Trailblazing online fashion store founder Jane Cay is excited to see how a new national pitch competition encourages rural entrepreneurs to "step into the light".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The birdsnest chief will lend her expertise as a judge for Buy From The Bush Big Break.
The contest, launched by Buy From The Bush in partnership with PayPal Australia, has a $60,000 prize pool on offer and closes on Monday at midday.
Ms Cay's fellow judges are Buy From The Bush founder Grace Brennan, Liandra Gaykamangu, founder of Liandra Swim, which fuses Aboriginal Australian culture with premium designer swimwear, and Marco Steinhauer, PayPal Australia finance director.
Ms Cay shared some thoughts with the Daily Liberal about the new opportunity up for grabs.
What would you say to rural business owners or entrepreneurs who have an idea or plan but are unsure whether to apply?
Go for it, you have nothing to lose and much to gain!
For starters, it is open to all bush businesses at any stage - whether it's still an idea you are keen to launch or you are already operating and have a plan for growth.
We would LOVE to hear about it.
Tell us your story and help us fall in love with the concept too.
Yes it is daunting putting yourself out there but nothing ventured, nothing gained and you will learn something, even if it is more about doing selfie videos!
Be brave, small steps like this can transform into big turning points and be the start of something magical! At the very least, you will grow your cheer squad.
What impact do you see this competition having, not just for the winner, runner-up and people's choice winner, but for rural entrepreneurship in general?
There is a powerful and positive ripple effect of small business growth in rural communities.
The opportunities and diversification that rural entrepreneurship provides directly contributes to increasing the resilience of rural communities when a future challenge or crisis arises, be it floods, fires, plague or drought.
The Buy From The Bush Big Break is about celebrating the talent, innovation and ingenuity of rural entrepreneurs.
We know they are out there, I am excited to see how this competition encourages them to step into the light and be recognised for their work and potential.
And wouldn't it be nice if another side effect is shifting the mindset of young people living in the bush that you don't have to move to the city to get your 'big break', certainly something I thought at 18 when I headed off to the big smoke to study and work.
Glad I've been able to prove myself wrong, and I hope we can encourage a new generation of rural dreamers to ask 'what if?'