October is Small Business Month! And to celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the great small businesses we have throughout the New England and North Coast. See all the stories here.
Today for Small Business Month, let’s kick things off by demonstrating the diversity of local small business with artisanal woodcarvers, a bookkeeper, and a creative collective that you simply have to visit.
Kendall Craft Co-operative
21 local artisans, one very special shop
22 Railway Street, Kendall NSW 2439
Tucked away in Kendall’s heritage railway station, the Kendall Craft Co-operative is a little gift shop with a big focus on keeping things local.
The shop is home to the work of 21 local artisans, who come together to share the space and volunteer their time to keep the doors open. Everything on the shelves is locally produced and handmade, with the co-operative deliberately avoiding imported and mass-produced products.
That means a visit to the Kendall Craft Co-operative is a chance to discover something a little different — from handmade gifts and creative pieces to locally crafted treasures you won’t find in a typical chain store.
The co-operative is open seven days a week, making it easy for locals and visitors to drop in, browse the work of the participating artisans and perhaps find something special to take home.
With 21 makers contributing to the shop, there is plenty of variety, while the co-operative model means every purchase helps support local creative people and keeps money circulating within the community.
It’s a simple idea with a strong community spirit: local artisans working together, volunteering their time and creating a place where locally made products can be enjoyed and shared.
Wood We Create
Where timber tells a story
32W Fitzroy Street, Walcha NSW 2354
Established in 2013 by David and Fiona Barden, Wood We Create is a Walcha woodturning gallery where locally sourced and salvaged timber is transformed into beautiful, handcrafted objects, distinctive artworks and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Around 80% of the collection is made on-site by David, whose passion is allowing the natural character of the timber to shine through. From practical woodware for the home and kitchen to sculptural and artistic pieces, every creation celebrates the grain, colour, texture and quirks that make each piece of timber unique.
And that’s part of what makes a visit to Wood We Create more than simply a shopping trip. David is the artist and craftsman behind much of the collection, and visitors have the chance to meet him, talk about his work and discover the stories behind the timber and the pieces he creates. Made-to-order work is also available for those with their own ideas or something particular in mind.
The gallery extends beyond David’s own work, showcasing selected pieces from other local artists, including paintings, glass art and woollen and felted lampshades. For those who can’t make it to Walcha, the Wood We Create online store brings the collection to customers further afield.
Whether you’re looking for a special gift, a distinctive piece for your home or something to treasure for generations, Wood We Create offers something increasingly rare — a genuinely handmade piece with a story behind it, often created from timber that has its own story to tell.
Alpha Bookkeeping
Taking the stress out of the numbers
23 Rifle Range Road, Inverell NSW 2360
For many small business owners, keeping on top of the books can feel like just another job on an already long to-do list. For Jen Beeton of Alpha Bookkeeping, the goal is simple: make bookkeeping easier, clearer and a little less stressful.
Jen has lived in her hometown since 1992 and says being part of the local community is an important part of what she does. With more than 12 years of industry experience, she provides bookkeeping, BAS, payroll and cloud accounting support to Australian small businesses, with a particular understanding of the challenges faced by local tradies and small business owners.
As a Registered BAS Agent and Certified Senior Bookkeeper, Jen brings professional experience to the numbers, but it’s her personal approach that she sees as equally important. She takes the time to explain things without the jargon, makes herself available when clients need help and focuses on building genuine, long-term relationships.
For Jen, that means more than simply keeping the books up to date. It’s about helping business owners understand their numbers and feel more confident about their finances, while freeing up their time to concentrate on running and growing their business.
Honesty, trust and integrity sit at the heart of Alpha Bookkeeping, with Jen taking the time to understand that every business is different. Whether you’re an established tradie, running a small business or just getting started, her aim is to provide personalised support that makes managing the financial side of business feel a little more manageable.
Throughout October, we’ll run stories highlighting the great local businesses we have right here in our communities. This is a free service – the businesses highlighted have not paid for this story.
Want to highlight your business? Just fill in this form – places are limited.
Please share this story to help support New England businesses! See all our Small Business Month profiles here.