Owen & Kaye Pope share their Money for Jam journey
Owen and Kaye Pope went back into a version of their previous business after their retirement which proved to be very successful and beneficial. They are the founders of Anathoth, New Zealand’s favorite jam and pickle brand. The Popes share their money for Jam story and how and reinvent yourself at any age in retirement.
Before becoming a farmer, Owen had been involved in various businesses that shaped his entrepreneurial skills. Owen had been brought up on his parents’ farm and purchased a block of land near Nelson in the year 1988. This is where he planted raspberries. He had to undergo hardships where he wasn’t paid for two years for the fruits grown.
Later on they was able to make and sell jam to create income. The Popes eventually grew the brand large enough it was sold all over New Zealand. Their money for jam business was successful. They took on corporate partners that led to them being forced out. They eventually re-located to Australia which gave them their second wind.
Owen gives a word of encouragement to Grey Entrepreneurs by telling them they can be successful through perseverance and having a system. Kaye has written, Popes Passion, where she has documented the experiences of creating the Anathoth label, having a brand and a marketing system.
According to Owen, the jam and pickle business does not consume a lot of his retired time, in fact, it goes in line with his social life, and the startup cost is equally low given that you can easily finance it out of the government’s old age pension.
Owen is frequently asked how to make a lot of money from business, and his answer has always been simple. Putt quality as the highest priority followed by efficiency and then lastly profitability. Owen has a lot of knowledge concerning startups which he is ready to offer to the public. He believes that genetics holds people back from starting up a business and also that success is the best motivator for a business owner. His business has been able to expand mainly by filling the gaps existing in society.
The top three tips for business success
- focus on quality;
- efficiency;
- maintenance of good relationships.
There are many advantages associated with starting a home based business as Owen’s, and one of them is that you get to have a greater involvement and interest of others at home. Since re-starting the jam business, Owen’s life has tremendously changed, and he enjoys the part where he can supplement his pension every month with the view of replacing it one day. Apart from being an Grey Entrepreneur, Owen is also a treasurer of the Thuringowa Probus Club, and he also manages his Family Tree Web site that has around 8,000 family members.
In conclusion, it is all about believing in what you do and developing your dreams step by step. From Owen’s story, we realize that it is important to use your early experiences in your field of interest to develop your entrepreneurial opportunities.
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