Beating Around The Bush

Andrew Bate from Swarm Farm speaks to RBC's Fleur Anderson on the development of his robotic farming technology business, Swarm Farm. http://www.swarmfarm.com/

Based out of Central Queensland, Andrew and his wife Jocie founded the business as a side gig to their grain and beef grazing business, but it's developed into an incredible business, employing a dozen people locally.

Girls from the bush can do anything! Northern Territory sisters Belinda Rasheed and Sophie Rayner have taken the online style industry by storm, launching their fashion, homewares and style business Longrass Style.

Because of their location (tucked into such a remote area of north western Northern Territory that the only access is through Western Australia), the sisters must travel often for both work and personal reasons. It's through these travels Belinda discovered some great pieces- clothing and homewares that made her feel great and wanted to share with her friends and other women.

While it was an idea that had been percolating between them for some time, it was kicked into action when Helen Groves from the Territory Drafter Magazine (remember her from this podcast interview?) asked them to do a lifestyle piece for her first edition.

"We built it (the business) on the run," says Belinda.

"But it's been so much fun and it's worked for us."

Belinda and Sophie say that Australian designed and made is at the heart of their business and they source as much product locally as they can.

"There's always going to be inflated shipping costs to us (for stock) because of our location, so we take a hit on that one, but being Australian made is really important to us."

The business has developed quickly and they've had a lot of success doing 'pop up' shops through the Territory and Queensland.

They will also be launching their own clothing line in Tamworth at the Landmark Classic in Febuary.

Check out their Facebook page here. https://www.facebook.com/longrassstyle/

Sarah Ryan came up with the idea of a candle making business while fossicking around in old sheds on the family Merino stud in rural New South Wales.

She loved the #oldtimey look of a yeast tin, and contacted a designer friend who came up with a label that matched the integrity of what she wanted.

Next on the list was learning to make candles, which she did, originally only for gifts for family and friends. But they wanted more, and eventually Sarah registered The Quandialla Candle Company and built up to stocking 40 shops around the country.

Sarah is still a one-woman operation, doing everything from making the candles, labelling, and sending them off. Occasionally she admits it's too much and gets a casual helper in.

She credits the advice from her cousin Rachel from Red Tractor Designs on the success of her business development.

Sarah also teaches and volunteers at the local school on the odd occasion and helps out on the family farm (though she admits she's a bit of a 'princess') and runs after her three children.

Have you ever wondered what happens in a Startup Weekend? Join RBC's Fleur Anderson as she tackles one in Outback Queensland, facilitated by Daniel Johnsen, Longreach's Entrepreneur in residence. She'll take you behind the scenes- to the drama of choosing and work shopping an idea, on the street researching the customers, and picking the brains of the experts available.

Steve Baxter is Queensland's Chief Entrepreneur for the next 12 months.

 He's certainly at the top of his game, having built and sold many six figure businesses (read more here) and mentored many others.

He's been involved in Channel 10's Shark Tank Australia for the last three seasons.

After a bruising exchange with a politician who challenged him on exactly how much he knew about business (a lot actually- he's quite good at it), he engaged a PR firm to raise his profile and try and help hone his public speaking skills.

And in the next 12 months, he wants to shine a spotlight on the strength of rural and regional Queensland.

Angus Barrett says vision, creativity and planning are crucial factors in the success of his saddlery business.

Angus Barrett Saddlery in Orange, New South Wales was born out of Angus' desire to do what he loved (working with leather), while still having the ability to rodeo and travel.

Years of hard work  ensured a thriving business, with a strong reputation for quality, beautiful pieces.

Angus credits his wife Sarah for bringing in a level of professionalism the business didn't have in the earlier years, but says there's a lot of give and take for both of them.

"She keeps me in check, and I push her out a bit too."

https://angusbarrett.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/angusbarrettsaddlery/

Beating Around the Bush is focusing on the Charters Towers region of North Queensland.

Rural Business Collective champions the small businesses and entrepreneurs of rural Australia, so we thought it would be fun to take 'economic pulse' of some of its regions, starting in the North.

Jayne Cuddihy spoke to Phil Hill-Warner, a former president of the local Chamber of Commerce and Mines who owns Rural Mechanical Repairs, Ben North from the Hollimans Group - an employer of 60 people through six local business arms, and entrepreneur Bernie Kruger, who takes change in his stride. He owns Bits for Cars, but is trialling new technology for the agricultural sector with mind to diversifying.  

All three agree that it's a strong economic region, but the strength has switched from the mining sector, to the agricultural.

Phil Hill-Warner says while the community is resilient, not enough is done to educate people on the economic issues and how attitude and buying choices effect everyone.

He said a lot of positive outcomes came out of an incubator program run by marketing guru Mellissah Smith a few years ago.

https://www.marketingeye.com.au/marketing-blog/entrepreneurship/why-a-melbourne-company-is-setting-up-an-incubator-in-rural-queensland.html

Including Koorca, a crime prevention app designed and built by two cattlemen.

Helen Groves, editor of Territory Drafter Magazine joins RBC's Jayne Cuddihy on Beating Around the Bush.

For over 13 years, Helen has worked across northern Australia as an agronomist, but decided to launch her own lifestyle and campdrafting magazine when she realised she had a huge stockpile of good quality photos and content.

Focussed on the Northern Territory and the Kimberly, the magazine is published every six months. For Helen, the most surprising thing was discovering the differences in the social media demographic, namely Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Here's her Facebook site- https://www.facebook.com/territorydraftermag/

But she's got a tonne of followers on her private photography page https://www.facebook.com/HelenGrovesPhotography/

Helen considers herself an introvert, but has found the interactive aspects of social media and the magazine very rewarding- though overwhelming at times.

She works with professionals all over the country, including graphic design, printers and contributors and says she prefers the remote/virtual office situation.

James Walker is a problem solver. His family own and operate Camden Park Station outside Longreach in Western Queensland.  https://www.camdenparkstation.com.au/

To counteract depleted income in times of drought, they've built a thriving tourism arm to their business, as well as joined forces with a corporate company in a solar farm.

For James, the key to success is sticking with a core focus. And running the businesses with the seasons.

They've been able to diversify by getting all their ducks in a row and working out which business plan and systems are going to work best, before they get too invested.

James was also a big part of the Agrihive project https://www.facebook.com/agrihive/

https://www.agrihive.com/#/home which launched the farmecco product in May.

https://futurebeef.com.au/launching-farmecco/

What makes a family business successful? Dedication, communication, designated roles? Rebekah McCaul is a fourth generation dairy farmer and cheesemaker from South Australia.

http://www.alexandrinacheese.com.au/mccaul_family.html

She said it's a perfect fit for her, though clear communication and dedicated roles are vital. 

They've won national awards for some of their cheeses,  and have some terrific ideas when it comes to utilising social media for the benefit of their business. 

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/alexandrina-continues-mccaul-familys-112year-cheesemaking-success/news-story/a668ea00d8125979e07490bc2fd438a7