Meet Sherree Raffin, the small business owner of “Warrior Water” a water purification business based in Wondai, QLD.
Sherree launched her business, Warrior Water, in late 2018, offering 15-litre purified water bottles. Her water undergoes a rigorous nine-step purification process to ensure the highest quality and best taste. Alongside the bottles, she also sells stylish water cradles and ceramic bases designed to fit them.
She mainly serves Murgon, Cherbourg, and the South Burnett region, with potential customers in Gympie and beyond.
“My business coach from Many Rivers, Kristy provided valuable local connections and networking opportunities. She also helped with leasing arrangements for larger corporate clients and even assisted with legal documents. She also helped me analyse costs, expenses, and cash flow.” – Sherree Raffin
Read more about Sherree’s business journey so far:
Sherree Business
I initially started with a small vending machine for bottle refills, but as demand grew over the years, I decided to expand. In 2022, I invested in and installed a full water purification plant at my office space, allowing me to serve more customers with high-quality purified water. I offer convenient weekly deliveries straight to homes and businesses, with easy online ordering options in the Murgon, Cherbourg, and the South Burnett region currently, with potential customers in Gympie and beyond.
I also run an electrical contracting business, and my old water vending machine is in the shared office space. The purification plant itself is right next door in an industrial shed. Customers can pick up new bottles, drop off empty ones, or have their water delivered.
What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers? Why did you want to go into business?
I was running our electrical contracting business.
Working with Many Rivers
I met Kristy Board at a networking event in Murgon. We got talking, and that’s how I connected with Many Rivers.
Why did you want to go into business?
Our vending machine was doing really well, and we saw an opportunity to expand into something more efficient that could provide larger quantities of purified water.
What services did you receive from Many Rivers? How did it help?
I already had a strong business background, so I didn’t need help with the basics. But Kristy provided valuable local connections and networking opportunities. She also helped with leasing arrangements for larger corporate clients and even assisted with legal documents, saving me thousands of dollars in lawyer fees. She also helped me analyse costs, expenses, and cash flow.
What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?
Having Kristy as a sounding board has been invaluable. She’s always there to bounce ideas off.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
No
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
Yes. In October last year, we officially hired our first employee. We also share our admin person from the electrical business. Our new employee works part-time, three days a week, delivering bottles. His role is a mix of plant operations and deliveries.
Biggest Challenge
Getting corporate clients has been tough. It can feel like a false sense of hope at times. We’re doing a lot of advertising and currently bring in about six new clients per month.
Biggest Success
Getting council approval for our plant was a huge milestone. Also, hiring our first official employee was a big win, he’s been fantastic.
Biggest Change
It has given me more flexibility to balance work and family, which is really important to me.
Future Goals
In the short term, I want to quadruple our sales and have two full-time delivery drivers covering the area from Nanango to Gympie.
Thank you Sherree for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Sherree’s small business, follow “Warrior Water” through the following links:
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