Mark Candy can teach you a thing or two about resilience.
The small business owner, based in Mannum on the River Murray, very nearly lost his business as a result of one extraordinary incident.
In 2014, Mark was contracted to rehabilitate the Whyalla beach relocating sand from a sand bar to improve the shoreline. This was done several times a year to mitigate the natural erosion from the gulf currents and Mark had been moving the sand for several weeks with no problems.
Until that fateful day in February 2014.
Without warning, Mark’s tractor hit a soft spot on the sandbar. Bogged and racing against time as the tide moved in, he tried everything to move the machine, but Mother Nature could not be held back. The tractor was submerged and subsequently written off.
The media leapt on the story licking their lips at the quick “click bait” to fill a slow news day and within hours social media consumed the images sending the unfortunate circumstance viral.
A five second laugh for many very nearly killed a small business only just up and running.
“I thought it was the end of my business,” Mark said. “I had not been going that long and had borrowed a lot of money to make it all happen. It was devastating.”
Down but not out, just three weeks later Mark replaced the tractor and added a new truck and ute to his fleet. Rather than retreat, he was determined to show the local community, his family and friends and remind himself that he was “not going anywhere and was up for another go.”
“Ramsey Bros backed me 100% and got me a new tractor and off we went,” Mark said. “The farmers I had been working with also stepped up and backed me.”
That support made all the difference.
Mark’s business has not only recovered, it has thrived with his earthmoving operation now running across Australia.
And his lesson to others:
“Get it in writing, get it insured and don’t be afraid to get back on your feet.”
Good advice in these uncertain times.
