Wendy Erhart

Co-Founder of Withcott Seedlings Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Winner 2005

Wendy Erhart grew up on a rural property in Southern Queensland, developing an appreciation of Australia’s harsh weather conditions that inspired many of her future business endeavours. Today, her Erhart Group of companies is at the forefront of horticultural change and innovation, experiencing almost 30% growth annually for twenty years. The core business, Withcott Seedlings Qld, is Australia’s largest fruit and vegetable seedling nursery, producing 380 million seedlings annually.

Wendy credits her strength to her journey of growing a business amidst the Australian drought. By turning risks into opportunities, focusing on continual learning and utilising a hands-on approach, Wendy has enriched her own nature, while instilling positive and innovative change for those involved in her team and the horticultural industry at large.

Wendy’s success has been recognised with appointments to the National Food Industry Council of Australia and many Federal and State committees including the Queensland Ministerial Board for Workplace Health and Safety. She won the Premier of Queensland Smart Business Award for Agribusiness 2004 and co-owns Australian Sprint Car and Racing Car teams.

Do you have a vision for making sure that your company will last well into the future?

The vision I hold for the Withcott Group of companies and our new private motor racing venture is to create sustainable business growth. The tough Australian climate has taught me to be vigilant and react, as well as maintain economic, environmental and emotional sustainability.

How can a leader be both daring and caring at the same time?

Any leader can be daring and caring by truly valuing the opinions of others. Creating an environment where individuals feel free to express their ideas and a system where their ideas can be fast tracked from innovation to commercialisation results in profitable outcomes. A daring and caring team rides on a wave of people energy.

Madame Clicquot said, “Only one quality, the finest.” What is your motto?

Consistent quality delivered through a system of economic, emotional and environmental sustainability.

What words of advice would you give to someone starting their own business, especially in the current economic environment?

First identify what they are truly passionate about. Take time to find out more about who you are and what motivates you. Set a vision for what you would like your future to be; this vision may include other people close to you, so take time to consider their feelings. Communicate your quality message and plan regular reviews of your economic, emotional and environmental sustainability. My final advice would be to value the opinions of the people around you, be honest with yourself and know it is okay to seek help and advice.

Winning the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award has...

created opportunities where I was able to influence change to benefit rural and regional Australia. Since winning the Award in 2005, I have been given the opportunity to speak to many people across Australia and to sit alongside State and Federal decision makers. The message I try to give to others is that we all have an inner strength, a strength that in times of adversity can see through the dust and haze and create a new opportunity. For me winning the Award has enriched my love of this great country and the many stories that people have generously shared with me are lifetime memories.