Directors' Circle - Sharon Easdale, Embroidery Collective
Embroidery Collective is one of those businesses who started from something so simple – and have grown to have a massive product range, plus a slew of high-profile clientele – while retaining the passion and values that got them into business in the first place. Based in Moranbah, Sharon and her team are some of the most customer-focused people I’ve ever come across. I really cannot stress enough how personally they take each and every job, it’s wonderful to see and makes them an absolute joy to work worth. So we decided, why not put Sharon in our Directors’ Circle hot seat??
Why did you decide to start your own business? I used to do embroidery on my days off from my previous job. When I started doing towels with embroidery on them for some friends, well the word got around, and I was sewing non-stop on my days off to keep up with demand. I then purchased some other items that I thought would sell and was able to embroider on as well. Eventually I got too big to do my work from home, so I moved into our now premises at Bacon Street. I asked the customers what they would like me to stock and have available for them.
What was the biggest surprise for you about starting a new business? Accounting and tax, trying to get my head around all of that – plus council rules etc.
How do you stay motivated when challenges arise? Even though challenges arise from time to time, I take the outlook that we can learn from mistakes and work with what we have. I strive to be the best at what we can do. Don’t expect miracles and always try to make each and every customer happy and feel important. This always lifts me up to see the end results on customers faces and their words of thanks.
What is the best advice you have received recently? About 18 months ago, I started using the services of Paul Rickard, a business advisor in Mackay. Paul keeps me focussed and has many good sayings, but the one that stands out is; “Busy must become the norm, and to cope with higher sales volume – all the business processes must be systematic and efficient. Otherwise, chaos takes over and you lose control!”
What are your non-work habits that help with your life-work balance? I don’t think I have mastered this one as yet. But I do try to eat healthy, get a dose of vitamin D from the sun on weekends and I like to do good deeds to help others, because I believe in Karma.
Who is your hero and why? Dick Smith because he started off small and worked hard to become a big as he did, and he supported Australian made products.
Give a shout out to three local businesses!
EZY Signs & Solutions - They really look after locals and go the extra mile in service, always friendly and professional
Coalfields Coffee Fix - Lisa Hawkins runs a small mobile coffee van in Moranbah. She works very early hours of the morning on the side of the road to supply hot coffees for the workers on their way to work each day. I couldn’t get up in the middle of winter with the freezing weather blowing through me to do that!
Fitzy’s Transport at Moranbah (0407 037 479) - Now he is just an all-round good bloke. Just this weekend gone, he got on board with All State Civil and asked RAM Industries to help as well. He donated items and time for the Campdraft at Nebo. So, between them, they had Fitzy’s Transport delivering to the Campdraft 2000L of fuel donated by All State Civil and generators donated by RAM Industries. Then on Sunday, Fitzy’s went back and collected the generators and took them back to RAM Industries at Moranbah. Also, we have a young lad in Moranbah that has autism. Fitzy’s told his parents to come into my shop and get some shirts for him with Fitzy’s logo on them, and then gave the boy the encouragement to be able to get up in the truck with Fitzy and go for a drive. He was too scared to before this.
Visit Embroidery Collective website or check them out on Facebook today.