From the Ground Up: Ali’s Journey
Six States Security Services was founded by Ali, a driven entrepreneur who knows what it takes to build a business from the ground up.
Originally from Pakistan, Ali moved to Australia over 20 years ago to pursue a higher education. What started as a student journey quickly evolved into a deep-rooted commitment to entrepreneurship and leadership. Over his journey, he worked in various roles across the security industry; from Operations Manager to CFO and ultimately CEO gaining firsthand experience across every layer of business.
Throughout his journey, one thing stood out, a saturated market where businesses copied each other rather than innovating.
“I knew that in such a crowded space, the only way to rise above was to think differently. We needed to combine professionalism, technology, smart internal processes, and a clear focus on people.”
With that belief, Ali launched Six States with a simple but powerful mantra, to deliver exceptional services at competitive prices, focusing on people and innovation whilst never compromising on quality.
The Challenge: A Growth Roadblock
In its first year, Six States experienced rapid growth. New clients came on board quickly, and the business was scaling at an impressive pace. But with growth came operational pressure.
“Growth was never the problem. Funding was,” says Ali.
With clients operating on an average of 90 to 120-day payment terms, cashflow quickly became a bottleneck. Ali needed working capital to meet payroll obligations and cover rising operational costs.
Initially, Six States partnered with another finance provider to bridge the gap. However, the relationship proved more difficult than expected due to their lack of understanding of their business model.
“It felt like we were constantly chasing them,” Ali recalls. “Communication was slow and ineffective, and then without warning, we received a termination letter. That’s not how a partnership works.”
What should have been a supportive and advantageous solution benefiting both organisations became a major obstacle for Six States, highlighting just how critical the right financial partner is to sustainable growth.
Enter APositive: A Lifeline at the Right Time
At a critical juncture, Six States reconnected with Apositive, a simple conversation would prove to be a turning point.
“We’d spoken months earlier, but when payroll was overdue and costs were piling up, the need became urgent.”
From the very first call, the difference was clear. Apositive responded with empathy, urgency, and clarity. Ali felt that Apositive took the time to understand what was happening on the ground and offered immediate support.
“Apositive didn’t just unlock funds, they stabilised the business. Within days, overdue wages were paid, overheads and cash flow were brought under control.”
By unlocking capital tied up in unpaid invoices through invoice funding, Six States was able to restore financial stability and regain momentum.
“But more than the money, it was their mindset,” Ali reflects. “They were calm, they listened, and they delivered an efficacious solution fast.”
The Impact: A Partnership That Enables Growth
Since partnering with Apositive, Six States has not only been able to catch up on overdue payroll but has also maintained a steady and reliable cashflow, supporting new contracts and giving the business the confidence to grow. Ali and the team now feel confident taking on new contracts, knowing they have the backing to deliver without compromise.
With Apositive’s backing, the team has improved internal systems and gained clearer financial visibility, laying the groundwork for sustainable expansion.
Ali expresses deep appreciation for the relationship, noting it goes far beyond just funding.
“Samantha feels like part of our team. I can reach out to her at any time and know I’ll get a response. That level of support is rare and truly invaluable, when you’re building a business.”
Looking Ahead: Doing Things Differently
With the day-to-day pressures eased, Six States is focusing on innovation, investing in automation, integrating AI, and refining operations.
“Thinking forward is essential in building a business. Don’t wait until you need something, particularly something as important as funding. If you even think you’ll need help later, start the conversation now. A partner like Apositive can make a world of difference when you plan ahead.”
The partnership hasn’t just solved cash flow issues, it’s unlocked potential. Ali is now looking at growth and scale rather then survival. Ali puts it simply:
“Don’t copy, create. Think differently and always place originality over imitation. Build something that reflects your vision, not someone else’s. And most importantly, choose to work with people who believe in your vision and journey and are willing to walk it with you.”