Employee of the Year 'spreading the magic'

The Store of Requirement General Manager Hannah Worthy says her Employee of the Year award win at the 2023 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards on July 7 means she can continue to ‘spread the magic’.

See the full list of winners here.

“I’m very excited, very proud,” Hannah says.

“It just means I get to keep spreading the magic. That’s what my shop is all about and that’s what I get to keep doing.”

The Harry Potter-inspired retail store in Samford Valley was established in 2017 and has a team of 12 employees.

Hannah has been with the business for more than four years, showing courage and leadership qualities that bring customers ‘the magic they desire’, according to the award submission.

She runs the online store and warehouse along with the physical shop, which is a drawcard to the Moreton Bay Region.

In her role as General Manager, Hannah takes care of her staff, while ensuring customers receive the best possible service.

“Hannah has built relations with all our suppliers. The relationships she has built with the suppliers has meant we can negotiate better deals, better freight charges and (have) built a bigger network for us to shop from,” the submission says.

“This has meant that we can provide more options to our customers and gives us a bigger budget to work with.”

She has also reshaped the way packages are sent to customers.

“Hannah's initiative of making the packages more ‘magical’ have provided our customers with a wonderful experience that they have welcomed and enjoy,” the submission says.

“The small gesture of gift wrapping and adding a thank you card into the package has increased sales, increased customer satisfaction and encourages people to reorder.”

Hannah says relationships are important to the business.

“Not only with my staff, but customers who come around as well and also with suppliers and people like the team at Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) and Moreton Bay Regional Council,” she says.

Her advice to new businesses is simple.

“Keep trying, keep striving and don’t give up,” she says.

For more information, visit the website thestoreofrequirement.com.au