Celebrating local creativity is what Mildura does best, and booming business FullofConcrete led by Megan Fullgrabe is truly in a class of its own. Lauren Adcock sat down with Megan to discuss the humble beginnings of FullofConcrete and how it’s rapidly evolved.
IN April 2016, Megan wanted to purchase a couple of concrete pots for her new house when her husband Josh suggested they made them from scratch themselves.
Reluctant at first, Megan came around to the idea and after the pots she created were quickly envied by extended family and friends, FullofConcrete was born.
“It was interesting to see the reaction from our family and friends who started putting in their orders. I guess it just all spiraled from there,” she says.
“We started with our planters, but soon after decided to enter the candle market to have a point of difference.”
The candles which are made from concrete and molded to life in the Fullgrabe’s family garage have become real crowd-pleasers, standing out above the original planters.
It’s not uncommon to spot the candles in workplaces or at friends’ houses where they have become a popular gift to give.
“The candles are what have made us popular and known. They’re a better selling product than our planters,” she says.
To shape each product, Megan uses various molds that range from proper American silicone to something as simple as a plastic container.
When asked about what inspired her most throughout the creative process, Megan says watching unique details characterise each product is her favourite part.
“I am totally obsessed with de-molding the product because it’s the first time you see the details and the colour,” she says. “I also love that our products have greater purpose. We’re starting to make large orders for special events like weddings, baby showers and baptisms, which makes the process so rewarding.”
But balancing a successful business with family life hasn’t all been a walk in the park for the part-time creative and full-time mother.
“Before my daughter was born, I used to work five days a week so FullofConcrete was simply just a weekend hobby,” she says.
“Now I work three days a week in my role as a permit co-ordinator for a local building surveying company, raise Winslow and work on the business at night or over the weekend. We just make it work.”
Another selling point that places FullofConcrete ahead of the game is that every candle and planter is freshly poured to sell a better, fresher product.
“We do like to pour our candles fresh just before we send them out which means that we do a lot of work at night after we’ve put our daughter to bed,” she says. “It’s more work for us, but better for the customer which satisfies us.”
FullofConcrete products are sold at Mildura and Red Cliffs markets and stocked at Tilley’s Furniture and a Melbourne hair salon.
Despite the business catering to a niche market here in Mildura, Megan hesitates about FullofConcrete becoming a full-time job because of the limited stockers.
“If there were more stockers, there would be the potential for this to become full-time,” she says.
“But for now, we’re happy with it being our humble side hustle for the time being, especially while we focus on raising our daughter.”
To get your hands on a beautiful concrete candle or planter, Megan will be at the Riverfront Boutique Markets on Saturday.
