Tony Steven was born in Hobart, Tasmania, and educated at Brisbane Grammar and Taroona High (now known as Princess Mary Grammar), before continuing his studies at Hobart Matriculation College. After completing TAFE, he was rewarded with a Diploma of Business Management, which he used to gain employment in hospitality management and the airline industry.

Years later he went back to TAFE and gained a Diploma of Business Management. During this time he took on the role of State Director of the Liberal Party in Tasmania and then Executive Director of the Retail Traders Association of Tasmania. He also managed and redeveloped a health and fitness club as well. Through these ventures Tony gained invaluable experience in association management, the not-for-profit sector and small business. Using this experience and knowledge, Tony went on to start his own association management company called, Association Offices Pty Ltd.

After assuming the role of executive director of the Retail Traders Association of Tasmania for over four years, and managing a health and fitness club as well, Tony gained invaluable experience in association management, the not-for-profit sector and small business. Using this experience and knowledge, Tony went on to start his own association management company called Association Offices.

As managing director of Association Offices, Tony is also the CEO for the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia Ltd (COSBOA) and is regularly in touch with the Federal Government speaking on a range of matters that concern small business owners. He is chair of Small Enterprise Telecommunications Centre (SETEL); a member of the Business Regulation Advisory Group with treasury; a member of the ASIC Business Advisory Group; and for the last two years has been a keynote speaker at the National Small Business Summit which he manages on behalf of COSBOA.

Tony is constantly representing Australian small business owners on issues such as business education, industrial relations reform, government relations with small business, training, compliance and national standards.

Tony still resides in Hobart with his wife, Helen, and four children.