Mangawhai mums makin’ it big

GROWING: Megan Hale (left) and Ruth Stitt admit it’s hard work keeping up with the growth of their new business.

Even fairy tales begin in Mangawhai and this is a story worth sharing… Once upon a time there were 5 children, 2 husbands, 2 households, 4 part time jobs with a Cherry on Top!

These are the families of Ruth Stitt and Megan Hale who (though with little spare time) are just two average, everyday Mangawhai mums who have turned a hobby into a thriving business and are having a ball doing so. 

Ruth and her family only just emigrated from the US to Mangawhai in September 2011 then in October last year the new friends began their business venture  making little girls’ hair clips and calling it Cherry on Top.

Megan takes up the story: “We started selling them at the village market and the response we received was mind blowing so we decided to pluck up the courage and approach Kathleen at Mangawhai pharmacy about stocking our clips – well you could have knocked us over with a feather when they bought our entire stock!”

That was 10 months ago. Since then, along with numerous late nights, many blistered fingers, hours of research and planning, a new product line of tutus and loads of laughs, giggles and special memories, Cherry on Top is now in 15 retail stores from Whangarei to Tauranga and the South Island with many more goals and targets to meet and more to come. 

“We aren’t professionals, we’ve never been accountants, advertisers or marketers, sales people or reps but, I tell ya what – we are now! And at times, boy are we run off our feet!” says Megan with a laugh, though at the same time admitting to hours of cold calling and research for outlets such as gift shops, boutiques and even chain stores.

The partners are grateful for the local support and encouragement they have received and have a growing and great supportive fan base on Facebook. Both having young children, they intend running a fundraiser in conjunction with Before Six in November. 

In a market where their competition is largely imported products they are proud to promote Mangawhai and all products and cards display their unmistakeable ‘Mangawhai’ logo.