THE HERB FARM REVISITED
The Herb Farm as a destination
Sarah is keen to further develop and promote the other aspects that make The Herb Farm so unique. "Destination promotion – venue hires and that sort of thing – has taken a back seat to the products in the last couple of years, but there's a lot of potential there."
In promoting the message that The Herb Farm is a total concept, not just a product line, she recognises that the best way for potential customers to experience and understand The Herb Farm philosophy is to visit the gardens themselves – they are an important part of The Herb Farm's branding, providing a living example of the company ethos of working in conjunction with nature to promote wellbeing.
"It's through the garden tours and in the workshops – where visitors create their own natural products from herbs on site – that this message can be promoted most effectively," says Sarah. "In the workshops they can have a fun experience actually making a product. But it's important that they can also learn about the ingredients and the benefits from using natural products – we try and educate people so that they're in a better position to make their own choices."
The gardens also have more than a functional and educational value. Their layout and tranquil atmosphere provide an ideal setting for weddings, private functions and seminars, and Sarah wants to further develop the potential of this aspect of the business. With the picturesque setting, versatile seminar room and a cafe capable of providing full catering for all manner of occasions, the essential elements are in place for successful venue promotion.
In Conclusion
Sarah stresses that any move the company makes must be well thought out. "I'm really big on being prepared for things. For me it's important to know we'll be able to do something properly when we decide to do it, rather than just jumping in and saying 'let's give it a go'."
"Sarah's a real workhorse," says Lynn. "She really believes in our products – she's grown up with them, and even travelling overseas she hadn't found anything that was better than ours. She has the ability to marry up that core belief with that drive required to make it successful."
"I think it's because of that basic belief that The Herb Farm has been successful, and will continue to develop successfully because we'll hold onto those core beliefs as we grow. Sometimes things can change, but, as long as we're involved, those beliefs are rock solid and won't change."
