Renee, Beach Bum Tie Dyes, Grafton NSW

Meet Renee, the Many Rivers supported small business owner of Beach Bum Tie Dyes, in South Grafton NSW.

Beach Bum Tie Dyes sells handmade tie-dye clothing and hairstyling, including dreadlocks, beads or braids with coloured hair extensions. Renee ran her business for 7 years at the local markets until she met her Many Rivers business coach, Ofelia and decided to take Beach Bums Tie Dye to the next level. In 2020, Renee set up her very first shop with Ofelia’s support. After experiencing some setbacks with family challenges throughout 2021 and closing her first store to move to Brisbane, Renee has now moved back to South Grafton and has opened a new shop front! She is excited to be back doing what she loves and appreciates Ofelia’s business support. She shared that her biggest success is not having to worry about bills and living day-to-day.

“Ofelia reminds me to not let my anxiety hold me back or think I am going to fail. She always said to me, ‘but what if it goes right’? I think that just helped me get up and do it. When I see her now, I will give her updates on my journey she still gives me the confidence to keep going.”

Read more about Beach Bum Tie Dyes.

Meet Renee

My business name is Beach Bum Tie Dyes and I have been doing markets for about 7 years now. I met my business coach, Ofelia, a few years ago and moved from markets to set up a small store with her support. However, I had some family challenges, and I had to move to Brisbane to prioritise my family for a few years. I only recently moved back to South Grafton where I met some other small business owners who had the front of their shop up for rent, and I took it up! I was back to only doing markets every Sunday, and it was hit-and-miss depending on the weather and how many people were out and about each weekend. So, I have been operating this new little storefront for three months now, and everything has been going really well! The rent is a lot cheaper than my last store, and it is a beautiful little spot.

I do tie-dye clothing that I tie-dye myself and I often do hairstyling as well. I make my own dreads, put beads in for people or just do braids with coloured hair extensions. I don’t cut hair or anything, I just style it. It helps bring people around so that people realise that the shop is there. South Grafton is quiet, so you need something to make people realise you are there, and the hair styling is doing just that.

I was trying to support our family and just get back out into the workforce to feel like I was out talking and meeting with people. When I had to step away to focus on my family, I was just thinking and dreaming of all the things I could do. I was just waiting for the right time, and the best thing I have ever done was to get back into business. I don’t do markets anymore because I can run my business from the shop. The shop is in a perfect location, very close to our home, which makes it very convenient for my family life.

Working with Many Rivers

I saw ads on Facebook for Many Rivers, and I knew of a few people who had received support from Many Rivers.

I received a loan when I first met my business coach, Ofelia, which I have now nearly paid off. It was to increase my stock and buy products such as hoodies to really drive up the sales. I haven’t needed another loan since. I don’t know what the future looks like for me and my family, but I am just trying to do what I can while I can and enjoy it.

Ofelia reminded me to not let my anxiety hold me back or think I am going to fail. Sometimes you think this might not work because you haven’t done it before and that things will go wrong. She always said to me, ‘but what if it goes right’? I think that just helped me get up and do it. All her help in opening my first store really filled me with confidence this time around. When I see her now, I will give her updates on my journey. She still gives me the confidence to keep going.

Biggest Challenge

Just taking a good look around and not feel discouraged when you have a slow week. Even on good days, it’s important to take each day as it comes. I might have a great week and be feeling great, but then that is followed by two slower weeks. Just take the good and the bad but knowing that it is better than doing nothing. Knowing that I am doing the best for my kids. If it’s a bad day I can go home and know that I did my best today.

Biggest Success

The biggest success would be finally not having to worry too much about bills and feeling like I am just living day-to-day. I don’t have those worries anymore. I feel like I can pay rent for my shop, rent for my house and school and day-care fees in advance. Whereas things weren’t like that before I opened the shop. It’s all about taking the good and the bad, meeting some nice people and running a genuine business that keeps people coming back. It’s really given me confidence. I used to always feel scared about failing, but now it doesn’t worry me as much because I know the next time I open my shop, there is a big chance I won’t fail. I am still a single mum, and I am just working hard and feeling accomplished.

Biggest Change

Instead of living day-to-day, I have a diary, and I can plan out week by week and sometimes even month to month. That is a massive change because it used to really feel like I was living hour to hour.  We can go on holidays and camping trips and we’re able to do these things as a family. Making goals and being able to reach those goals is huge.

Future Goals for Beach Bum Tie Dyes

Eventually, I will get a bigger shop, but I am happy with what I have now. I am adding new things to the shop, such as hair products and soaps. There are just a few things that I would like to do to extend my business. Having a staff member come on and help sometimes so that I can spend more time at home with my family would also be helpful.

Thanks Renee

Thanks Renee for sharing your business journey. Your story will inspire people who are looking to take their next step towards creating their own business. If you would like to stay updated with Beach Bum Tie Dyes and Renee’s journey as a small business owner, follow Beach Bum Tie Dyes on Facebook.

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