Janene Sweetnam

I was born in 1969 in Cairns, the daughter of a milkman, which was always the running joke for my parents at the time.
I spent my primary school years in Biloela and High School years at a girls’ boarding school in Rockhampton. I guess you could say these were the forming years of my independence as a woman. Leaving home to attend boarding school from 11 to 17 years of age certainly gave me an early independence.

My parents have always raised me with the awareness that I could do anything in life. Gender was never an obstacle in my way. So when my childhood passion for speech and drama began to turn into something I wanted to do with my life, I auditioned for drama school at USQ. I was successful at gaining a place and at 17 I went o to Toowoomba, naive and with the world at my feet. It was an exciting time in my life.

I deferred the next year to go and explore the world and myself. I left uni and trekked down the east coast of Australia, looking for adventure. I picked fruit, washed dishes, waitressed and discovered this amazing country and the world through the travellers I met. This whets my taste buds and I started saving immediately for a one-way fare to London. The next few years I spent travelling through Asia and Europe, working my way around and meeting fantastic friends that I still have to this day. Needless to say, I did not return to uni and did not finish my degree. The travel bug had grabbed me and I wanted to see the world.

I eventually returned home to my family – a little more world-wise and had to decide what to do with myself. I travelled Australia, doing all sorts of jobs and started my first business venture, a co ee house, at 22. I had no idea what I was in for and could only follow my instincts. After all, I drank in enough co ee houses in Europe. What followed were two and a half years of hard work, laughter and tears. I called it my University of Life. I made little money but I met the bills and the bank loan and I guess this was the beginning of my foundation for business. I have watched my parents with their own businesses all my life and have constantly been in awe of their achievements. Managing my own business was a dream of mine.

I did not give up the theatre and still participated in amateur theatre, where I met my husband, Darren. We married in 1995 and have a 4-year-old son, Rhett. Prior to moving to Tiaro, we lived in Kakadu for 3 years, working in tourism. I did long hours and finally thought that it was time to put my e ort into a family business. I wonder, at times, how we found ourselves in the Tiaro Shire as opposed to some of the places we have lived, but deep down we know it was the draw of my family and the opportunity to raise our children in the country that outweighed the thoughts of moving into city life.

We have all worked hard to build this business in Tiaro. Mum and I started with a small post office in October 2002, purchased the newsagency in Tiaro in 2003 and moved the post office to the newsagency. In 2004 we could see the need for a supermarket and added 400 square metres to the building to incorporate the Foodworks store. My son was also born in 2004, whilst we were trying to build all three businesses. We had a strong belief that the shire was going to go ahead and consequently, we invested a great deal. It is a gamble that has paid off. It’s been long hours and at times a thankless job, but it has been worth it.

As a woman in business, I have found both satisfaction and heartbreak. When our own personal tragedy struck my husband and me in February 2007, with the loss of our second son midway through my pregnancy, it tested all my limits. Being a woman in business did not interest me for most of 2007. I retreated and just wanted to cope with my grief. Dealing with the day to day operation of the business was extremely hard and without the fantastic support of my husband, my parents, friends and our staff, I would have simply closed up shop.

This is the amazing thing about women in business; being a predominately female workplace, the women at Tiaro Foodworks were incredible. They pulled together and kept the shop running. The sta are Tiaro Foodworks and I am but one of the cogs that help keep it running. I cannot imagine running my business without the support network that goes hand in hand with it. I understand what they mean when other women say to me that I am lucky to have my mum close by to help with our son.

I only carry admiration and wonderment for women who do not have their mums close by to help them. Both Darren and my mum have been an integral part of me being able to work in business. Sometimes I think we tend to gloss over how hard it is to be a working mum. I would love to tell you that I arise, fresh-faced, every day to face all my challenges head-on with a smile, but the reality is very different. I have my good, my bad and my ugly, just like everyone else. I can honestly say that it is the customer that comes in with a smile and a kind word that can absolutely lift my day and remind me of the reason I am in business.

‘It is a gamble that has paid off. It’s been long hours and at times a thankless job, but it has been worth it.’