MILDURA small business owner Tracey Hickmott has been named a finalist in the 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards.
Ms Hickmott’s deodorant start-up Natural Approach was nominated in the Regional Business and Hair and Beauty categories for the Victorian and Tasmanian branch of the national awards last month.
Both categories recognise businesses run by mothers that have achieved outstanding results in aspects such as marketing, customer service, creativity, innovation and resilience.
Ms Hickmott said it was the first time she had been nominated for the awards and was surprised and honoured.
“Women that are in these awards have achieved a huge amount – I just see myself as having a go,” she said.
Ms Hickmott started her business after she struggled to find an effective deodorant from a young age.
Concerned with the chemicals she was putting on her body, she decided to experiment with her own, using family and friends as trial consumers.
With the positive feedback, she turned her hobby into a business and has since sold thousands of tins of deodorant Australia-wide.
Ms Hickmott said with sales taking a hit due to the coronavirus restrictions, the nominations and possible wins were welcome opportunities for her to promote her business.
“Out of three forms of income – online, wholesale and markets – I’ve lost two,” she said.
“I’ve taken a second e-commerce course which has seen sales increase online, but this is a great opportunity for more exposure.”
Ms Hickmott said she also hoped to inspire other women who were looking to start their own business.
“I would love to win, I think it’s really important when you’re a business owner to have that recognition of the work you do,” she said.
After winning LaTrobe’s Accelerator Program last year, and with changes to the business such as a new name, new logo and new products soon to be unveiled, Ms Hickmott was hopeful the nominations would take her business to the next level.
Judging takes place Friday with winners announced next month.
