PEOPLE
By design
Marcus graduates combining business with creativity
Milly Brett – Dust N Boots Milly Brett (nee Terbutt) DipAgri’13 is responsible for designing and marketing for Dust N Boots, the clothing company her mother, Gina Terbutt, started 20 years ago in the shearing shed of the family farm at Warialda, NSW. The company was born out of frustration. “Dad needed a work shirt, that cost less than $90 and wasn’t made from flannelette or polyester, which aren’t suitable for the Australian sun. Using our own fabrics, Mum established relationships with quality factories in China.” The company has grown in the five years Milly has been involved, adding linen dresses, skirts, and shorts to their repertoire. Orders now come from all over Australia and New Zealand, the UK, USA, and Canada. “Our big sales channel is the embroidery we do for businesses. We supply customised shirts for Warrakirri, Paraway Pastoral Company, Brunette Downs and Marcus Oldham! I design everything. I concentrate on durability. We take on feedback and work with people. We test everything that comes in to see how it fits and it’s all these points that go towards making the best products." No matter what field of enterprise, being in business with your family can have its challenges. Modeled by Milly's husband, Mark Brett BB(Agri)'15
" Dad needed a work shirt, that cost less than $90 and wasn’t made from flannelette or polyester, which aren’t suitable for the Australian sun." “It can be testing working with your mother, but we’ve both helped it grow by sharing ideas. Mum knows manufacturing and the importance of quality control, and I’ve helped technologically with a new accounting system, website and Instagram.” Milly found her time at Marcus was valuable when she returned home to design and market the clothing after travelling for two years. “Everything I learned at Marcus has turned out to be beneficial to the business now. Everything I took advantage of, such as Excel and designing programmes with Des Umbers and the Accounting side with Deanne Whelan, I’ve really needed. I made the most of what I could in that year, and it gave me the confidence to step into my role at Dust N Boots, knowing I had the skills to help the business grow.”
Modeled by Fenella Milling AssocDA'19
sales@dustnboots.com
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