How I started: Min Byrnes on becoming an accidental shopkeeper

How did you come up with the idea for Will & Russ?
I was an early childhood teacher for almost 30 years. In 2020, while I was still teaching, there were drought and fires in the region and the main street of Gunning didn’t have the best vibe. I noticed a little vacant shop and I thought maybe I could dress the window with some things from the farm. So I asked the owner and she gave me permission.

It gave people something to talk about other than the weather and when the rain was finally going to arrive.

Clearly a beautiful shop window is a Will & Russ signature. What did you do for that first one?
I’m a merino woolgrower and I live in a region renowned for its merino wool, so I really wanted to showcase merino wool in the window. I decided the base for the window would be our big old wool basket. Then I picked some orange lichen sticks from the elm trees along our creek and hung them from the ceiling, along with some feathers from our chooks. On the floor were autumn leaves that had fallen from our Manchurian pear tree.
The window display was a real hit and someone asked me whether I was going to open a shop. I’d never been a shopkeeper before, but then I thought, “Why not give it a go?” I named the shop Will & Russ after my little poodle who ran away. His name was Willy and I always called him Russy.

You love to make things from what you have foraged at Lilstan. Why did you start doing that?
Things were tough financially and I couldn’t afford to buy new plants or things for the house, so I would make things from sticks I found, or bring in a big bunch of gum leaves to put in a vase, or stack some rocks to make a bird bath for the garden.

What are the best parts of running your own business? And what’s the hardest part?
I love connecting with people and making them feel welcome. And I love wrapping gifts. I wrap them in brown paper, tie a piece of string around it and then add a slice of dried orange, some gum leaves and a little feather.
The hard part is the inconsistency: some weeks you might make money and other weeks you might not make much at all.

When did you realise Will & Russ was going to be successful?
When I got through the pandemic. I thought if I could get through the pandemic and people are still coming to my little store, then it’s going to be okay.

It’s been an adventure for sure but I think it’s made me grow as a person and now I feel I can do anything I put my mind to.

Where do you see Will & Russ in five years?
I hope to keep the business small, so I can keep connecting with people and inspiring people to forage and be creative in their own homes.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business in the bush?
You need to be passionate about what you’re selling. People want an experience when they come into your shop and if you’re passionate about it that really shines through.

What do you think is the secret to your success?
I’ve created a really warm, caring space. I put on a fun playlist and people come in and have a little sing or a dance or they come in to have a cup of tea and a chat. Will & Russ has really become a little hub for the Gunning community and I love that.

Find Will & Russ on Instagram @will.and.russ

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