Meet Janice Hanney, Business Owner at Brew Crates and WA Gifts and Hampers. Having been a member of the Wanneroo Business Association (WBA) since August 2019, read on to get to know her and find out more about her business and experience with the WBA so far.
Brew Crates started 2 years ago, after seeing the fast growth and popularity of the Craft Beer industry here in WA. I witnessed the excitement of guys, with our own sons included… and not to forget the beer loving girls, racing around Perth to liquor outlets after work, to try the latest craft beer release before it sold out. I thought with the popularity of local Craft Beer, it would make an ideal gift and be the answer to something to buy for those often so hard to buy for… GUYS!
I am a very proud West Australian, and with so many amazing local businesses making and creating right here, I thought this was a great opportunity to showcase their products, gift them in a handy to keep Timber crate, team the Beer up with local favourites of Beef Jerky, Nuts, Rocky Road, Chocolate Pretzels and more, and offer gifts that are sure to be enjoyed!
My business is now expanding to be WA Gifts and Hampers, which will also promote Brew Crates. Brew Crates will still have it’s own social pages, as I think I have quite a niche gift business with Brew Crates, however I also want to offer a wider range of gifts, still to include all WA items, including Wine, Whisky & Gin, Gourmet items, Pamper products and locally made gifts.
Supportive, Informative, Friendly
Attending events, whether they are networking or training and meeting lots of people!
I attended the Wanneroo Business Expo at The Pavillion, Mindarie Marina and I loved it!
I would say the biggest business challenge is making my footprint in the gift giving market. Growing my following on social media, continuing to update and improve the quality of my website and being found in Google searches is something I am going to build. Being an online business, people don’t walk past a shop and see me, so I need to promote my gifts and hampers with effective, consistent content to be found in the very competitive online world.
I would like to have more and more people recognise Brew Crates as a great gift idea, good value and a gift suitable for Personal & Corporate gift giving, providing gifts you will be proud to give.
My first Corporate client just a few months into my business was a Financial Planning firm, who have ordered gifts each month since, for client birthday’s, welcome and thankyou gifts. Exactly 2 years ago today (10th Sept 2018) was my first invoice to them for 5 Brew Crates! A few months on, they entrusted me with their client Christmas hampers. This was so exciting. By request, I expanded to include WA Wine & Bubbly, with gourmet items, gifts and pamper products, all made in WA. Last Christmas their order was for their staff gifts as well as clients.
Hearing back how happy they were with the gifts, receiving positive feedback from their clients, and still today continuing to order each month, has certainly made them my longest standing consistent customer.
I was keen to join a networking group, and the WBA is local to where I live & operate my home-based business. I attend the educational and networking events as a way to grow my business and my confidence, through meeting & talking with other small business owners. I joined the WBA to gain new business in my local area and a better understanding of small business protocols and expectations.
I really like the people I have met through the WBA, especially Lauren and Kellie in the WBA office, I appreciate that the support is always there, if I have any queries. I enjoy attending the networking events and pushing myself outside my comfort zone, to strike up conversations. Even as a really small business in comparison to many others in the association, which I must admit, does affect my confidence, I find the members very welcoming and willing to listen to my story, supportive in offering advice where they can, for which I am always grateful.
I learn from every event I attend. I leave always thinking of new things I could implement to help grow my business or grow me as a business owner.
Cosmic Cocktails, Cherry’s Catering, The Mindarie Marina, The Northern Guide, West Coast Blinds & Interiors, Blow your own Mind, Business Growth, Bello’s cafe, Pen & Paper Girl and SB Creations
I have delivered gifts and hampers to Print integrity, Quest Apartments, Alkimos Plumbing & Gas, Tenco Engineers, The Marina Mindarie and even the WBA office.
It’s hard to choose between the Sunrisers, Coffee Catch ups & Workshops, but I would probably have to say the Sunrisers. It’s a good start to the day and easier to fit in before other daily commitments. The ones I have attended have been well structured, especially the Business Pitching, where you hear about everyone in the room.
I’ve never been a beer drinker, but now with the whole Craft range of beers, there are some I don’t mind… but of course I have plenty of qualified taste testers lining up!! I do love my wine… Hence why I couldn’t stop at Brew Crates 😊
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