They’re used to saving lives, but now Robyn and Marika Annetts are using their skills to bring happiness to others by setting up The Marshmallow Factory in Old Junee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Boasting 15 flavours from passionfruit, to caramel and Oreo cookie, The Marshmallow Factory is now hoping to turn the home business into sweet success.
“It’s been fantastic,” mum Robyn Annetts said.
“I made a new flavour the other day simply by mistake; I was making up a passionate batch and thought I was making strawberry with it. Everyone loves it!”
The weekend saw the launch of the mother and daughter’s first foray into the cut-throat world of small business, albeit in the supportive environment, at Wagga’s River and Wren Markets.
Robyn is a registered mental health nurse at Wagga Rural Referral Hospital doing mental health assessments, while daughter Marika works as a full-time enrolled nurse at The Canberra Hospital.
“On the days off when I’m not working I come home and help mum with the business,” Marika said.
Juggling a new business with nursing shifts is a challenge, but the rewards have so far been sweet.
“It took us three months to get it right, but I think I’ve got it right now,” Marika said.
The idea to go into the marshmallow business came from Robyn’s other daughter who lives in Canada, where marshmallows are a moreish commodity.
“I saw them over there and I thought, we have nothing like that here, so I’ll give it a go,” Robyn said.
The point of difference has been the growing variety of flavours that are locked into soft pillows of marshmallowy goodness that leaves many who try them, hard-pressed to stop at one.
For those worried about their waistline the girls trot out the line, “that’s why we have fruit ones, it’s a great way to get your fruit intake up!”
Like most cottage industries, The Marshmallow Factory is getting its biggest traffic by selling online.
“We do Rocky Road too and they’re chocolate coated, but they’re better in the cooler months as they will melt,” Robyn said.
River and Wren Markets coordinator Jennie Meiklejohn said she won’t be surprised if the business takes off in the Riverina and beyond.
“I have discovered that Wagga has the sweetest tooth!” Mrs Meiklejohn said.
“The Marshmallow Factory contacted me as soon as openings for the markets began, and, yes, they were nervous, but they have a product that people will buy.
“Look at the macaron stand that was near them; they bring more and more to every markets, and they always sell out,” Mrs Meiklejohn said.
The River and Wren Markets return to Wagga in March 2018.
