From outback cattle stations to country retail store with Karen O'Brien

A Friend of Mine by OAK Magazine

For Karen O’Brien, opening a homewares store was a dream in the making for many years.

Karen and her husband Jed lived in the outback for 15 years managing cattle stations whilst raising their young family. As their four children grew older, Karen began to think about what she could do beyond being a mum. The idea of starting an online business emerged. However, the limited access to resources in the remote area put this idea on hold.

On a trip to Victoria, Karen drove through the historic town of Yackandandah - it was love at first sight. Six years ago, the family moved from the Kimberley to the small rural village with its natural charm and historic appeal. It was in Yackandandah that Karen launched her business.

Vivienne Cate, named after her daughter, offers a unique curated collection of cowhides, sheepskin, leather bags, hats, fashion and homewares - with a focus on natural materials and handmade products that Karen personally selects.

Karen started with selling cow hides online, but as the business grew, she realised the importance of interacting with customers in person.

Karen converted a small office space into a display room and eventually found a shop front space on the main street. Vivienne Cate grew rapidly to the point it was “bursting out onto the streets” before Karen moved into a bigger space..

In this episode, Karen shares her journey of moving from the Kimberley to Yackandandah, her passion for entrepreneurship, and the challenges she faced in starting her own business. Karen also discusses the beauty of Yackandandah, hidden gems in the town, and the importance of supporting local businesses.

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This episode was hosted by Kimberley Furness, founder + editor of OAK Magazine. We are a proudly independent media publisher dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female change makers and women in business in regional and rural Australia. OAK is an award winning community ecosystem of print, digital, audio and events. We have demonstrated outstanding quality, innovation and impact through our print magazine, podcasts and audio version of OAK Magazine. OAK is where you will find in-depth chats and courageous conversations with women in business from regional and rural Australia.

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For more inspiring stories, visit OAK Magazine website. Hosted by Kimberley Furness, Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine.

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