Opening a business in a small Outback town can be risky, without having a pandemic knocking on your doorstep.
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Jen Daniels had a dream to open her own homewares and clothing store in North West Queensland, the shop was renovated and ready for the grand opening in Cloncurry on March 22, when COVID-19 struck.
Although she couldn't open her store, she turned to online marketing and launched The Boundary Gate online and it went "crazy".
"I had a great response from people all over the country," Ms Daniels said.
"For the six weeks of lockdown, we just did online orders from the shop and generated the interest in our products through social media.
"We also posted videos of our shop layout and the products we had on offer, which really helped the customers connect with our business.
"I also did private VIP one-on-one shopping experiences, keeping within the COVID-19 restrictions."
Since The Boundary Gate officially opened its doors in May, Ms Daniels said business had only got busier.
"It has been incredible, since we have opened we have been so busy that stock is flying off the shelves," she said.
"I have not been pushing online sales, because people have been coming in store to purchase items.
"Certain items have been so popular, every stock order I have been doing is growing all the time. I have even sold out some of my suppliers because the demand is so high."
Ms Daniels said there were a few items that were "crazy popular."
"The marble enamel cups which are great by the campfire and sold out in the first 24 hours," she said.
"We also have some beautiful 1000 piece puzzles and they are great to frame once complete, we have amazing acrylic glasses that look like they are crystal and there is a Cloncurry candle which many locals have been purchasing.
"As clients are coming in for these popular items they're seeing more items they like in store."
Ms Daniels said COVID-19 was a challenge but she just had to step up.
"It's one of those things where you just need to figure it out," she said.
"I was lucky I guess, my previous business was online so I was always going to have that online presence along with the physical store front in Cloncurry. Knowing full well that we don't get a lot of foot traffic.
"I wanted the website, as well as a retail store and to sell coffee so that customers could enjoy having a browse and create an experience for anyone who came into the shop."
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
