Taking charge of business: Danny Kordahi

By Staff Writers, September 18 2013
Taking charge of business: Danny Kordahi

This article is paid contentsponsored by American Express

This series of articles sponsored by American Express looks at some of Australia’s brightest and most successful small business entrepreneurs to determine what motivates them, how they got where they are today, and why charge is intrinsic to their business.  

Danny Kordahi opened a promotional merchandise and corporate uniform business at age 31.

Just six years later, he merged his thriving business with his brother’s equally successful company to form DKM Blue.

Today, their business is a market leader, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, London and Shanghai.

Finding security

The journey from small start-up to multinational company has not been without its challenges, as Danny freely admits. 

“Because we were only a new business, not many suppliers would give us credit terms so we were very limited by our cash flow, or lack of. This initially curtailed our plans and growth”.

In 2005, Danny applied for his American Express Platinum Business Card and his business started to see the effects of using Charge.

He found the 51 credit-free days the most influential benefit when it came to extending his cash flow.

The unsecured line of funding Charge affords also impressed Danny and has been a key component of his business model.

“In business there’s a lot of uncertainty – you don’t know what’s going to occur tomorrow. It’s not easy going to the bank and asking for funds. Having unsecured funding that’s there at your disposal is invaluable.” 

Additional benefits

Concierge, the personalised assistance service of the Platinum Business Card, is another reason why Danny is such an advocate.

“Whenever I travel to a new city I’ve never been to before, I call the Concierge line. I was in New York City and needed to book a hotel. I called Concierge, and they booked the hotel, dinner, and organised everything for me. It was like having my own personal assistant.”

Danny’s genuinely enthused about the role the Charge Card has played in his business.

“I’ve been a Platinum Business Card member since 2005, and in all honesty I don’t know why some businesses wouldn’t have it.”

With further plans to expand DKM Blue, including the recent acquisition of two clothing brands and the launch of a range of luggage and accessories, Danny is looking forward to another year of solid growth.

Click here to watch more interviews with other successful business owners.

If you’re interested in applying for a Platinum Business Card, American Express is offering an introductory 75,000 Membership Rewards points to those who apply by 31 December and spend $10,000 in the first 3 months. Just call 132 493 to get started. Visit the American Express Platinum Business Card website for full terms and conditions. 

This article is paid contentsponsored by American Express


13 Dec 2011

Total posts 30

Are you guys struggling for content?
Some of your recent articles are taking this site in a pretty ordinary direction.
Some particularly bad ones (apart from this one) are:

There are plenty of other sites that cover this rubbish.
I thought your site had a bit more substance.

19 Jan 2012

Total posts 427

I agree the Amex article is just pap, but regard the expert tips and the Alaskan point buy valid content. Although, arguably, yes, available elsewhere.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2207

Have a hiss! Truth be told, the occasional paid piece helps support this site we know and love. It's like advertising on a bus - people hate it, but it helps cover costs.

As long as a paid piece of touting is clearly marked - and here it is - I have no complaint.

19 Jan 2012

Total posts 427

Sure having advertising is a commercial reality, I personally dislike the way it is called an "article" when it's advertising, and is laid out as an article.

Also, if you publish as an "article", you are inviting comment, both good and bad, on the product advertised.....anyway, looking forward to the rest in the series!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2207

I think that's more of a limitation of the platform AusBT is presented on. It's essentially an expanded blog-type site, so everything comes up as a 'post'.

It's not ideal, but it helps cover the cost of providing the other content we enjoy.

19 Jan 2012

Total posts 427

How great for Danny!

What this glorified piece of advertising doesn't tell you, amongst other things:

  • those of us who used to get 1.5 points per dollar paying for our small business tax bills with our Amex cards now only get 0.5 points per dollar, one of several recent "enhancements" which devalued the product for my indivudal spend pattern
  • the cost of the Centurion (black) card went up from $4,300 to $5,000 last year and the cost of the Platinum is going up now from $900 odd to $1200
  • the information on the various benefits and offers on the website are often out-of-date by 6 months or more 
  • the travel service, although staffed by well meaning folk, is usually (in my personal experience) unable to offer deals better than any regular reader of AusBT is likely to find for themselves within few minutes of online research
  • if you miss a payment Amex reserves the right to freeze/clean out your accumulated points balance (not just that pro rata for the amounted owed) (my points account got frozen when I was one day late with a payment)
  • the bonus points are not always programmed properly
  • the "fraud" people at amex are very quick to freeze your account., e.g. try booking two or three hotels for an upcoming trip off the same website over several transactions
  • try fixing something in one phone call when they make a mistake
  • the joy of paying the merchant fees
  • the numerous places in Australia who refuse to accept Amex
  • check you are paying your subscription from the date you activate the card
  • check they don't charge your annual fee more than once (I got a second $4500 annual fee added to my Centurion card)
 
Otherwise, yes, it's an amazing card, because, well... it functions as a charge card. Incredible! 
 
IMHO, if you haven't got something of value to publish, better not to...guess you need the cash to run the site...
 

23 Mar 2012

Total posts 99

Totally agree and to make matters worse they ignor there faithfull long term card holders (been Platinum for over 20 years)and to add insult offer new card holders 80,000 points on sign up. I will be cancelling after the bout of watered down benifits coupled with increased annual fees.Offering membership to Accor hotels dosn't warrant a $300 increase!

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

30 Aug 2013

Total posts 8

Poor that a paid article from Amex appears on an unbiased travel site, I used to work for them....how about unbiased comparison of Amex to other cards..?


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