Q: Who are you and what’s your one line elevator pitch
A: My name’s Melissa Rose and my elevator pitch is making products out of waste products to give them a second life…and making it easy for the public to access those items.
Q: What’s your personal favourite thing you sell in your store and why?
A: Probably the hemp loafers that I’m wearing at the moment. They’re made from hemp, plastic water bottles and tyres – they’re really durable and comfortable. I probably haven’t taken them off for about 8 months.
Q: Even to sleep?
A: I have slept in them!
Q: Why did you decide to open a shop in Margs?
A: I originally moved here in 2006 and really enjoyed the vibrancy of it. Actually this is my fourth shop I’ve opened on the Main Street! I opened my first shop in 2012, and I still have the second shop I opened as well as this one. I love Margaret River and I love being part of the community and bringing new exciting products and services here.
Q: What’s something interesting about you that people may not know?
A: I’m actually a social worker! When I moved here there were no social work jobs, and like a lot of people that move here you have to reinvent yourself. So a lot of people end up becoming business owners, which is good – it keeps Margaret River interesting.
Q: People in Margaret River often have to wear a lot of hats to get by. So…what hats do you have in the store?
A: For sale? I didn’t just want to open a shoe shop cos it’s actually quite a hard thing to make a good income from, even though one of the main products I produce myself is shoes. So the idea of an eco store is to share the space with lots of other people doing similar things to me – making products from upcycling/recycling. All of them are Australian companies. So the hats are made from old truck canvas in Darwin.
The idea of an eco store is to share the space with lots of other people doing similar things to me – making products from upcycling/recycling.
Q: Every local should come visit your shop because…
A: It’s different and quirky, and it’s fun!
