Fifteen Toowoomba small businesses grow in popularity

Covid, lockdowns, droughts and floods would never stop Toowoomba’s top 15 small businesses from reaching their dreams and gaining wide popularity. See who they are here:

The Darling Downs is made up of a small businesses who have started from humble beginnings, hoping to make the world a better place.

While worldwide pandemics and natural disasters have made it incredibly tricky for businesses to stay afloat, some have risen in popularity and made a name for themselves.

Here are 15 small businesses around the district who have continued to work their way up the ladder.

Charlie and Mia’s Barkery

Rita Faulks wanted to create local and healthy pet treats for her pugs Mai and Charlie and will open Charlie and Mia's Barkery’s official store in the coming weeks. Monday, May 23, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

With a goal to create preservative and additive-free dog treats and support local businesses, Rita Faulks established her business, named after her two loveable pugs Charlie and Mia, seven years ago.

Since then, Charlie and Mia’s Barkery has grown immensely popular across the district as regular vendors at the Toowoomba Farmers Markets and The Maker Markets.

Mrs Faulks has since announced the growing organisation will have a permanent shopfront on Ruthven Street, with doors to open in the coming weeks.

Mrs Faulks has said the business “wouldn’t be what it is without our fantastic loyal customers”.

Hammy’s Cupcakes

Hamish 'Hammy' Brown

Formed from a love of baking spanning generations, Hamish “Hammy” Brown has established a entrepreneurial reputation for his savvy and delicious business, Hammy’s Cupcakes.

Offering a range of cakes, cupcakes and cookies, Hammy began the business in 2019 at the age of eight, with the idea of simply selling his creations to local families.

Now a popular Toowoomba Farmers Markets vendor, Hammy has received national recognition for his skills, and continues to warm the hearts of those he meets and who taste his delicious goods.

Jim’s Jerky

Emily Pullen (left) and Cathie Tanner from Jim’s Jerky Picture: Kevin Farmer

As far as humble beginnings go, you can’t get more humble than the tale of Jim’s Jerky.

Starting as cattle graziers and operating a small butcher shop in Charlton, Jim and Cathie Tanner had a dream of growing a jerky business domestically, and from there 17 years ago, Jim’s Jerky was born.

Now, the couple, with their daughter Emily Pullen as CEO and a team of local staff, distributes across the nation and operates from a small space in Charlton.

The award-winning small business has grown immensely over the past almost two decades – with plans to spread their wings internationally.

Miley & Me

Michelle Mann and her pup Miley are the owners of Miley & Me – a pet supplies small business in Toowoomba.

A pet is an extra addition to the family, and deserve the best on offer – that’s where Michelle Mann comes in.

Inspired to find the best quality and affordable products for Darling Downs Pets, Michelle created Miley & Me, which is a frequent vendor at the Toowoomba Farmer Markets.

Ms Mann said she was determined to support local and Australian suppliers, and after seeing her pup’s Miley’s toys fail to last long, she set out to find exciting products that would keep her energetic pup entertained and comfortable. Now, she provides these products for other pet owners across the district.

The Vintage Pear

The Vintage Pear antique store owners Nicole O'Malley-Jones (left) and Helen Anderson. Picture: Nev Madsen.

It all started with a couple of vintage tea cups, but in a matter of months it had grown into a successful business selling a variety of antiques and collectables.

Friends Nicole O’Malley-Jones and Helen Anderson opened their store, the Vintage Pear, in July 2021, located on Ruthven St.

Selling everything from clothing and china, to art and furniture, the best part of the sweet store is the heartwarming essence of nostalgia it delivers its customers.

Boutiqo

Boutiqo owner Jess Hayes launched the pearl jewellery business last year. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After years of struggling to find affordable and high quality jewellery, Jess Hayes decided to start making her own pearl pieces and opened Boutiqo mid-2021.

A former real estate agent, Ms Hayes decided to put her creative flair into action and go out on her own two feet when she became a mum.

The limited edition collections sell a variety of items including pearl bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Kat’s Creations

Katherine Preston makes yummy cupcakes for sale at the Cabarlah markets. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Age is just a number and no barrier for Katherine Preston, who started her own baking business at the young age of 12 last year.

From cupcakes and brownies, to cakes and cookies, the young MasterChef sells her baked goods at the local markets and also accepts custom orders.

Taking after her mum and grandmother who both love to cook, the young business owner’s passion really ignited after she entered a baking competition in Wales and won, when she was just four years old.

Sprouts Reading Clinic

Amy Deane with her son Luke. Sprouts Reading Clinic is Amy's new business offering Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) education for reading and writing. Picture: Nev Madsen.

