DURING almost three decades in business, Redgum Country owner Wendy Richardson has seen countless local clothing retailers come and go.
While online shopping, fashion chain stores and the realities of managing a business have forced a number of independent retailers to close their doors, Redgum Country has endured.
“In my 28 years in business, I have seen about 45 clothing shops close down in this town,” Ms Richardson told The Border Watch.
“We see it happen all the time – anyone can survive the first three years, but so many people open these businesses as a hobby and do not have the passion to go beyond that.
“Everyone thinks its easy and plenty of people have a great idea, but they don’t realise the hard work involved.”
She said the secret to her continued success was her involvement in the community and her understanding of “the financial side” of business.
“There is no use going out there and opening a business if no one knows what you’re doing,” Ms Richardson said.
“It is so important to have a presence in the community and to build a reputation for having amazing customer service.
“Without great customer service, you will not get any business, but without the financial knowledge, you will not be able to maintain the business.
“The most important thing is to go out and pay your bills, manage your stock appropriately and be on top of everything financially.”
Ms Richardson was recently inducted into the Women in Business and Regional Development (WiBRD) Hall of Fame for her contribution and influence towards the organisation.
A long-term member and valued sponsor of WiBRD, she was the inaugural winner of the 2010 Influential Business Woman of the Year award.
“I have mentored a lot of women who were looking to start businesses and guided a lot of new business owners over the years – that has been my contribution,” she said.
“I have been involved since the beginning – I have never been on the board, but I have always been a sponsor and always attended events.
“The networking is absolutely amazing and all the women have become friends.
“I always encourage people to sit beside someone they don’t know at events to learn about each other’s businesses – everyone has something to learn from people who have been in business for a long time.”
Ms Richardson said while the network had evolved over the years, its vision to empower and connect women remained the same.
“WiBRD gives women the confidence to go out there and meet people,” she said.
“The women involved in WiBRD support up and coming businesses and lift each other up.
“Any business is a lot of hard work and it is important to turn the hard work into fun – don’t treat it as a chore.
“It is all about going to work and enjoying yourself every day.”
