Nathan Martin: from prison to business owner and CEO

Most people face at least one turning point in their life but not everybody turns the right way.

Ex-prisoner and Yuin man Nathan Martin did.

He’s now Chief Executive Officer of his own company, Yalagan Group, helping fellow Indigenous Australians get back on their feet and into long-term employment.

‘I never had a birthday or Christmas with my son until he was five and once you go to jail nobody truly wants to go back, but factors in their life can lead them back down that path,’ Nathan said.

‘I wanted to change this for myself and my family and my community if I could.’

In 2017, the year after being released from Long Bay prison, he established Yalagan, which is Yuin for “hard working” or “smart fellow”.

Yalagan is an Indigenous recruitment and labour hire business that targets construction companies throughout Australia.

Nathan said setting up Yalagan Group was hard because not many companies want to support somebody with a record.

‘Until the National Indigenous Australian Agency came along, we had never received any government support in my mission,’ he said.

Yalagan is now a successful national business remaining true to its principles, maintaining over 50% Indigenous engagement.

Nathan’s company supports clients with training and mentorship, just like he received.

‘There were many times I thought about it [giving up] but having a mentor  who continued to encourage and guide me on this path has been an amazing line of support,’ Nathan said.

The future is bright for Nathan and Yalagan. In 10 years’ time, he hopes Yalagan is a national market leader in Indigenous transitional employment, with a successful Registered Training Company and Group Training Organisation that is building and supporting the disadvantaged from the ground up and providing critical support to them during their careers.

 ‘At the beginning I was shy and reserved by nature,’ he said.

‘Many others have said they are amazed how I transitioned from everything that happened in my life to becoming a CEO and business leader.’

‘Going off what my friends and peers have noticed, I would say I have a great ability to form and build lasting professional relationships. That has definitely developed since establishing Yalagan.’

Many of Yalagan’s clients have been in prison like Nathan.

‘Ultimately, I feel satisfaction and joy for the people we help, knowing that the things they need such as money, stability and being able to support themselves or their family, are things we helped them achieve.

To transition people into successful lives requires a willing client but also a willing employer. Nathan has a message to the businesses hiring his clients.

‘We don’t do day labour. We never will. Our focus has always been sustainable career paths and long-term project outcomes so we want companies as partners on that journey, not as clients.’

‘We want strong engagement and support in helping Indigenous, disadvantaged or the underrepresented in building their careers.’