Hammock Heaven

www.hammockheaven.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Hammock Heaven is a retail outlet for traditional hand woven hammocks from Mexico and Ecuador. We stock and sell only genuine articles produced traditionally by artisans from The Yucatan in Mexico and Otavalo in Ecuador. We are the largest purpose designed hammock outlet in Australia. You can come into our showroom and lay down in over 25 styles ans sizes of hammocks to try before you buy. We also have a dynamic website catering to everyone who isn't able to make it to our shop and we are very happy to answer any questions and provide advice on what hammock may be best for your needs.

2. When and why did you start your business?

This business was started just on a year ago to fill a gap we percieved in the market. Most hammocks in Australia are sold either online or in stores were they can't be tried first. We feel that if you were planning to buy a bed or sofa you would want to try a few first.... so why not with a hammock!

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with your business?

The business, like most I am sure, has at times been difficult and challenging. What it has given me though is a great sense of satisfaction and self esteem. As an immigrant to Australia I had found it hard to gain a job that I liked, despite good qualifications in many areas. I have now established and built a growing business from scratch and proved that I can succeed when I put all my efforts into a venture that I believe in. I really love my business and everyday i come to work is a good day.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Starting from scratch, as Hammock Heaven has, the biggest challenge has been to let the local community know we are here. Advertising helps but you have to work everyday in some way at promoting your business to keep growing.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

Local print media has been great for craeting awareness of the presence of our retail showroom. We are also members of the local chamber of commerce and endeavour to become involved in the local community as much as possible. To promote our online side we find Google adwords good and also work a lot with social media and online networking.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

We have tried a few of the highly promoted "NON-free" directories that promise a lot and have generally been disappointed in the results. We have also run some print adverting in the SMH and this hasn't really worked for our business.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Lying in a hammock after lunch and taking a break. It's always funny when a client comes in while I am in a hammock, generally we have a laugh and I make a joke about needing to test them all!!

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

We have friends with their own businesses who have given us some great advice and seeing their hard work pay off has dome a lot for my motivation. We have also met some great local business people through the local chamber of commerce and networking events.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

Keep growing... keep looking for new products... keep talking to people who inspire me.... and maybe open our second shop in the next 12 months.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Never give up if you really believe in your idea, but do couple this with seeking and listening to advice from people whose experience and success you respect.

Visit us at: www.hammockheaven.com.au