Richard Ramsay, owner, Bronte Fresh, Bronte, NSW
Tell me about Bronte Fresh
I started the business about three to four weeks ago in response to the coronavirus lockdown, which was playing havoc with my other business, The Artists Labels designer scarves.
I initially bought 20 boxes which sold in a few hours.
Since then we have promoted ourselves locally on social media and local letterbox drops and the business has evolved into offering home delivery.
Although at the start we just offered the family box, now we also offer a box for couples and a gourmet box, which includes a greater variety of produce.
How did the business come about?
The idea for the business came about while I was talking to one of my best mates who is a fruit and vegetable wholesaler.
He was talking about how his income stream was affected as he normally supplies to many cafes, restaurants and clubs which are either now closed or operating on take-away business only.
We came up with the idea of the fruit and vegetable box delivery so that he could supply the produce in boxes packed in his premises, which comply with HACCP and NSW Food Authority regulations.
What do you specialise in?
In a crowded market, we deliver HACCP certified fruit and veg boxes with minimal contact direct to our customers' homes.
We supply our produce in sealed cardboard boxes making it a safer alternative than shopping in your local supermarket.
Where do you source your produce from?
My mate supplies and packs all the fresh produce from his wholesale business, Food Box. Most of the produce is sourced from Sydney Markets.
Who are your customers?
When I first started I was predominantly selling to friends, and friends of friends,
However, with a little bit of promotion I am growing my customers base with lots of locals, including the elderly who want to remain in isolation.
How did you get into the fruit and veg business?
Quite by chance after a conversation with my mate who runs, Food Box. He was looking to extend his customer base and I was looking for a way to grow my income during the coronavirus lockdown.
I usually run a business designing and selling designer scarves but my ability to travel with this business has made it very slow in the current environment.
People are looking to support their local businesses do you think this will continue after lockdown?
People are really supportive of local businesses at the moment. We can only hope that this continues once we get back to normal.
In fact, we did our letterbox drop in conjunction with our local butcher to halve the costs. It just makes sense for local businesses to partner where they can to help each other out.
What is the best thing about with fruit and vegetables?
I feel really good about supply fresh fruit and vegetable to my local community, offering a safe alternative to supermarket shopping while at the same time earning an income to support my family.
What is the secret to a surviving in business at the moment?
We should all make the most of this opportunity, while our usual activities are hampered, to explore new ideas and opportunities so that we come out of this we are invigorated, both from a personal and businesses perspective.
We have the opportunity to recalibrate and rethink how we do business in the future and I think we should make the most this time.
What is most challenging?
There is lots of competition for food box deliveries at the moment, however our customers are keen to shop local.
We offer safety, good value for money and free delivery.
What does the future hold?
I think the coronavirus lockdown has made it necessary for us to change the way we do business.
Once we get back to normal, some of that may stick and looking at the positive we can only learn from the experience.
