OPINION: Small businesses fascinating and creative

FASCINATING PEOPLE: Some of the members the Wairarapa Women in Business Facebook group - all very interesting and creative people.

This week, as opposed to launching a critique of societal ills, I thought it was time to praise a sector of society instead -- and this edition gave me plenty of fodder.

I was lucky last week to interview some clever and visionary entrepreneurs: John Hart with his environmentally-friendly possum trap (more next week), Tulletha Pollett-Scott and her gorgeous upcycled dolls, and Catherine Whyte, the brains behind Greytown's new outdoor market. Not to mention the line-up of producers Catherine has booked -- jewellers, toy makers, bird house designers, the works.

Small businesses, such as Tulletha's and those of the Greytown marketeers, are pretty ubiquitous these days. I've been told, as a reporter, to steer clear of such "commercial endeavours" -- a) because new businesses are so thick on the ground they're hardly newsworthy, and b) they can pay for an ad, like everyone else.

One must be mindful of the line between news and advertising. But some of the most fascinating, creative and just plain brilliant people I've interviewed have been these business owners.

For a start, some of the stories behind the businesses are pretty captivating. I've interviewed women who had spent years out of the workforce while raising children and, fed up with no interviews, taught themselves a new skill on Youtube, did a business course and set up shop while their kids played in the background.

I've met others whose businesses gave them self worth while recovering from illness, who set up allergy-friendly food business after being diagnosed with gluten intolerance and, following family tragedies, invested their savings into studying natural health practices.

There are the true DIY types.

Tulletha, for example, who sometimes spends 10 hours a day on her dolls. There are those who make jewellery from old door knockers and curling tongs. Who make moisturisers and eye drops in their food processors. Who mix and bake their own dog treats.

But what impresses me most is their courage. It's a gutsy move to start a businesses bang smack in the middle of a recession. It's a Herculean effort to get an enterprise off the ground -- research, sourcing materials, building contacts, accounting, building a website.

It takes tenacity to keep going when the deck isn't always stacked in your favour.

I have dreamed of working for myself -- selling hand-knitted wedding bouquets was one idea. But, I chucked that in. It was too much work, and heaven knows if it'd take off. But, if my contacts had the same fears, they pushed through them and the clients started rolling in.

Business owner, artist, or not-for-profit project leader -- skilled, unconventional and fearless people are worth a story. I look forward to hearing more.