NZBUSINESS.CO.NZ 11
INSPIRATION
barista is also a chef, so she can help the
chef if he gets too busy.”
Sharna has three days off a week during
which she usually works from bed.
“I sometimes struggle when working but
have great staff and a great partner that
help me so much.
“I’m lucky I have staff I can trust to
run the show if I do need more time off. I
practice personal development nearly every
day and have become so mentally strong I
really think I can make anything happen,”
she says proudly.
Sharna opted for a vegan diet out of
necessity. “A diet without animal products
is the easiest for my body to run off,”
she explains.
Two years ago there weren’t many
vegan options in town, and in developing
the business, Sharna says she wanted to
create a place people could go to and feel at
home and enjoy food that looked and tasted
similar to non-vegan food, such as burgers,
pizza, donuts and brownies.
A large social media following also helped
get the café established.
She puts her success down to social
media, and the rising popularity of vegan
diets.
Highs and lows
Like any business, The Nourished Eatery
has produced its highs and lows.
The highs, says Sharna, are the days
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beginning, and I still remember to this day
some of the advice he gave me.”No shortage of support
Sharna is far from alone in her business
journey. There’s support from many other
women business owners in the Bay, her
parents, and her social media followers.
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“And for everyday café dramas my two
café neighbours help me out,” she says.
“They've been in the cafe industry much
longer than me so they always look after
me.”
Sharna is also close to publishing her own
book through her Facebook and Instagram
pages. “It’s about how I started my
business; it’s to inspire anyone wanting to
do the same thing.
“I also share all the customers’ favourite
recipes, my tips and tricks, and loads of
beautiful photographs.”
There are plans to open a second
Nourished Eatery later this year or early
in 2019.
“[This time] we need a larger kitchen and
more customer parks.”
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at some stage too.
“I hope to keep growing month by month
and remain true to myself,” she adds.
There’s much to admire
about this budding young
entrepreneur with the ‘can
do’ attitude.those who can’t help themselves.
“People tell me I’ve helped change
their life. It’s insane to me that I help
inspire people.”
She clearly remembers her toughest
day in business – the day a letter from an
ex-staff member’s lawyer arrived. “It asked
for a large sum of money because I’d let her
go within the 90-day trial period without
realising the 90-day trial was void because
she didn’t have her [employment] contract
on the day she started working for me.
“I had to swallow my pride and pay.
“It’s painful moments like that which
make me want to help others – so they
don’t have to feel the same pain as I did. I
absolutely wanted to give up.”
So how exactly do you build a business
while dealing with a debilitating illness?
Sharna’s attitude is – you can do it.
“My advice is to be honest with your
customers; talk about your struggles on
your platforms. We're all human and if
people can recognise your struggles – we all
have them – they can personally relate, and
they feel like your friend.
“If you can afford to, hire a manager.
They can write rosters, interview new staff,
train, set systems in place, and so on. Or at
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you though the tough times.
“Sometimes you need someone who will
listen to you moan, and help you see your
struggles from a different perspective.
“I had a business coach right at the“People tell me I’ve helped change their life.
It’s insane to me that I help inspire people.”
GLENN BAKER
IS EDITOR OF
NZBUSINESS.