By Mikayla van Loon
Two young entrepreneurs from Mooroolbark have kick started their own venture to support a children’s charity, while growing their ability to visit family.
Brothers and best friends Harry, 9, and David, 6, launched their business, My Garden Pet, on Saturday 2 December at the Kids Stocking Stuffer Market in Officer.
Their mum Elise said after being given the Barefoot Kids book at Christmas last year, ideas started to flow and the entrepreneurial spirit grew.
But more than that it was a desire to be able to visit family in Queensland that inspired the brothers to make some money of their own.
“My sister and her two kids, Emily and Tyler…they used to live two streets away but they moved to Queensland for their dad’s work,” Elise said.
“We try to get up once a year, or they come here but now it’s getting a little bit trickier with three kids. So they thought, ‘Oh, well, let’s start a business and then we can pay for Emily and Tyler to come down or we can go up and visit them’.”
Having hosted a cordial store over Easter, where Harry and David donated the money to the Royal Children’s Hospital, Elise said it was an element the brothers wanted to work into their business plan.
“We’re always teaching them you have to give back because it helps people smile. It’s a good trait to have in life. You don’t just make money for yourself, you make money to give to others,” she said.
Taking a neighbour up on the offer of some old fence palings, Harry helped dismantle the fence and then sand and prime them.
From there Harry and David decided to paint quirky looking animals onto the palings, the first going to their Aunty with bright coloured chickens.
As word spread, orders started rolling in, with one lady picking up five garden pets and soon the boys were running out of palings.
But with the generosity of the community, Totally Precise Fencing stepped in twice to donate old fence palings for the boys to use.
“Everyone’s happy to donate their old fence failings and the boys are thrilled to get them every delivery, they get excited about the different textures and little nooks and crannies that they can work with, with their little face design.
“So at the moment, they’re doing the chickens, but some of the comments were ‘can you do some owls, or what about some dogs? And what about an Australian animal series?’
“So one lady wants them for an Airbnb that she has out in the countryside. So they just write down their little orders and their ideas for the different animals.”
Attending the market despite the pouring rain, Elise said it was a great experience for the boys and everyone was extremely interested in their idea.
“Everyone was really impressed with the uniqueness of it. It wasn’t like a key ring or something you’re used to seeing at a market, it was something a little bit unique or out of the ordinary.”
Elise said she couldn’t be more proud of the dedication Harry and David have shown, fitting in their painting and orders around their other activities like basketball and piano, as well as budgeting for all their supplies.
Seeing as it is Christmas time, Elise said the boys plan to reach a certain point before they select some gifts to be donated for other children this year.
“It’s just opening up everyone’s eyes that this is a chance where you can buy one of their garden pets to give to somebody else but then in return, they’re also giving to somebody to make their Christmas smile as well.”
With lots of ideas to ensure My Garden Pet continues, Elise said she “hopes it’s not just a fleeting thing over Christmas”.
“Hopefully it grows for them. It’s something they love and enjoy…and hopefully, My Garden Pet goes and makes a whole heap of people’s gardens and people really happy.”
My Garden Pet can be found on Facebook to either follow Harry and David’s journey or to place an order.
