Meet the Business Owner: Rachael Hart from Olive Health Foods
From purchasing the business during the midst of the COVID-19 restrictions and border closures to the loss of her father a short time later, Rachael’s first foray into running a retail business was anything but easy in the beginning. But, with a passion for making healthy lifestyles accessible for everyone on the border, Rachael was never going to give up easily.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Olive Health Foods was awarded first place in the Business Women Albury Wodonga grant to improve access to nutrition, health, and wellbeing within the region. We caught up with Rachael to learn more about her journey.
AlburyCBD: Tell us a little about yourself, Rachael. What’s something about you people might not know?
Rachael: Before Olive Health Foods, I worked as a chef. I hadn’t worked in, let alone run, a retail business. It was just pure passion that drove me to step into this new venture of owning and running Olive Health Foods in Albury.
While some might see me as the ‘new’ owner, I’m born and bred locally. Fun fact – my parents initially set up Kron’s Garden Supplies over 30 years ago in Barnawartha, and then to Melbourne Road Wodonga, which is now Wodonga Sand and Soil on Anzac Parade.
AlburyCBD: Tell us about Olive Health Foods. What’s your why, and what do you love about running your business?
Rachael: My journey, marked by personal loss, ignited a dedication to holistic living. Our mission resonates with a deep-seated desire to facilitate easy access to premium, nourishing products and promote healthy lifestyles across the region.
Olive Health Foods is my platform to share this wisdom, nurturing a space where individuals embark on their paths toward improved physical, emotional, and mental health. Contributing positively and connecting with our community is both fulfilling and rewarding. This endeavour isn’t just a business—it’s a passion of mine!
AlburyCBD: What’s a challenge you’ve had to overcome in business?
Rachael: Purchasing Olive Health Foods in November 2020 meant we had to navigate our way around COVID-19 and the challenges it threw at us. This was a very difficult time for us, with border closures affecting our staff getting to work and receiving deliveries from suppliers. We have a lot of customers who come from Wodonga, so the restrictions made it difficult for those customers to get to us as well.
With many of our local businesses having to close and restrictions in place, we didn’t have the foot traffic anymore. We began to offer extra delivery and call-and-collect services, making our products more accessible while still being affordable for customers.
On top of that, my father passed away suddenly in February 2021.
AlburyCBD: What would you be doing if you weren’t running Olive Health Foods?
Rachael: I would love to have a farm where we live off the grid—paddock to plate. I would have horses, chickens, and foster animals to help them find their forever homes.
AlburyCBD: What do you love about being in the Albury CBD?
Rachael: I love local businesses supporting other local businesses, and being central and accessible to the local community.
It’s a great community within the CBD. As I navigate my way around finding the balance between being a busy mum, running a business and family life, I have found the importance of having a supportive network. We all come together to support each other, whether that’s running competitions to bring in more customers or sharing ways to overcome the challenges we all face as business owners.
Another highlight is being on a first-name basis with the surrounding business owners.
You can find Olive Health Foods at 540 Olive Street. Rachael and her team stock a wide range of nutritional and sports supplements, allergy-friendly foods, and household and personal care products. Stop in and see them for all your health foods needs, and keep up with everything healthy on Instagram and Facebook, or visit their website at www.olivehealthfoods.com.au.
Olive Health Foods is part of the AlburyCBD Gift Card program.
Answers have been lightly edited for flow and clarity.
