26/10/2024
š Reflecting on a Journey š
On October 26th, 2009, I was 27 and heavily pregnant with my first child when I took a leap of faith after seeing a small advertisement in the Centralian Advocate: Afghan Traders was for sale by tender. With a vision in mind, my family and I jumped right in. Fast forward to today, at 42, with four children and countless hours of hard work behind me, here I amāa businesswoman, a mother, a town councillor, and a student.
Afghan Traders has been a creative haven, curating all things health-related and offering locals and visitors a unique experience that rivals anything found elsewhere in the country. Named in homage to the cameleers who brought supplies to the desert, Afghan Traders has always stood out, earning a reputation that extends far beyond central Australia.
Behind the shopfront are real peopleāa real familyāliving and working alongside you all. Whatās next? We arenāt going anywhere! I am committed to this town and this community. You canāt get rid of me that easily.
As I look ahead, Iām excited about the prospect of slowing down somewhat and spending more quality time with my kids, who have had to share their mum for so long. I truly look forward to this new chapter. Iāve been fortunate to have my children with me throughout this journey, but it hasnāt come without its challenges. How did I manage it all? I'm not entirely sure, but somehow, I did.
This opportunity has profoundly impacted me, allowing me the space to define my strength as a leader and to learn the intricacies of running a businessāfrom bookkeeping and HR to ordering, customer service, and everything in-between. I am proud to be a part of the history of Alice Springs, contributing to a legacy that will endure.
For years, I've believed that Afghan Traders reflects our community: beautiful, unique, diverse, and full of individuality. Weāve supported alternative health practices, at one point employing a team of 12 talented individualsānaturopaths, artists, yoga teachers, physiotherapists, students, mothers, hydrologists, and social workersāeach bringing their unique contributions to our mission.
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to my incredible staff for believing in me and being such an essential part of this journey. Your dedication and passion have been invaluable, and I couldnāt have done it without you.
As we mark 15 years, I must acknowledge that our community isnāt as strong as it once was. The landscape for small businesses has become more competitive, and the drive to work hard has shifted. Weāve never aspired to be like Coles or Woolies; weāve always aimed to provide an alternative that reflects our values and vision.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people in our community. Youāve shared your ups and downs with me, and I truly value the trust you have placed in me. I will miss our yarns and the meaningful conversations weāve had.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our journey. Special thanks to my former business partner, whose support was invaluable in pursuing this dream.
As I prepare to close this chapter, I trust that there is someone out there ready to fill the space that Afghan Traders has left behindābig shoes to fill, but not impossible. It will take hard work and determinationāqualities we need for the future.
While many people can comment, most are not qualified to criticize. I will dearly miss the certified organic Australian-grown food from local farmers, the beautiful natural products, the bulk spices, and the teas. I know many of you will too.
Thank you all for being part of the Afghan Traders family and part of our family. So, hereās to new beginningsā15 years to the day, I close one book to write another.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey! š
