Asiuvou Health Foods produces Australian made, organic vegetarian and vegan products to enjoy. Main products include four different kinds of patties available: soy patties, red lentil, chick pea, and tofu and vegetables. These are packaged in 100% recycled boxes. Asiuvou Health Foods can be found in the ANU Co-op on Childers Street and at the Southside Famers Markets. The Deck is the first to put these healthy and delicious patties on the menu at Regatta Point.
Lighthouse talked with Shiara about why she decided to start Asiuvou Health Foods and seek mentoring support and an ACT Microcredit loan for its development.
Starting Up a New Business
My family changed its diet to support my son who was allergic to wheat. Within four months of being wheat-free and gluten-free, we all felt better. I began to cook different types of foods. I was tired of going shopping and not finding any vegetarian products that were tasty and that you can enjoy at home that were solely made in Australia from organic Australian ingredients.
I decided that I wanted to make Australian made, organic vegetarian and vegan products more widely available to Australians.
We need to take care of our bodies and the earth on which we live. My products do all that.
Asiuvou Health Foods Brand Values
We care about our well-being and the environment. We use 100% biodegradable and recyclable packaging so as not to clog up landfill.
We feel there needs to be more support of our local economies. Asiuvou Health Foods supports local farmers and business by buying locally grown produce.
Composting and using packaging that won’t be here when my children are my age is one way that we reduce the impact that we have on our environment.
The ACT Microcredit Loan and Brilliant Idea Program
The workshops that work hand in hand with the loan process helped tremendously, as well as the staff at Lighthouse. They are very supportive and want you to succeed.
“One of the purchases I made with the loan money was a new mixer. The new mixer takes five times as much mixture as the old one, so I now only have to put in one big batch rather than five smaller ones.
I have learned a lot about my business, the direction I want it to go, what my business stands for, costing my product correctly so that I am not working for free, valuing my worth. I have more confidence in myself and my business, which is important when going to market your business.
What Next?
I want to be self-sufficient by December 2011. The loan gave me a step up towards that goal. The most important thing to me is being able to support my family without having to rely on benefits.
Asiuvou Health Foods has a small client base which I hope to expand. Not everyone is comfortable going into a health food shop. I hope to increase the reach of the products and start distributing them via mainstream food stores.
Top Tips from Shiara
Go for it! What have you got to lose? Either you do it now or maybe regret it if you don’t give it a go.
Get out there more and be confident in promoting yourself at social functions.
Connect more with your customers through facebook and twitter.
Contact details
ShiaraAstle
E: shiara [at] asiuvouhealthfoods [dot] com [dot] au
W: www.asiuvouhealthfoods.com.au
B: www.asiuvouhealthfoods.blogspot.com
P: 0416 814 660
