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Located on the Mornington Peninsula, Flinders with its jagged cliffs, rich volcanic earth and sea views, is the founding home of "Fruits of Flinders" . . . so the story begins.
Early in 1996, at the age of 21, I began building a small business, "Fruits of Flinders". I had just completed a Bachelor of Teaching and although I loved teaching and working with children, I knew that if I wanted to start my own business then this was the time (I wouldn’t miss having regular holidays and a regular income if I had never had them). At this stage I didn’t know what business I would go into – I just knew that this was what I wanted to do.
In this frame of mind, it was not surprising that everywhere I turned there seemed to be a potential business opportunity. One in particular stood out. While helping out on a friend’s family’s hydroponic tomato farm, I noticed that there was a lot of excess fruit and at the same time, I experienced their family’s secret recipe for tomato sauce. So with their permission I set about producing a gourmet tomato sauce for commercial sale under the label "Flinders Classic Sauce".
This was not easy and involved researching and conforming to food manufacturing guidelines, health regulations and labelling requirements, as well as learning about marketing and distribution methods.
However, my enthusiasm and determination paid off with the (very exciting) production of 350 bottles of "Flinders Classic Sauce" on 25 September 1996.
I have since added a hot chilli tomato sauce – "Flinders Classic Sauce HOT!!" This has been a hit with lovers of hot food, offering not only a good dose of heat but also a great taste.
Nothing has been easy along the way, but thanks to the continuing support and encouragement of family and friends, combined with the basic business skills I had learnt from several small teenage business ventures, I have been able to finance and develop something I believe in.
I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the products I have pleasure in bringing to you.
Ben Hall.
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