BALD Rock Beef Jerky owner Dan Ford is still celebrating award euphoria but said he never harboured any doubts Tenterfield would support his bold venture.
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What started as an ambitious gamble on the family farm has grown into a lucrative business for Mr Ford.
Hard work over the business’ initial 21 month life has seen Dan rewarded with an assemblage of Tenterfield Business and Tourism Excellence Awards.
At September 24’s awards gala Bald Rock Beef Jerky picked up excellence in agribusiness, people’s choice award, excellence in innovation and a highly commended in business of the year.
Mr Ford said those accolades are the standouts in his whirlwind rise to the top of Tenterfield business.
“So much work was put into preparing and running a successful Kickstarter project that I was more than prepared for what was ahead.
“I knew that once people tasted Bald Rock Beef Jerky they would love it regardless of what country they live in and I have really seen that.
“Since then we have reached 150 retailers and have sold over 100,000 packets of jerky and gained entry into the highly prestigious Eat Street Markets at Portside in Brisbane where I run a market stall every Friday and Saturday night,” he said.
The business is ever-evolving and growing with success allowing Dan to hire some helpers.
“I have been able to rent an office in town as my headquarters, employ five casual staff.
“I am ambitious to see my business continue to grow. When I reflect on how my business has evolved I realise a lot has been achieved and I need to be more content with progress so far.
“Bald Rock Beef Jerky is still in its early stages of development and there are lots of exciting things we are working on and many changes to come.
“More manufacturing is to take place in Tenterfield. The Wallangarra Butcher has recently taken on some of the processing of the cattle that come from “Bald Rock”.
“The next packaging update to be released soon will seek to further promote Tenterfield on every packet and I hope that Tenterfield will be synonymous with the brand,” he said.
Export is high on the agenda with Dan busily working to tie up further deals to expand output.
“We regularly export to the Pontifical Swiss Guards where it is on sale in their canteen in the Vatican. We are in the trial stages of stocking a large liquor chain in the Solomon Islands.
“A lot of work still needs to be done to promote our export opportunities. This will be the next area to consider our expansion along with Australia.
After ditching a law career to pursue jerky, Dan says looking back there are no regrets.
“The biggest thing was giving up my Officer Cadetship with the Army Reserves because of business pressure.
“I still keep my practicing certificate current but at this stage have absolutely no plans to go back to being a lawyer,” he said.
