian Smith

0413 044 479

The Alternative Board Illawarra, NSW – Julian Smith

As the owner of The Alternative Board Illawarra, I’m passionate about helping business owners gain clarity, make better decisions and build businesses that support the life they want to lead.

With more than 20 years’ experience in business ownership, management consulting and board advisory roles, I’ve worked alongside organisations across a diverse range of industries, helping them tackle challenges, identify opportunities and achieve sustainable growth. Having started, acquired and operated my own businesses, I understand firsthand the pressures, complexities and sometimes loneliness that can come with business ownership.

What I enjoy most is helping business owners step away from the day-to-day pressures, gain clarity, and focus on what matters most. Whether it’s strategic planning, prioritisation, growth, operational improvement or leadership development, my role is to provide perspective, accountability and practical guidance so they can build a successful business while creating the life they want to lead.

What drew me to The Alternative Board was its unique ability to help business owners break through the isolation that often comes with running a business. Having experienced business ownership myself, I know how important it is to have trusted advisors and peers who can provide perspective, challenge your thinking and help you navigate the road ahead.

I believe business is ultimately about creation. Turning an idea into something meaningful, building a team, creating opportunities and making an impact is one of the most rewarding journeys a person can take. Through The Alternative Board’s wide range of proven tools, strategic frameworks, leadership development programs, business planning resources, coaching and peer advisory boards, I help business owners gain clarity, make better decisions and build stronger businesses that support both their professional ambitions and personal goals.

If you’re looking for an experienced sounding board, a practical business coach and a trusted partner to help you navigate the challenges of business ownership, I’d love to help.

Find out more information about me

Sara Sieradzki

Board Owner

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Derek Lundberg

Board Mediator

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Derek Lundberg

Board Mediator

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Derek Lundberg

Board Mediator

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Our members are stronger together.

Our goal is to generate objective, practical advice from like-minded business owners

Grant Colburt – Pioneer Poultry

Dean You Lee – Laser Warriors

Our mentor and fellow board members hold us accountable for the goals and actions we share, so you want to make progress on them each month. Our Facilitator asks hard questions that we’ve been avoiding asking ourselves, ensuring we answer truthfully and then do something about it to head in the right direction. Joining The Alternative Board has kept us focused and given us techniques and tools to start guiding the business into the next phase.

Tori van der Donk
Aegis Business Services

“My role as a sole partner can be quite a lonely one – there is a lot that my family do not understand or appreciate. I’ve found TAB meetings to be positive and supportive. I now have greater confidence and optimism for future plans – knowing that I can venture forward and I can source feedback, support and guidance to give myself every chance to succeed.”

Grant McCarthy
McCarthy & Co

What does a membership with The Alternative Board include?

Business Advisory Boards

As a TAB Member, you’ll gain community, confidence and strategic clarity. You’ll join a carefully selected group of 8-10 peers in your area, coming from a range of non-competing industries. In these monthly, half-day sessions, you’ll get the kind of practical advice and objective perspective that you can’t get from employees, family or friends – helping you make better, faster decisions. By sharing accountability and informed feedback, you’ll gain the personal and professional momentum to confidently achieve your goals.

One-to-one Executive Coaching

Beyond your TAB Board, one-on-one coaching will help you leave conflict, stress and roadblocks behind. With an experienced coach in your corner, you’ll get the personalised guidance you need to make difficult choices and hone your leadership skills. Your coach can help you clarify your vision, prioritise goals, set long-term objectives, gain objective insight into leadership challenges and much more. You’ll be able to enjoy profits and weekends again.

Strategic Tools

With The Alternative Board, you’ll get access to proven strategic business planning tools focused on forming your vision for both a successful business and a fulfilling life. Our Business Builder’s Blueprint™ will help you demystify the strategic planning process and provide a clear picture of how to achieve your strategic direction and vision. We can help you retire earlier and truly enjoy everything you’ve worked for.

Global Connections

Leave loneliness behind with your access to TAB Connect – our exclusive, online business network platform. You’ll connect with business owners from diverse backgrounds in similar verticals around the world – who all share The Alternative Board’s commitment to improving their businesses and changing their lives. Ask questions, get feedback and collaborate with other successful leaders.

