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A leap of faith into the world of business has paid off in spades for Bendigo woman Paige Davies.
The entrepreneur not only runs booming retail company Frankie and Co, she also took home two trophies at the Bendigo Business Excellence Awards on Friday night.
It was just three years ago Ms Davies left behind her life as a kindergarten teacher to move into the competitive world of women’s clothing.
But already her brand employs 15 people to service stores in Bendigo and Swan Hill, and has established a loyal online following.
Asked whether the business’ growth had exceeded expectations, Ms Davies said: “When you're in it, and you're working it 24 hours a day, you just go with it without you even knowing.”
But success had not come without sacrifice for Ms Davies.
In the company’s infancy, the mother-of-two spent weekends away from her young family, travelling Victoria to host parties.
Taking out a bank loan to pay her first employee was also a tough choice, but one the businesswoman would not reverse.
“I have made so many mistakes with Frankie, but if I had to do it all again, I'd do it all the same,” she said.
Frankie and Co workers were also applauded during Friday night’s ceremony, a Be.Bendigo and Bendigo Advertiser-sponsored event.
Be.Bendigo chief executive officer Leah Sertori called them “an army of advocates”.
Ms Davies described the women with whom she worked as “like sisters”, saying the adage ‘don’t mix business and pleasure’ had proven false for Frankie and Co.
“They are all like-minded and they all want what’s best for the brand,” she said.
It’s a strategy Ms Sertori applauded.
“She talked about her staff first being customers, and being people who really loved the brand and what she was creating,” the CEO said.
Asked what was next for the company, Ms Davies said her sights were now set on the maternity market; a sneak peek of the collection recently posted to social media quickly garnered thousands of likes.
She is also on the lookout for bigger factory space as her business rapidly outgrows its current base.
It will be the third time the business has moved to bigger premises in the past two years.