After her own child was diagnosed with Dyslexia, former school teacher Amy Deane, began researching ways to help her son Luke, tailor-made to his style of learning.

Witnessing first-hand the benefits of the Multisensory Structured Language curriculum, Ms Deane has now opened her own private practice Sprouts Reading Clinic, to help families in the same boat.

Using a holistic approach, the owner of the new reading clinic said she hopes to incorporate mental health strategies to assist with anxiety and low self-esteem too.

Settlement Day By Boxed

Amie Storey of Settlement Day by Boxed with her gift boxes. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Nothing brings Amie Storey more joy than spoiling others with presents on special occasions.

When the 20-year-old began brainstorming new business concepts with her boyfriend, who works as a real estate agent, the couple found a way for Ms Storey to combine work and pleasure.

Launching her business Settlement Day By Boxed earlier this year, Ms Storey packages gift hampers for real estate agents to gift clients when purchasing a home.

Filled with cocktails, lollies, chocolate, garnishes and condiments, among other sweet gifts, the most popular box is The Taste of Toowoomba, which features locally-made items.

Sow and Nurtured

Tiffany Gesler and her son Tanner Morris 9yo. Tiffany is an indigenous woman with a new business educating young children about Aboriginal history and connecting them with nature and the land. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Proud of her indigenous heritage, Tiffany Gesler offers a unique and holistic education model which focuses on outdoor play.

Working with children since she was 17, the qualified midwife and early education specialist started Sow and Nurtured – a venture to support families with natural resources and outdoor learning.

The proud Gunggari woman offers a variety of workshops with an holistic learning approach to assist families and children who may be experiencing anxiety or behavioural issues.

Tony’s Community Kitchen

Tony's Community Kitchen founder Tony Hurle. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Seeing a need to help Toowoomba’s vulnerable, Tony Hurle and a group of volunteers operate Tony’s Community Kitchen 365 days a year.

With hot meals, showers, toilets and laundry facilities on site, those who need an extra hand are able to access the community’s generosity.

The kitchen was set up after a group of community members approached Tony Hurle – who had been service free barbecues behind the Settlers Inn – to host an Easter Sunday lunch for the region’s homeless in 2020.

From there, the volunteer-run organisation grew.

Emerge

Jen Shaw, CEO of Emerge Cafe. Picture: Nev Madsen.

In 2016, Jen Shaw founded Emerge, a cafe in Toowoomba’s CBD, with the goal of carrying on her grandmother’s legacy of believing in the potential for anyone to turn their life around, no matter the situation.

The venue provides life skills, mentorship, opportunities for workplace training, and a safe spot for disengaged and at-risk youth to rise above.

Ms Shaw has used profits made from the cafe and any other donations received to assist kids having a tough time, and earlier this year moved from their Railway St site to Union St.

The PAL App

Mum-of-two Bess O'Connor is launching a new app for primary accessible learning, after she was inspired by her son Eddison O'Connor.

When Bess and Andrew O’Connor welcomed their son Eddison into the world, it was a frightening time for the parents when he was born prematurely.

The fight only continued when he was diagnosed with Motor Dysgraphia, a rare condition that impacts the child’s fine motor and writing skills.

Determined to assist her child and others, Ms O’Connor began researching and working with developers to invent a multipurpose app.

The primary accessible learning (PAL) app is subscription-based and will help teachers to monitor, mark and check schoolwork remotely, while parents will be able to access progress reports for specialists.

The Smart Gardener

James Feez the Smart Gardener. Picture: Nev Madsen.

James Feez has always loved to garden and looks back fondly on the moments spent working on his grandparents’ farm in the Burnett region.

While he was a uni student, the green thumb started an online blog, offering tips to gardeners and going under the pseudonym of The Smart Gardener, but as his following grew, loved ones began to guess his identity.

After years of experience, the horticulturist started his own business last October, offering landscaping and traditional gardening maintenance or advice to customers.

The Soapy and Lippy Monkeys

Tyler Craze has his own business called The Soapy Monkey. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Tyler Craze began his business The Soapy Monkey after receiving a Make Your Own Soap kit from his grandmother.

At just 11 years old, Tyler makes and sells his own unique soaps, including specifically designed soap pieces ideal for one-day use.

Tyler has dreams of going to NASA and has been saving the money made from his business.

After seeing the success of her brother, Mia Craze, 8, decided to create her own business, however instead of soaps, Mia has created her own lipbalm.

All orchestrated through the Soapy Monkey website, Mia’s Lippy business has taken off, like her brother’s, and she has already begun to make a name for herself.

ENTREPRENEUR: Mia Craze has followed in her brother Tyler's footsteps with the establishment of her own business called The Lippy Monkey, specialising in homemade lip balm.