What’s unique about your business? Great Northern Poultry is a locally owned and operated business producing silkie chickens, produced predominantly for their black skin, as this is the desirable trait for consumption by the domestic Asian market. We only supply Sydney but have plans to expand. Not all birds are consumed; we have a large proportion of our female birds going to pet shops in Sydney, Maitland and Brisbane. 

Why did you get into this line of work? I had a small egg business growing up, as well as a few show birds, and so I have always had a passion for poultry. When the opportunity was presented to me by my now business partner Angus Shepherd, I couldn't wait to take it on. 

Most and least satisfying about it? The most satisfying thing about the job is receiving feedback from consumers about how happy they were with our product. The least satisfying is having to constantly clean, to maintain a high biosecurity standard and good growing environment for the birds.

The biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in your industry? Our current challenge is breeding and growing a bird that wasn't meant for commercial production, but we are beginning to get the hang of that, so into the future I see our biggest challenge and biggest opportunity as the same: getting the Caucasian population to take an interest in the product and consume it. 

What makes you most proud? I think the thing I'm most proud of is the same as any farmer and that is despite facing a few challenges, at the end of the day still producing a quality product that you know has had the best treatment possible. 

Who do you most admire? There are a few people who come to mind when I try to answer this question, but I will keep it a bit more general. I admire anyone who gets up every day and has a go at life; has some drive, ambition and works hard, not making excuses for what life has dealt them or looking for a handout, but rather taking what life has given them, adapting and doing the best they can with it.

Your favourite time of the day? The morning, no question, when I wake up and things are peaceful, calm and I can get some breakfast and watch the sunrise and know that I have the whole day ahead of me to achieve something.

Your favourite invention? Electricity, because without it I just would not be able to do the business I do.

In your spare time? I have a bit of a green thumb, so I like to grow a few veggies. I also enjoy a bit of sport, either rugby or touch.

The final word: I have plenty of thoughts about this country and the direction it is heading, but I think I might just finish up with a little motto that I have lived by because some people consider me at a height disadvantage: it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but rather the size of the fight in the dog.