Small business spreads wings

Tuesday, 4 June, 2002 - 22:00
YORK resident and business owner Meagan Gardiner has taken her home-grown business, Cards With A View, across the globe.

What started out as a simple card-making operation has turned into a full-time business operation making mini shadow boxes, which Ms Gardiner has exhibited at international events, including the San Francisco International Gift Fair. She said her involvement with international exports and exhibitions came through her membership of Craft Australia.

“I joined Craft Australia because I felt I needed some support and to be part of a group as well as a place to get advice,” Ms Gardiner said.

“When you become a member they send you out newsletters and flyers. One flyer I received talked about the San Francisco International Gift Fair and that funding was being made available. I submitted an application and got accepted to exhibit.”

That was in 1999 and Ms Gardiner has been every year since. This year she will fund her trip with six fellow art creators.

Ms Gardiner will discuss her export success at Breaking Through the Barriers: Tales From First Time Exporters. The SBDC event will also feature talks by Clinical Cell Culture scientific director and WA Business News 40under40 winner Marie Stoner, and Department of Industry and Technology manager of international operations Simon Johnson. The Women in Export event will take place at the Parmelia Hilton at 5.30pm on Wednesday June 12.