18/09/2026
A little bit of a raw post today and to be honest, a little embarrassing to share.
But it’s also the very real experience of being a small-business owner in today’s economy and hopefully sharing it helps other business owners feel a little less alone.
It’s a reality I’d love to see change, because how are we in 2026 and so many Australians and small business owners feel like we’re going so far backwards?
We all know and feel household budgets are tight because ours is too. Bills keep rising, interest rates are high and by the sounds of things about to get higher and diesel has just hit $3 in parts of the ACT.
My husband and I also own and operate separate small businesses, we get it! So this certainly isn’t intended to pressure anyone into spending money they don’t have.
It’s really just a conscious reminder that small businesses are still here and working incredibly hard to create and keep local jobs, support other businesses and contribute something valuable and unique to our communities.
As many of you know, we reduced our trading hours right back over winter as fewer people were coming through our doors. We assumed the cold Canberra weather played a part, but ultimately, the cost of opening wasn’t making sense for us the first half of the week.
Now that the warmer weather is arriving, we’re reviewing our spring and summer hours and we would really value the input of our Rustic and Murrumbateman community.
When would you actually have time to visit? Particular weekdays or times? After 4pm? Weekends? Occasional late-night shopping?
If you’re out exploring the wineries and beautiful businesses around the Yass Valley this weekend, please keep Rustic and the other small businesses nearby in mind.
Small-business owners across Canberra and the Yass Valley, tag your business below so our community can discover you. I’ll also share your page to our story.
If you visit a small business this weekend, please share their dream and tag them so they can be seen.
That one small action could introduce them to their next customer.