AN entrepreneurial flair, a taste for the public spotlight and a willingness to jump off the proverbial cliff when an opportunity presents itself.
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That’s just some of the skills small business owners need to make a quid, say Borry Gartrell and Gaye Stuart-Nairne.
The couple’s own business, Borrodell on the Mount, has beaten 4500 of other nominees to be named a state finalist in the small business category of the Telstra Business Awards.
Mr Gartrell and Ms Stuart-Nairne have spent the last two decades building the business into something of an icon of the regional tourism scene.
It now features a restaurant, cellar door and function centre, accommodation cottages and sprawling orchards.
“Always take care of your people, including yourself and the land and be brave enough to back your own decision,” is Ms Stuart-Nairne’s favoured words of wisdom.
“But every person is different and has a different perspective on things.
“Personally, I think you’ve got to have a vision, know where you’re going and be clear thinking.”
But like most things in life, a lot comes down to luck and business is no exception, Ms Stuart-Nairne said.
“It’s always a balance,” she said.
“There’s always an element of being in the right place at the right time and while we’ve been very deliberate in the growth of the business, it was very good luck that Borry bought this block of land 43 years ago.”
The Telstra Business Awards winners will be announced this Friday.
If it takes out its category, Borrodell on the Mount will go on to compete with other state winners in the national awards.
“We’ll just see what happens,” Ms Stuart-Nairne said.
“It’s wonderful we’ve got this far.”
bevan.shields@ruralpress.com
