Warm Rewards Set For Rural Business

Warm Rewards Set For Rural Business

Online, North Canterbury business, Cosy Toes has been named a finalist in two categories in The David Awards 2011.

The David Awards recognise unsung heroes in home and small businesses throughout New Zealand, whose tenacity, courage and ingenuity place them firmly at the forefront of entrepreneurship in this country.

Cosy Toes has been named a finalist in, Most Outstanding Transitional Business and Most Community Minded Business categories.

The mother of two set up her online business retailing merino wool socks almost seven years ago after struggling to find woollen socks for her young children.
"I grew up on a sheep farm and I know the difference between wool and synthetic products. I couldn't believe I couldn't find woollen socks when New Zealand's heritage is wool," she said.

Research on the internet revealed few manufacturers were producing woollen clothing. Much of New Zealand's wool was being exported as a raw product or used in the high end fashion industry, she said.

Setting up her label, Cosy Toes, Ms Robinson began by manufacturing quality merino socks in New Zealand for babies and children but the label has now grown to include a wide range of adult merino socks as well as expanding into merino wool clothing for children and women.

Today, her client base is international.

"The website is our life link to the world and no one would really know that all this is operated from a little rural town," Ms Robinson said. "People, too, are using the internet more and more for online shopping and social networking."

Tracey has always liked to give back as much as she can to the community but her most recent was in February 2010 when the devastating earthquakes struck Christchurch she quickly made Cosy Toes a base for others in New Zealand to help those families affected and in need of help.

“We live only an hour north of Christchurch and life was carrying on as normal here with so much devastation down the road.” Robinson says. “I found out what families needed the most in Christchurch through phoning the Salvation Army and the police.” Through her clients and using social networking she put the call out for any donations of nappies or baby wipes to be sent to Cosy Toes and Tracey would make sure the goods got through to Christchurch. “The response was amazing and in the end we sent to Christchurch, nearly 4000 nappies and around 6000 wipes plus boxes and boxes of other donations – baby food, formula, and sanitary items for example.”

Cosy Toes has also been able to help the Rural Women New Zealand sell their merino Aftersocks where all proceeds for these go to The Christchurch Mayoral Fund.

Organizer of the Awards, Heather Douglas, says, “Home, small and micro businesses are often the start of something bigger and it’s important to nurture this sector as we see some remarkable success stories start from simple beginnings. There are also many, many small businesses which do not intend ever to grow beyond a certain size but whose contribution to the economy and the local social fabric is vital to New Zealand. These businesses are often overlooked but, without them, their communities and New Zealand as a whole would be much poorer. The judges have been impressed at the varied field of entries and the way in which, even in the current economy, these inspirational businesses are achieving the kinds of successes they are.”

The winners and the Supreme Award winner will be announced on the 3rd of October 2011.

ends

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