Location vs Determination
by Taraeta Nicholls
235km East of Perth in the heart of the wheat belt, men and women are doing what they have done for thousands of years; they're toiling the land, producing wheat, sheep, oats, barley and lupins. With less than 200 people and only a handful of shops in the township, it's the last place on earth you'd expect to find a thriving new business. After falling in love with and marrying a farmer, I moved to the tiny township of Trayning, W.A., and with limited opportunities for ongoing employment, turned to the land around her for inspiration. A love of all things handmade and an almost endless supply of grains saw the birth of Aquarian Country Craft and a new direction. By focusing on the items grown on the farm, wheat, lupins and split peas, I was able to create a range of affordable and useful items delivered to your door for less than you would pay in the local chemist. Heat Packs, Eye Pillows, Clove Bags and Spiced Trivets form the basis of the range, with their handmade appeal and old world charm ensuring a steady demand. In response to the large number of people who dislike using a wheat heat pack or with severe wheat allergies, I have developed the Lupin Heat Pack, which provides all of the same therapeutic benefits of a wheat heat pack, without the risk for those with wheat sensitivity. Lupins have been cultivated for centuries as forage and grain legumes, and are used for livestock and poultry feed as well as human consumption, but their versatility has proven particularly successful for Country Crafts with their use in the heat pack.Despite the remote location and isolation, by thinking "outside the square" and by using her existing talents and the resources she could source on the farm, I have managed to build a successful business both on-line and with items being stocked in a number of local outlets. My range is diverse covering so many different craft items. My story is a reminder to us all that with a little creative thinking and some motivation, the world of small business is free to be conquered. Location matters not; determination is the key.Visit www.aquarian.net.au to find out where you can buy these items!!
About the Author
I am a 29 year old wife who has relocated to a rural area with limited employment. Starting up an online business dealing in craft items has helped increase off farm income. Learning to sew and craft at a young age has given Taraeta the skills to start a business in a niche thriving industry. Visit their website at: www.aquarian.net.au
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