From love to olive oil: How this Aussie couple’s $80,000 leap of faith is paying off big time!
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In a world where the entrepreneurial spirit is often celebrated, stories like that of this Aussie couple truly capture our imagination and inspire us to consider the possibilities that lie in taking a leap of faith.
The young couple, who had been dating for a mere five months, decided to invest a significant sum into a shared dream.
Their story is not just about financial investment but also about investing in each other and a shared future despite the risks involved.
Billy and Dani, who had been dating for just five months, each invested $40,000 to launch their olive oil business, Supper Supply.
It was a daring decision for the couple, but they said, ‘When you know, you know.’
The couple’s decision to pour $80,000 into their business venture meant sacrificing the quintessential Australian dream of home ownership.
‘It was enough that we could probably own a house by now instead of just renting if we hadn’t done it,’ Dani reflected in an interview.
‘We do see it the same as any other investment, doubtfully more high risk than most others, but hopefully, it will pay dividends one day, or it might not, and we’ll stay renters forever.’
Their business plan was straightforward: they aimed to sell virgin olive oil in squeeze bottles, similar to how tomato and barbecue sauces are packaged. Their product is recyclable and priced at $24.
Convincing their friends that it was a sound idea required significant effort. They had just begun their new relationship and were now also becoming business partners.
‘A lot of our friends think we’re crazy and still do. They were surprised that we took on a business on top of our day jobs and even more surprised when they learnt it was to sell extra virgin olive oil in a squeeze bottle,’ Billy shared.
In contrast, their families were more readily convinced and eager to support the young couple in their new venture.
‘Our families have always supported us, notably, Billy’s mum who would come over at 8 PM and pack orders for 2-3 hours with us each night, earning her title as Chief Packing Officer,’ Dani recalled.
Starting a business also involves significant trial and error, with no guidebook or training available when you’re in charge.
‘Though Dani has a marketing background in fast-moving consumer goods, neither of us really knew what we were doing to start off with. For example, when we ordered our first 5000 bottles, we made the decision not to put a barcode on the label—as we thought we would sell online initially,’ Bill explained.
‘We were quickly contacted by a number of stores who were interested in stocking our product—so night after night, we sat there sticking thousands of barcodes to the bottles for our retail customers.’
Balancing their day jobs—Billy as a lawyer and Dani in marketing—with their business was no small feat.
‘We’re lucky in that we were able to invest in our business and keep working. However, we have made a lot of sacrifices—no fancy restaurants, overseas holidays or other things we might have indulged in before,’ Dani shared.
‘The biggest investment has been our time. For a couple of years, we would get home tired from our day jobs and then start packing the day’s orders and do other business admin, often until the early hours of the morning, and then wake up and do it all again the next day.’
The couple now works with a distributor, which has reduced the physical workload, but the process remains time-consuming, with moments when they considered giving up.
‘We’ve been very close to shutting the business down a few times because of the burden, but glad we pushed on with it,’ the couple said.
Staying the course has paid off. Their virgin olive oil is now available at Coles, and the couple attributes their success to perseverance and finding the right support along the way.
‘We have a great relationship with a distributor—Really Good People. They were able to leverage their existing relationships with Coles and expertise in the supermarket space to get us on the shelves,’ Dani noted.
‘It took us a couple of years of proving our business model by selling our product online before we were able to get a look in with distributors for shelf space. We started in premium grocers in Melbourne before eventually getting a shot at Coles Local.’
Billy and Dani’s journey from investing $80,000 to seeing their product on Coles shelves is a testament to the rewards of bold decisions and perseverance.
Their success story mirrors the adventurous spirit of other Aussies who’ve taken life-changing leaps, like the couple who invested in an $80,000 cruise.
If their story of entrepreneurial triumph resonates with you, you might also be inspired by how investing in unforgettable experiences can transform your life.
Would you be willing to make a life-changing decision with someone you have known for months? Have you or someone you know taken a bold business risk that paid off?