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Since joining the Alternative board,
Australian members have

Improve

Members were able to IMPROVE their internal dealing with people organisation issues

Sales

Members saw
GREATER SALES
revenue

Work/life

Members enjoy
GREATER work/life
balance

Value

thought TAB added
REAL VALUE
to their business

Based on an online survey conducted with active TAB Australian members.
Revenue growth numbers are based on 2017-2018

Start your TAB journey

We invite you to try TAB and find out if we’re a good fit, risk-free.

Get in touch to explore how TAB can help you stop overworking and start fully living.

TRY TAB

Meet with your nearest board facilitator to get to know each other and ask questions.

Discover whether TAB is right for you and your business.

Attend your first TAB board meeting and experience the power of peer support.

TRY TAB

There’s more with StratPro.

In addition to standard membership, take advantage of our proven business transformation program, specifically designed to help you create an aligned, focused and accountable leadership team that delivers real results.

LEARN MORE

Get to know The Alternative Board Illawarra, NSW – Julian Smith

Are you ready to improve your business and change your life?

BECOME A MEMBER

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Real business progress. Less stress.

FIND MY BOARD

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a TAB Board work?

In monthly, half-day meetings, you’ll gather with your peers to discuss challenges, set goals and provide feedback. Board meetings are led by a TAB Certified Facilitator Coach. Your Facilitator has a wide array of professional expertise and has been trained to lead and facilitate business owner advisory boards, helping to draw out issues, ask clarifying questions, and provide suggestions, ideas and advice.

Unlike traditional business meetings that many of us have experienced, a TAB Board gives everyone equal time – equal time to discuss and seek help on their own challenge or opportunity. No one will dominate the meeting or take up a disproportionate amount of time. Your facilitator will keep the meeting on track and ensure you get what you need out of each meeting.

How can I benefit from the opinions of those on the board?

The big decisions have been all on your shoulders. Until now. The business owners and leaders on your board bring decades of collective wisdom and experience to the table. They also will not have a vested interest in your business beyond a genuine desire to help you. As a result, they’ll give you impartial business advice based on real-world experience, since they likely will have faced similar challenges themselves. You also get to do the same for them. Not only does the board provide accountability and expert advice, it becomes a mechanism for developing valuable friendships and community.

I don’t have enough time for most things, so how will I have time for this?

TAB is designed for busy leaders. We’ll help you increase profits without increasing your workload. Our monthly meetings are only half-day and are expertly facilitated to ensure efficiency and value. You’ll gain the freedom to live the life you’ve been working for.

TAB’s carefully crafted services encourage you to take time away from your business. In stepping back briefly, you will benefit from the insight, experience, and wisdom of your TAB facilitator and your fellow Board members. You’ll gain the support and skills you need to make better, faster decisions and start reclaiming your time.

How will people from other industries be able to understand my unique business and help me with challenges and opportunities?

All businesses are unique in some way, but they still face many of the same major issues with time, people, strategy, money, vision and exit planning.

You are an expert in your sector, but everyone on your Board is an expert in business. The advantage of working with fellow business owners and leaders from diverse backgrounds is their ability to provide new perspectives and different ways to handle the same situation based on real world experience.

You will also get the opportunity to help others with their business growth by offering your perspective and advice. It’s a win-win!

What is the investment for a TAB membership?

We are confident you will get a return on investment for your monthly TAB membership fee. As we offer personalised business support services, a conversation with your nearest TAB facilitator will guide you through the process and allow them to provide you with your bespoke quote.

We’re so confident in our service that we offer a money-back guarantee – if you don’t feel you’ve received value after three months of TAB membership, we’ll give your money straight back.

Can a competitor join my board?

Put simply: no. We make sure a competitor cannot join your board. We have a comprehensive process that ensures you do not sit on a board with potential competitors. A key part of our screening process allows existing members to prevent new members from joining their board where they feel a conflict of interest could exist. This will guarantee no competitors join your group.

Can I attend a board before deciding to be a TAB member?

Some of our TAB facilitators offer the opportunity to attend a sample Board meeting, giving you the chance to experience how TAB works and the value it can provide for you and your business. Equally, if there are places on an existing Board and your facilitator thinks you’d be a good fit, they may invite you as a guest.

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