Wagga’s start-up popularity is baking up a new batch of businesses across the Riverina.
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It follows the sweet success of two mothers, who have taken a love of baking one measure further.
In less than 12 months, Meredith West and Jessie McCabe say their biscuit venture has risen in batches.
The pair join an increasing number of residents across the region, breaking down business barriers and becoming entrepreneurs.
Meredith West said when she was reunited with her old university friend last year, the pair got to talking and decided to combined their love of baking to open Dough Re Mi Cookie Co online.
“Being in the country used to be a bad thing – you were isolated,” Ms West said.
“But that’s not the case anymore.”
Ms West said from small boutiques to events and city markets, their at-home business stirred a storm of support across the Riverina.
She said community spirit, local produce and a passion for baking had been the right ingredients for their start-up.
“From there it’s grown,” Ms West said.
“And we proudly say we are from Wagga.”
Ms West said the pair now supplied cookies to customers in Queensland and South Australia and planned to open a commercial space in the future.
Working Spaces HQ manager Simone Eyles – credited for creating her own start-up before start-ups existed – said online business start-ups gave entrepreneurs more options as they could bypass financial, commercial and marketing barriers.
Ms Eyles said seeing a dream become reality for one, inspired other, which was why Wagga had become a popular location to begin the journey.
“They see the success of start-ups and think, ‘If they can do it, I can do it’,” Ms Eyles said.
“And Wagga has it all … it’s not a country town.”