Matching: Melody Semmler checks her browbands against one of her horses.
MELODY Semmler was back home in Bakers Hill last Friday afternoon after a ‘red-eye’ flight from Sydney.
It was all worth it as the previous evening she was announced the state winner of the Telstra
Go for Business Gold at the Museum for Contemporary Art in Circular Quay.
Ms Semmler’s business Magic Browbands was one of the three state finalists and each of the owners went to Sydney.
Her section was for small to medium businesses but Ms Semmler’s could almost be a micro-business as she and her father are the only two involved.
She makes browbands for show horses – an ornate and decorated band that fits across a horse’s forehead.
“Ninety per cent of my clients are females in their early 20s who are show horse riders,” Ms Semmler said.
She takes orders over the internet and through Facebook.
On her Facebook page there are more than 4500 fans
The colourful bands feature Czech crystals.
Ms Semmler has an ideal background for her business as she was a graphic designer for the legal firm Freehills.
She also has a degree in communications.
The business is in its ninth year and Ms Semmler has made more than 9000 browbands.
“When I first started it took me at least three hours to make a band and now I can make one in 45 minutes,” she said.
“Over the last two financial years, business has increased by 200 per cent.
“I’ve had horses all my life so I know what riders want.”
In her limited spare time Ms Semmler researches glues for crystals and also makes fly veils for horses.
She acts as a colour consultant for her clients and markets other equine products but the browbands are her staple.
Ms Semmler lives on eight acres of land just out of Bakers Hill with husband Jarrod Egan and seven-year-old son Jordan – as well as her horses.
One of the highlights of her award was a masterclass in Sydney.
“We had sessions with Telstra’s top marketing and innovation executives and they were both instructive and inspirational,” Ms Semmler said.