A GROUP of entrepreneurs from north coast suburbs are uniting ahead of Mother’s Day to highlight their creative community and locally made products.
Six women from Quinns Rocks to Yanchep, who each run a small business offering handmade products or bespoke services, have joined together for the pop-up Mother’s Day Market at Ocean Keys Shopping Centre on May 13.
Quinns Rocks resident Raquel Aranda, who owns styling and floristry business Merry Maker and Co, said the pop-up market would create an opportunity to collaborate with and support other creators in the area.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“Over the past year I’ve come across so many passionate and creative women locally who’ve started businesses from home offering beautiful products or personalized services,” she said.
“I wanted to bring us all together for an event.”
The group includes Buff & Polish, Pot it Like it’s Hot, Shabchique, Pilgrim Ink and Outside the Cake Box.
Ms Aranda said the women found time to run their businesses and were passionate about the products they create.
“Everything is locally produced and handmade with love,” she said.
“Haley (Donovan) from Shabchique pours her own candles and restores furniture.
“Jess (Thompson) from Pot it Like it’s Hot grows her own succulents and also makes the pots.
“Sharon (Baxter) from Buff & Polish creates her body products from scratch.
“Sarah (Malone) from Pilgrim Ink/Sarah Malone Designs designs and produces all her own stationary and art, and Hayley (Bresser) cooks and decorates her cakes herself.”
The businesses operate online without a bricks and mortar store and Ms Aranda said the Mother’s Day Market offered an excellent opportunity to meet prospective customers and help make connections in the community.
“Without a shop-front it can be difficult for home-based businesses to generate and grow a customer base,” she said.
“At the same time, many locals have no idea there are these boutique brands offering unique products and services right around the corner.
“We want to raise awareness of these local brands while also letting people know they don’t need to venture all the way to the City or Fremantle for handmade, bespoke items.”
While the pop-up market is the first time the businesswomen have produced an event together, Ms Aranda said she was confident there would be more.
“In my experience I’ve found our community to be very supportive; people are always happy to buy local and get behind their neighbours,” she said.
“Hopefully this is just the first of many local creative collaborations.”
The Mother’s Day Market will be at Ocean Keys Shopping Centre on May 13 from 9am-5pm, near Boost Juice.
Visit www.oceankeys.net.au or call 9407 2411 for more information.