Kay Saarinen has topped the competition in the national AusMumpreneur Awards, with her small, regional skincare business from the Far South Coast beating large competitors.
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The founder and manufacturer of Eco Seed to Skin by Saarinen Organics was a finalist in four categories and placed in all of them: first in handmade excellence, second in people's choice product, second in sustainable business ethics and third in regional business excellence.
"It's pretty amazing to get such great recognition, especially for an eco, sustainable, small, rural business," Ms Saarinen said on Wednesday.
"It's not that long ago eco, sustainable small businesses were laughed at pretty much, and now we are winning awards!
"And on the flip side, being eco and sustainable is trendy now!"
Ms Saarinen said Wyndham's Eco Seed to Skin was up against multi-million dollar businesses with big teams and large-scale manufacturing operations, but still managed to place at the top of the competition which "blew [her] away".
"It just gives us that merit that we're up there with the big boys!" she said.
The AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Australian mothers in small business.
Ms Saarinen said her experience as a mother to her daughter Gemma had contributed to her success at running a business.
"I really wanted to show our daughter that you can live an eco, sustainable lifestyle and make a decent income as well," she said.
"I think it's really important for Gemma to be able to see us work and be part of us working, so she understands the connection of money equals time."
It is clear she is an inspiration to her 12-year-old daughter, as Gemma helps out in the family business and even has a business of her own making bath bombs.
Ms Saarinen, who has been living the eco, sustainable lifestyle for the past 20 years, said she was able to build her business to what it is today by following her passion, sticking to her ethics, always striving to improve and listening to her customers.
"I think that's the beauty of how our business has grown, with the local community giving us feedback on our products," she said.
"We are so well supported locally in the Far South Coast.
"I think our success is the region's success."
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
