By JOLENE OGLE
NOOSA needs a business revolution, according to local business owner and investor Ralph Rogers.
Mr Rogers recently opened the Acres home and garden centre on Gibson Road, Noosaville, and said while he wanted to create a unique, out-of-the-box retail centre for Noosa, he also went to great lengths to ensure all businesses opened within the centre were designed to give young people a go.
“I fear if we don’t do something that encourages young people to get into business, we will end up with a generation of working poor,” he said.
“A lot of young people in Noosa are qualified and have dreams and aspirations but they can’t get work in the area they want to live in.
“That’s horrible. We’ll end up with a town of haves and have-nots. I think that is sad.”
Mr Rogers said the best way to combat the issue was to encourage young people to follow their business dream and provide affordable commercial spaces for them to thrive.
Mr Rogers, who also owns Ecom Noosa, said he had offered cheap rent to a number of start-up businesses to help encourage young people to get a head start.
“Between Ecom Noosa and Acres, we now have 19 businesses, the majority of which are new, with 70 employees and business owners,” he said.
One such young business owner is Cailla Nasmyth, who aged in her twenties owns the fashion store Queen of Archers within the Acres building.
Cailla, who comes from a background in hospitality, said she saw a gap in the market for a more individual retail shopping experience tailored to Noosa.
“I love Noosa and I wanted to offer my customers a unique service from a local,” she said.
“Our clothing is suited to the environment here, with most labels from Byron Bay. It’s easy-to-wear fashion made from cotton and rayon, so it breathes and is designed for all ages.”
Cailla said it was daunting to start up her business and while she still worked a second job to make ends meet, it was with thanks to Mr Rogers she was able to follow her dream.
“A business is something I’ve been working towards for my whole working life,” she said.
“I’ve been striving to one day have my own business and have something of my own.”
Cailla said the commercial rents in Noosa were the biggest hurdle in the journey to own her own business, but a chance meeting with Mr Rogers gave her the opportunity to get started.
“Ralph has made the rent affordable for me,” she said.
“So I’m working hard to make this work.”
Mr Rogers said offering affordable rent to young business owners had been a dream for him and he was excited to see the store owners forging ahead at the Acres complex.
“I’m excited to see young business owners who share my vision of a better Noosa economy,” he said.
