Blanket mum behind Leroy Mac Designs wrapped in awards

LEROY Mac Designs’ Rebecca McErvale is a finalist in four 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards categories.

Nominated for people’s choice accolades in the customer service and product categories, she’s also up for a regional business gong and business excellence honour.

Mrs McErvale is “beyond excited” to have made the finals, part of the AusMumpreneur process for the first time.

“I’ve wanted to apply for a long time but never had the courage to do so. This year, I just thought I’d bite the bullet and give it a try,” she said

“It feels quite surreal, because COVID has destroyed so many small businesses and a lot of people have lost jobs.

“I’m very lucky and so honoured that I have been able to continue business, work online and work from home.”

Mrs McErvale and her husband, Rodney, were told they wouldn’t be able to achieve the things they have in enterprise.

Sending greasy fleeces grown on their Lexton farm to Italy for processing, Leroy Mac Designs are the only Australian producers making machine-knitted, machine-washable children’s blankets from the wool off the back of their own sheep.

She said persistence is key for anyone starting their own business, especially mothers.

“Don’t give up, just persevere, and don’t let people tell you that you can’t do something.

“It’s so rewarding to have achieved what we have. It’s our farm, our sheep, our wool and our story,” Mrs McErvale said.

“We’ve got the farm, I can do it from home, the kids can help and be part of everything, and I can be present in their lives.”

She’s proud to be an AusMumpreneur Awards contender amongst so many “talented ladies,” and encourages readers to visit surveymonkey.com/r/AUSMUMVIC to vote in the people’s choice categories.

Winners will be announced during a virtual presentation event next month.