Enchanting success story
ANN Healy has got a secret which many business owners would beg for.
The mother-of-six manages to run two prospering stores, Enchantments, at a time when businesses are struggling under the weight of a slow economy with budget-conscious consumers.
The latest Commonwealth Bank CCIQ Pulse Survey of Business Conditions found business confidence had dropped again since its post-election high after the Newman Government was sworn in.
CCIQ CEO Stephen Tait commented that Queensland businesses expressed growing optimism after the new government promised to stimulate the State economy, reduce business costs and ease the burden of regulation.
But many businesses were overwhelmed by the challenges of a weakening two-speed national economy, overseas uncertainty, a high Australian dollar and increased costs linked to the carbon tax, wage increases and productivity losses.
Ms Healy said even though retail was quite slow at the moment, her new-age spiritual shops in the East St Mall in Rockhampton and Keppel Bay Plaza in Yeppoon were doing quite well.
She moved her Rockhampton store to East St because she needed more room and she is currently renovating the Yeppoon store.
Mr Tait said a period of economic certainty would help struggling businesses with confidence and security.
While his wise words were not lost on Ms Healy, she described her business acumen "really very simple".
The positive mother said she would often follow her heart rather than her head.
"Sometimes you've got to go with your heart and shut off your mind, which is usually negative," Ms Healy said. "A lot of my stock is about helping people through difficult times."
PULSE SURVEY
- Measuring QLD business confidence and expectations for over two years
- Measures 500 businesses statewide
