SHARON GRIFFITHS - HILBERTS HARDWARE

KEEPING THE TORCH BURNING BRIGHTLY

Sharon Griffiths is a Business Woman, Councillor, Mother and Grandmother rolled into one.

Big things grow from tiny seeds. Hilberts Hardware is one dynasty that started off small and has kept growing till today. And Sharon Griffiths is proud to share the story of how it grew.

Sharon is the third generation in the Hilberts Hardware dynasty in Wauchope. Celebrating its 50th year in business in 2021, Hilberts Hardware has come a long way since Sharon’s grandfather Marten started the business from a modest shopfront in Hastings Street, Wauchope.

After the sudden death of her father, Sharon took over Hilberts Hardware in 1991 and since then, she and her husband Jeff have grown the business. They now stock over 10,000 lines from general hardware to hydraulic fittings, wire rope and synthetics, an extensive range of tools and toolboxes, LP and industrial gases, paint, garden equipment to kitchenware and camping items.

When asked how she succeeded in a man’s world, dealing with log fallers, farmers, heavy haulage drivers, builders and the like, she chuckled and said, ”I think I’ve educated them over time, they know that if they’re going to ask me a question, I’m probably going to give them the answer, or I will find the answer promptly.”

The invaluable knowledge gained from working alongside her grandfather and father through the years since she was young prepared her well to deal with business and challenges her working environment brought her. Sharon also learned to be humble enough to realise she always had the option to research and ask if she did not know something, and this is a special touch that her customers appreciate. Her customers are never left hanging - if she did not know, she would source the product and find an answer for the customer.

ABOUT SHARON

Sharon was born and resided with her family in Newcastle until the age of 15 when her grandfather suffered a heart attack and her Dad Max moved the family to Wauchope to take over the hardware business. This was the catalyst for the continuation of the strong family-run and owned business that has become part of the Wauchope community.

She got into the business at a tender age and while Sharon attended Wauchope High School, she also worked in the hardware shop to help out after school and on the weekends. Once she finished school, she did a one-year stint alongside her father learning the ropes.

One with a spirit for adventure, Sharon packed her backpack and set off travelling around Europe, the US and Canada for 5 months. She thoroughly enjoyed every minute and soaked up all the experiences.

TAKING PRIDE IN THE DYNASTY

It has always been important for Sharon to keep the dynasty going. She believes there is a need in the community for a business like Hilberts Hardware. It is unique, and she is positive that if it disappeared off the business footprint in Wauchope, people would notice.

It is a constant in the lives of many and has brought the community many conveniences. There are so many products that you do not generally see on the shelf in most stores.

Often items that have a slow turnover and therefore not stocked by other shops can be found in Hilberts Hardware. That shows them as a heavyweight in the industry - they are not worried about a fast turnover. It is more important to them to supply what the customer wants.

KEEPING THE COMMUNITY CLOSE

The community is something that is close to her heart, and Sharon became a Councillor on the Port Macquarie- Hastings Council over eight years ago. She has served two terms and is considering running for a third. It was a male-dominated field at the time, but Sharon saw a need to step in and take pride in what she has to offer. She feared a loss of community and felt the need to bring about locations or interconnections where people could meet and actually connect.

Sharon saw infinite possibilities in bringing a community close - people could gather in a park to talk over beautification works, or involve community groups and activating people to get together to enable volunteering or they could even establish more local events to draw visitation to the area.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY

Being open and approachable meant that if a member of the community had an idea to do something in their community, they found it easy to go to Sharon and she is always ready to help in any way she can. Sharon believes that if someone is willing to do the work and put it all together, it should be encouraged. Sometimes all they need is some support and help so they have the correct information to help put their ideas into action.

Beyond the community, these schemes and plans that Sharon is introducing are helping the environment. Every bit of effort counts to making a change for the planet.

It may sound like Sharon is busy all the time with business and community. She keeps a balance in her personal life with her strong family values and taking care of her health by going to the gym at least once a week.

She also loves walking and going to the beach. She is health-conscious and so she watches what she eats, but can be found eating a works burger or a large bowl of pasta and she does allow herself to give in to the chocolate temptation on a regular basis! After all, she works hard and a little treat or two is a happy way to pamper herself after a long day!

hilberts.com.au | 43-45 Hastings Street, WAUCHOPE | www.facebook.com/hilberts.industrial | +61 265 852 400