18 | Mid-Western Living March/April 2024 ELISE RAFFERTY Elise runs Bowerbird Cottage, an antique and collectables store located within a quant heritage cottage in Gulgong. Tell us about Bowerbird Cottage We have a wide range of antique and vintage pieces. We believe antiques should be accessible to all and therefore maintain reasonable and affordable prices. To pay homage to the high quality of products grown and produced in the region, we offer premium gourmet food and local artisan products, ranging from from candles to olives and steel garden sculptures. What inspired you to start your business? I have always been a thrift shopper and collector. I’ve loved old kitchenware and furniture for as long as I can remember. To me, each item is like a piece of art, with a life and a story - it’s like magic, it can trigger a memory of a grandparent or event. I often come across quirky or stunningly beautiful things and it’s nice to be able to share them with others. What does 2024 hold for you? Quite a lot, but I’m most excited about holding regular high tea style events to take advantage of my products and the cottage as a venue. ___ @bowerbird.cottage bowerbirdcottage.com.au LISA AUSTIN Lisa is the co-founder of Mudgee Concierge - an all-inclusive travel and event curation business that specialises in creating bespoke experiences for Mudgee visitors. What makes Mudgee Concierge unique? We tie all the best businesses and experiences that Mudgee has to offer and package them for our guests’ wants and needs. We help with any request that guests have - from private dining experiences, babysitters, transport, event coordination - no request is too big or small. Our clients think of us like their Mudgee fairy godmother, making their dream trips come true! What do you love about running your business? I love being able to help people create amazing memories and showing them all that Mudgee has to offer. With all of the stresses we experience in modern life, creating sparks of joy is so important! I also love being able to highlight fellow local businesses to our guests, there are so many talented people in the area, it’s fantastic to see peoples’ reactions to them. What is your personal definition of success? Waking up each day feeling happy, content and eager to show our clients all Mudgee has to offer. ___ @mudgeeconcierge mudgeeconcierge.com.au
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