30 Dec Beth’s Garden Delights

Question 1: What does your business produce or supply?

Beth’s Garden Delights supplies gourmet jams, jellies, marmalades, relishes and sauces to restaurants, the tourist bureau, the local markets and various business outlets.

Question 2: What motivated you to start your business

At first the desire to use excess, and to a large extent wasted, fruit from our garden and our neighbours gardens. A local Winery started to sell these and then I realised I needed to be covered by insurance and to register for tax (ABN) as well as get a development application approved by our local Council which then escalated to installing an industrial kitchen.

Question 3: When you think about your business what keeps you awake at night?

How to meet the ever increasing demand for my products, thinking up new varieties of products for interest and also to utilise seasonal ingredients (fruit, vegetables etc).

Question 4: What has your business taught you personally?

That I can achieve anything I put my mind to despite my being told as a child that I wouldn’t amount to much and should just get married and have children. It has also taught me an understanding of basic mathematics that I never knew I had and that I am the best salesperson for my product. I have also found I am often in a mentoring role for other people entering business urging them not to underestimate their abilities.

Question 5: What’s a recent business success that you have had, that has motivated you to keep going?

Sharwood Hampers. This business recently ordered 2000 jars (1000 of relish and 1000 of dessert sauce) for Xmas for its Canberra Region Advent Calendar and due to Covid I had restricted resources to deliver. Their need was great and I have learned not to underestimate my ability to achieve difficult targets.

Question 6: How do you feel about the future of your business in the next three years?

Very positive. It has been doubling each year and in fact trebled last year. I have been contacted from people as far away as Japan, USA, England and China as well as all over Australia. I have even been posting products to some customers and, although the cost would seem prohibitive, they are happy to purchase.

Question 7: How does your relationship with SRBEC help you and your business?

I have only recently signed up as an SRBEC client with Jacquie Tewes. To date, I have been very impressed with the efforts that SRBEC have gone to, to assist me in marketing my business and highlighting areas that I need to work on (ie: website).  SRBEC have been very supportive to date by helping me growing my social media exposure and promoting my business to other business owners, thru their email lists and newsletters.

I am very motivated and excited to continue this journey with SRBEC and Jacquie in the new year.

Beth’s contact details are as follows:

Website: https://www.bethsgardendelights.com.au/

Mobile: 0411 616 640

PS: If you would like your business to be showcased like Beth’s, please contact your BEC business advisor to discuss.

Andrew Campbell