Mel Connell is another of Lismore's young entrepreneurs. Mel has worked in construction, media and the police, all pathways leading Mel opening her own business in the CBD. Maive McKenzie sat down with Mel to learn her life story.

Growing up, my roots can be traced back to Forbes, a quaint town nestled in the heart of New South Wales. However, my family embarked on a journey that led us from Forbes to Moore before finally landing in Goulburn. 

This transition was primarily driven by my dad’s career as a District Emergency Management Officer within Law Enforcement, a role that demanded a lot of dedication and commitment. 

While his job was known to be a bit intense, my mother, a kind and beautiful soul, had dedicated years as a devoted stay-at-home mum before reentering the workforce in the field of accounting. 

During the initial years of my schooling, I encountered various obstacles, but as time went on, I found the most enjoyment during the grades of ten, eleven, and twelve. Although these years presented their own share of difficulties and demands, I managed to cultivate deep, enduring bonds that continue to enrich my life today. 

These friendships have provided me with unwavering support and happiness. It was during this period that my enthusiasm for starting my own business was ignited. The idea of being self-employed, breaking free from others’ expectations, and being my own boss felt so appealing. 

I discovered that I had developed a deep affection for delightful smells. That magical instant when a beautiful scent wafts by, and you find yourself thinking, ‘Wow, that smells incredible! Where is it coming from?’ Those are the moments when all the stress seems to dissipate, and you're left to bask in the soothing aroma, simply savouring the moment. It was these instances that inspired me to name my store “Mel’s Melting Moments.”

But before that, I need to backtrack to the time when I first arrived in Lismore in 2001. Initially, I enrolled in a TAFE course for Floristry, but later, I went back to complete the business program. I ended up gaining extensive experience working at a local floral shop right on Molesworth called “Cupids Fine Chocolates & Flowers.”

However, throughout the years, my professional journey took me through diverse roles, from positions in construction to managing a tool store right along Molesworth Street as well, and even serving as an NBN receptionist. 

Each role I undertook provided me with valuable life lessons, significantly contributing to my personal development and ultimately shaping me into the person that I am today. I learnt how to communicate better with others and definitely learnt from bad bosses! 

In 2002, during my time managing a tool shop, I had my first experience of witnessing flash flooding in Lismore, where the water levels rose up to the levy. This event marked my initial encounter with flooding in Lismore, setting the stage for what would unfold in 2022, an even more impactful year in terms of flooding. 

It wasn’t until 2007 that I found myself back in Goulburn, this time working at the Police Academy. Here, my main responsibility involved overseeing the training of highway patrol interns. 

This role entailed gathering crucial information and structuring their learning activities. While the job could get intense at times, having been around law enforcement since the age of three, nothing here really fazed me much.

I realised, however, that this was not the job for me but my love for all of those people I met there. They were lovely and strong, and I was certain I wouldn’t want to do their job either. 

Coming back to the Northe­rn Rivers region felt like­ returning to a second home for me­. In 2012, I made the exciting de­cision to open my very first market stall at the­ local Carboot Markets. My initial venture was cre­ating handmade candles. 

I started by e­xperimenting with differe­nt scents and moulds, blending various fragrances and trying out unique­ candle shapes. Over time­, through trial and error, I develope­d my own distinct line of candles, proudly owned and crafte­d right here in Australia. 

My unique candle­ creations quickly gained recognition among marke­t visitors, and my stall started to become a popular destination­.

(Mel at the Car Boot Markets at the Lismore Square Shopping Centre)

As my small business began to flourish, I expande­d my product range, venturing into the cre­ation of fragrant diffusers and luxurious bath bombs. I didn't stop there­, though. In a playful and humorous twist, I introduced a line of gag gifts – funny and amusing items. The­se lighthearted cre­ations were designe­d to make people chuckle­ as they walked by or to serve­ as entertaining gifts for friends and family.

In 2018, I took the leap and launched my online website, expanding my business to reach a wider audience. The virtual platform allowed me to showcase my handcrafted candles, diffusers, bath bombs, and many others. 

It was a significant step towards growing my business and gave me the opportunity to connect with customers beyond the local market scene which would later come in handy for the Coronavirus that was a little while away. It let my business re­ach more people and ke­ep going strong even during difficult time­s.

The opening of my shop in March 2021 was one of the most exciting days in the creation of my business. The day finally arrived after months of planning, designing, and so much time and effort. The location felt so perfect, right in the heart of the town, surrounded by other local businesses and a bustling, lively and loving community.

I have two kids and when I first started. I had my lovely little four-year-old right in the back with me as I created my products and throughout the day. There was a lot of pressure and jobs to do when both running a business and having kids, but people were so supportive and caring. 

They understood and respected the struggles and joys of motherhood and never even blinked or hesitated to give a helping hand. Some would look after them just to give me a break to get some things done, and even whenever it was a birthday, they would bring in choccies for the kid even though we had some here. 

The support and care that came from this community not only showed that they care for small and local businesses but also that they care for the people who run it. The support I receive will never be forgotten, and I am always deeply grateful and touched by the love our community holds and gives to everyone.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found unexpected success in my business, being able to ship out locally and people being able to access my store virtually was such a lifesaver. More recently I’ve been getting orders all across the country, shipping all the way to Western Australia, alongside many other areas like Victoria and South Australia. 

However, one of the biggest struggles during this time was having to turn people away. The pressures of Government restrictions and a looming fine of $50,000 led me to have to turn some away from my business, something I would never want to do. 

Interacting with people is one of the best elements of running a business, and that part being limited was one of the biggest struggles of this time. Some people I found were even abusive, which is a hard thing to experience for anyone especially as I never meant them any harm.

The 2022 Lismore flood brought unprecedented devastation and challenges to our region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. As someone with a shop right in the heart of it all, the impact of the flood was extensive, testing our limits of resilience and determination in the face of such a monstrous event. 

Yet, amidst the wreckage and challenges, the seeds of hope and resilience were sown, paving the way for a new beginning and a brighter future ahead. While navigating the challenges the flood brought was a long process, I’m glad and proud to have my doors open again, with the open sign waving happily out in the wind once more. 

We were able to rebuild with the help of the community, and I am grateful for all the support. The way we were able to come together to help each other out showed how the heart of Lismore can never be washed away and I feel like this disaster made us stronger, as individuals but also as a community. 

Ever since the flood, I’ve been happy coming to work every day, almost wanting to kiss my shop because I know more than ever how special and important it is to me, especially after I had lost it before. However, after the flood, I have had to adapt and adjust it all just in case of another. Almost everything is detachable, I can move the shelves higher or completely take them out, so I can be as ready as possible.

After all of that, the recent financial crisis posing issues around our country has posed problems for my business as well, even more than COVID did. Yet, much like COVID and the flood, it will pass and afterwards, we will be even stronger. There will always be ups and downs in business, all I can do is get on my board and ride that wave, and I don’t think I would want to do anything else.

At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be here if it was for the support of our community. These people are like my family, and if there is one thing I have learnt from the people of Lismore, it is how nothing can crush the spirit of a community with unlimited resilience, love and kindness, and I am so proud to be a part of this community.