Opening a small business in an outback town is always a risk, but for one Cloncurry local in Queensland's north west their grand opening ran right into COVID-19 restrictions.
Jen Daniels planned to have a grand opening for her homewares and clothing store on March 26 but when restrictions tightened she realised her opening was not going to happen.
She turned to social media and online marketing — and the uptake was "overwhelming".
"The first week after we had opened, I said to my husband, 'I don't think I could have done and been open at the same time' because I had orders all over the floor," Ms Daniels said.
"It was incredible."
The store is now able to open with social distancing in place but Ms Daniels' online sales are still incredibly strong — with orders from all over Australia flowing in daily.
"We're getting some great engagement from all over the countryside, it has been great," she said.
"I've found a lot of people that used to live up this way in Mount Isa or Cloncurry are sending me messages saying 'wow I used to live in Mount Isa or Cloncurry up there you know, five years ago, and I would have loved to have something like this and I'd love to support you'."
Ms Daniels moved to Cloncurry 12 years ago to work in the mining industry, but quickly met her husband who is a grazier in the region and they now have four children.
She said before opening her store she was working from home but missed socialising.
"I just wanted to find something that worked for me but also so I could engage with people in the community and give something for the women in the area," she said.
Adapting to change
When faced with COVID-19 restrictions, Ms Daniels said she took a "it is what it is" approach.
"I think it's a matter of evolving," she said.
"I know that there's a lot of people who are doing it a heck of a lot worse than what I am here.
"It's definitely not ideal, but it is what it is."
