I have grown up on my family’s dairy farm for my whole life in Tasmania, Australia. I am pursuing my dream as a 14-year-old to run my own business. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the opportunities and experiences that I have had along the way over the past 12 months
As a 6-year-old girl, I loved cooking. While most girls dreamed of becoming a princess, horse rider or dancer, my dream was to be a chef. I have loved cooking from a very young age and being in the kitchen creating. I remember getting my first cookbook and chefs hat as a birthday present and wanting to make everything in it. I admire all of the cupcakes, macaroons, cakes, and designs whenever we go into a café and I continually explore and experiment how I can make them at home.
I met a café owner and former judge from one of my favorite cooking shows. He owns a dessert café in Tasmania and was well known for his macaroons and sweet delicacies with a twist. I had gone into the shop to have a look at his macaroons and I sought his advice by asking questions. My mum had to drag me away. I was so enthralled with all that he had to say and couldn’t get enough. He shared his Italian meringue recipe with me and gave me some tips to improve my macaroons.
Most of all he gave me an idea and completely ignited my passion. Once he found out that I lived on a dairy farm he encouraged me to make Dulche de Leche, a thick caramel sauce made from milk. What I have learned from my Mum, who studies and works with Bob Proctor, is when you have an idea you have to take action. As soon as I got home that afternoon I made a batch. I took some back into the café owner to try the following day. I remember his surprise that I had actually acted on the idea. And I knew I was on a winner when he tasted it.
This was the day that I made the decision to start my own business. It’s the perfect recipe/combination. I had an idea, now I needed to make a decision and take action. I had to research jar sizes, I designed my own label, applied for a business name, tax file number, food license – all the things to move me forward. I had so much support and opportunities from those around me. I had a goal. I wanted my product to be on the shelf of a particular store and I set about to make it happen. I kept thinking about my goal and what I wanted to achieve.
All the people, resources and opportunities appear when you have the right mindset and that is exactly what happened.
In under 6 months, my product was on their shelf!
As a result of running my own business, I’ve grown in confidence, meeting a lot of new people, presenting at a business networking event, been interviewed for a variety of articles, faced terror barriers, and created opportunities for myself. Many other doors have opened up for me with employment serving high teas at heritage accommodation where they stock and use my caramel sauce in their products. I have chosen to miss out on some things that children my age might be doing to focus on following my dream of selling my products internationally.
Now to set a bigger goal – opening café’s around the world.
Freya Downie
Freya Downie is a very special young woman that has had several articles written about her already and a short film that will be released this month. Take a moment and check out her store at: https://freyasdelights.com
