Information for secondary students and school leavers
Carl Jaunay – the stresses, struggles and satisfactions of being his own boss
Carl Jaunay 's first step toward achieving his goal was to take a labouring job with Malcolm, an orchid grower. "I wanted to get into flower growing and I could see Malcolm was doing well. I knew if I put my head down I could copy that example of success and get it for myself."
Carl remains grateful for the support Malcolm gave him – including help with his apprenticeship. "He said, 'If you do this training you can work up to manager and I’ll help you along. I’ll help pay for it.' So off we went. It was good.”
Watching Malcolm's business expand gave Carl confidence to set up his own orchid growing business, as did passing the business courses he’d included in his apprenticeship.
Unlucky timing meant making a profit was a struggle
Carl was unlucky with his timing, and the start-up was harder than expected. "It’s been a massive struggle, with the dollar being high. I started off four years ago and I've probably been paid half the minimum wage in reality.
“There were quite a few times where you feel like you are almost at a point of breakdown, to be honest. You come in and you find some flowers ruined and you think, ‘I’m not going to make it this year’.”
Carl finds independence is worth the worries
- Carl setting the timer in the hothouse
However, doing things his own way is worth a lot to Carl. "I like being able to dictate what’s happening. I enjoy doing the accounts each month and the business side, as well as getting my hands dirty – cleaning a pump and doing mundane tasks.
"I’ve changed the staff policies and the way we grow things and I’ve seen the outcomes – some have worked and some haven’t. I've enjoyed the challenges of adapting to the environment."
Because Carl's busy time is the winter, he gets to slow down in the summer. "I only have to work two hours a day for the summer if I want. I enjoy that. I can spend time with my family, we can go to the beach on days it’s hot."
Carl and his wife even timed their arrival of their second baby for the summer, so he could be around more. “Otherwise it could be a bit hectic!”
Time to become a mentor himself
Now one of his staff is about to start an apprenticeship, Carl is hoping to pass on the same sort of support he himself got from Malcolm.
"It’s exciting, a new chapter. I’m looking forward to doing the best I can training this person up. The plan is to expand my business so my apprentice will become the hands-on manager of one part, while I start my new venture!"
