Shepparton couple Paul and Jannah Tucker have grown their handcrafted wooden furniture and decor business from a second job about four-and-a-half years ago to a full-time job and have now employed their first apprentice.
The business, Jemmervale Designs, has been named one of Australia Post’s 2022 Local Business Heroes.
Jemmervale Designs was one of only 57 Local Business Heroes chosen from nearly 1000 entries, with each recipient now set to receive a ‘Heroes Package’ worth up to $5000.
Australia Post’s Heroes will each feature in a marketing campaign in their local post office for a month, receive personalised sending offers and gain access to business coaching through Small Business Australia.
Mrs Tucker said the couple was excited to be recognised as part of the awards and thankful to the Australia Post business centre for helping them get off the ground.
Research conducted by Deloitte Access Economics last year showed that two out of three businesses visited the post office at least once a week with 82 per cent of businesses stating that post office services positively impacted their business.
When Jemmervale Designs first started four-and-a-half years ago, Mrs Tucker was pregnant with their third child.
The day she took their first sale parcel to the post office to send to the buyer was also the day she went into labour.
Two-and-a-half years ago, Jemmervale Designs became a full-time business for the couple.
With the business all online at the moment, through its own website as well as The Block Shop and Buy from the Bush, being able to mail items was essential to the business.
Mrs Tucker estimated they would post between 20 and 30 orders a week on average, with some of those orders containing several pieces.
Because the business was online, most orders were for smaller furniture items, including side tables, shelves, bath caddies, chopping boards, plant stands and leather hooks and straps.
While their main market is within Australia, Jemmervale Designs pieces have also been sent to the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and European countries.
Australia Post retail executive general manager Catriona Noble said the organisation was delighted to support the Local Business Heroes, with the help of local post offices.
“Many of the small business heroes were nominated thanks to an established and strong relationship with their local post office team, so it’s wonderful to see these connections strengthened even further,” she said.
Australia Post customer and commercial executive general manager Gary Starr said the program, now in its second year, played an important role in supporting local businesses to grow.
“We know small and medium businesses are the backbone of Australian communities and we’re committed to helping them succeed,” Mr Starr said.
To see more of what Jemmervale Designs offers, visit www.jemmervaledesigns.com.au