Small Business Development Broadmeadows VIC

October 2019

What is your business? How long has the business been operating?

I deal with pet supplies, specialising mostly in cage bird supplies. I’ve been operating for about 12 months.

What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers? What was your previous work experience?

I spent about seven years in deep depression and anxiety. Before that I was an operations manager of a transport company and I did that for 30 years.

Who referred you to Many Rivers? When?

I found an ad on Facebook and I just enquired. It was around six months ago.

Why did you want to go into business?

I couldn’t go back to work in my normal field. I wanted to find something I enjoy, something I could do at home and build a business on that. Growing up on a farm, I’ve always had a love for animals. I’ve had birds since I was seven years old and I now have 300 birds.

What services did you receive from Many Rivers? How did it help?

Richard’s helped me to basically set up the business. He got my brain thinking by brainstorming on ways I can increase the profitability of the business and how I can promote it. Richard’s been very good. He’s been so encouraging, and I couldn’t have wished for a better person to help me.

What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?

I found it very encouraging. Very encouraging and it’s coming from someone who suffers from depression. Richard brightens up my day.

Did you get a loan from MR?

No.

Do you have any current employees?

I work by myself at the moment, but I have a few ideas for long-term which will allow me to employ other people. If I can hire people with the same sort of mental illness, that’ll make my day.

What has been the biggest challenge to date?

Trying to get started with mental illness is not easy. It’s a lot of hard work. I think it’s more difficult than if I didn’t have mental illness.

What has been the biggest success to date?

Getting to go to all the shows and auctions with the Budgerigar Council of Victoria. I go nearly every weekend to sell my products. The shows and auctions are all over Victoria so I do a bit of travelling with my wife.

What has been the biggest change for you/your family since you started your business?

I think running the business makes me a bit happy and my family is happy that I’m doing something. I spent five to six years just sitting in my garage during the day and my family is happy that I moved myself away from the garage to do something.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?

In the future, I would like to build this business up to a good standard.

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