An 18-year-old working part-time at a bakery turned $1,000 into Australia’s most beloved muesli brand – as she shares her tips for young entrepreneurs looking to make it big.
Carman’s founder Carolyn Creswell had been working at the bakery in Hawksburn, Victoria, for about six months when the owners announced they were to sell.
The first-year university student, who was told she may lose her job depending on who bought the business, jumped at the chance to put forward an offer with a colleague.
They presented $1,000 each and the small muesli business was theirs.
Fast forward 29 years and it now has an estimated worth of $83million.
Carolyn Creswell was 18 years old when she spent $1,000 to buy a small muesli business in Victoria
Fast forward to 29 years after buying the business in 1992 and Carman’s is a household name in Australia, with products available for sale overseas. Pictured: Carolyn Creswell
The company’s name was born by combining the first three letters of Carolyn, with the first three letters of her business partner’s name, Manya.
‘I was a girl who had lots of part-time jobs and one of them was making muesli,’ Ms Creswell told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I’m still as passionate as I was then.’
After a few years in the game, her founding partner wanted out and Ms Creswell bought her shares.
Fast forward to 29 years after buying the business in 1992 and Carman’s is a household name in Australia, with products available for sale overseas.
They have a range of more than 130 products but Ms Creswell says she is always looking for ways to evolve.
‘It’s bigger, I have more staff. I’ve become a bit more of a household brand,’ she said, looking back to the business’ transformation over the years.
Carman’s current success is a world away from its humble beginnings which saw Ms Creswell grinding up the nuts herself before packing them into boxes in her family’s study room.
‘I was a girl who had lots of part-time jobs and one of them was making muesli,’ Ms Creswell told Daily Mail Australia. ‘I’m still as passionate as I was then’
Carman’s current success is a world away from its humble beginnings which saw Ms Creswell grinding up the nuts herself before packing them into boxes in her family’s study room
She worked day and night to lift the venture off the ground and would deliver the muesli to local cafes with her own car.
Ms Creswell was awarded 2012 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year and has now teamed up with Amazon to help share her expertise.
She is a judge for Amazon Launchpad’s 2021 Innovation Grants initiative.
Amazon Launchpad showcases innovative products from startups and emerging brands to millions of Amazon customers.
Speaking about the program, the mum-of-four said she tries to give back where she can by sharing the information she has learnt over the last three decades.
‘I’ve mentored lots of small business people for the last 15 years,’ she said.
‘I love seeing people with their ideas.’
There are five grant packages this year, worth more than $200,000 each.
They include: a $20,000 cash grant, Amazon advertising support, a boot camp experience with access to Amazon experts, a national advertising package with JCDecaux Nurture, industry mentorship, and onsite marketing placements on Amazon.com.au.
Ms Creswell was awarded 2012 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year and has now teamed up with Amazon to help share her expertise. She is a judge for Amazon Launchpad’s 2021 Innovation Grants initiative
Ms Creswell’s success did not happen overnight. She bought the small muesli business for $1,000 back in 1992
Ms Creswell commended the initiative as it gives small business owners the opportunity and exposure they probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.
This is something she could relate to herself after partnering with Amazon.
The self-proclaimed ‘huge’ online shopper was well-aware of the importance of e-commerce as it was growing.
She eagerly contacted the ‘pinnacle of online shopping’, Amazon, to see when they would launch in Australia – and was ecstatic when the first order came through the service.
‘I burst into tears in the in front of the whole office,’ she said.
Ms Creswell has two key tips for entrepreneurs ready to have a crack in the market: ‘Give it a go’ and evolve.
‘I think just give it a go. Start at the night and at the weekend,’ she said.
While a lot of prospective small business owners believe they need to give in their day jobs, Ms Creswell said you can find time to create the side hustle to ‘see if it resonates’.
Chadd Ciccarelli (pictured), Head of Launchpad at Amazon Australia, said the unique program helps start-ups and entrepreneurs reach their online potential – whether they live in Broken Hill, Tassie, or Far North Queensland
Ms Creswell’s second tip – evolving the business – can include updating the price point and labels, as well as listening to feedback.
When judging for Amazon Launchpad, Ms Creswell said she is always looking for what she expects to be a ‘commercial success’.
This goes beyond whether something ‘tastes good’ and is about filling a gap in the market and solving a problem.
She reiterated ‘giving it a go’ and entering Amazon Launchpad’s 2021 Innovation Grants initiative.
Ms Creswell said she applied for the Telstra award for 16 years before she won it.
‘What’s the worst that’s gonna happen?’ she said.
‘Lean into a bit of bravery and put yourself forward.’
Ten finalists will be given the opportunity to virutually pitch their entry to a panel of judges. Ms Creswell will be joined by Chadd Ciccarelli from Amazon Launchpad, last year’s grant recipients Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford from Crockd (pictured) and Kylie Frazer, of tech investment group, Eleanor Ventures
Chadd Ciccarelli, Head of Launchpad at Amazon Australia, said the unique program helps start-ups and entrepreneurs reach their online potential – whether they live in Broken Hill, Tassie, or Far North Queensland.
‘We hope that this year’s Innovation Grants will nurture the ingenuity that Aussie entrepreneurs are famous for and help the winners grow their businesses through e-commerce,’ he said.
Ten finalists will be given the opportunity to virtually pitch their entry to a panel of judges.
Ms Creswell will be joined by Chadd Ciccarelli from Amazon Launchpad, last year’s grant recipients Rosa-Clare Willis and Andrew Ford from Crockd and Kylie Frazer, of tech investment group, Eleanor Ventures.
Ms Willis of DIY Pottery Kit brand, Crockd said: ‘Not only did Amazon Launchpad open our eyes to Amazon as a marketing and distribution channel, but the program provided the support we needed during 2020.
‘The mentorship we’ve received has been incredible, and we’re seeing our business grow on Amazon.com.au.’
Entries close at 11.59pm on May 10 and the five winners will be announced in June.