Share your experiences in the comments below—we'd love to hear your stories of success and perseverance!
The young couple, who had been dating for a mere five months, decided to invest a significant sum into a shared dream.
Their story is not just about financial investment but also about investing in each other and a shared future despite the risks involved.
Billy and Dani, who had been dating for just five months, each invested $40,000 to launch their olive oil business, Supper Supply.
It was a daring decision for the couple, but they said, ‘When you know, you know.’
The couple’s decision to pour $80,000 into their business venture meant sacrificing the quintessential Australian dream of home ownership.
Billy and Dani invested $80,000 in their olive oil business, Supper Supply, just five months into their relationship. Credit: Supper Supply
‘It was enough that we could probably own a house by now instead of just renting if we hadn’t done it,’ Dani reflected in an interview.
‘We do see it the same as any other investment, doubtfully more high risk than most others, but hopefully, it will pay dividends one day, or it might not, and we’ll stay renters forever.’
Their business plan was straightforward: they aimed to sell virgin olive oil in squeeze bottles, similar to how tomato and barbecue sauces are packaged. Their product is recyclable and priced at $24.
Convincing their friends that it was a sound idea required significant effort. They had just begun their new relationship and were now also becoming business partners.
‘A lot of our friends think we’re crazy and still do. They were surprised that we took on a business on top of our day jobs and even more surprised when they learnt it was to sell extra virgin olive oil in a squeeze bottle,’ Billy shared.
In contrast, their families were more readily convinced and eager to support the young couple in their new venture.
‘Our families have always supported us, notably, Billy’s mum who would come over at 8 PM and pack orders for 2-3 hours with us each night, earning her title as Chief Packing Officer,’ Dani recalled.
Starting a business also involves significant trial and error, with no guidebook or training available when you’re in charge.
‘Though Dani has a marketing background in fast-moving consumer goods, neither of us really knew what we were doing to start off with. For example, when we ordered our first 5000 bottles, we made the decision not to put a barcode on the label—as we thought we would sell online initially,’ Bill explained.
‘We were quickly contacted by a number of stores who were interested in stocking our product—so night after night, we sat there sticking thousands of barcodes to the bottles for our retail customers.’
Balancing their day jobs—Billy as a lawyer and Dani in marketing—with their business was no small feat.
‘We’re lucky in that we were able to invest in our business and keep working. However, we have made a lot of sacrifices—no fancy restaurants, overseas holidays or other things we might have indulged in before,’ Dani shared.
‘The biggest investment has been our time. For a couple of years, we would get home tired from our day jobs and then start packing the day’s orders and do other business admin, often until the early hours of the morning, and then wake up and do it all again the next day.’
The couple now works with a distributor, which has reduced the physical workload, but the process remains time-consuming, with moments when they considered giving up.
‘We’ve been very close to shutting the business down a few times because of the burden, but glad we pushed on with it,’ the couple said.
Staying the course has paid off. Their virgin olive oil is now available at Coles, and the couple attributes their success to perseverance and finding the right support along the way.
‘We have a great relationship with a distributor—Really Good People. They were able to leverage their existing relationships with Coles and expertise in the supermarket space to get us on the shelves,’ Dani noted.
‘It took us a couple of years of proving our business model by selling our product online before we were able to get a look in with distributors for shelf space. We started in premium grocers in Melbourne before eventually getting a shot at Coles Local.’
Billy and Dani’s journey from investing $80,000 to seeing their product on Coles shelves is a testament to the rewards of bold decisions and perseverance.
Their success story mirrors the adventurous spirit of other Aussies who’ve taken life-changing leaps, like the couple who invested in an $80,000 cruise.
If their story of entrepreneurial triumph resonates with you, you might also be inspired by how investing in unforgettable experiences can transform your life.
Share your experiences in the comments below—we'd love to hear your stories of success and perseverance!
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