When you’re 20 years old nothing seems impossible and Noosa Van Lines owner Daryle Cook knows just that.
The 50-year-old, who last weekend celebrated the 30th anniversary since establishing the removalist company on the Sunshine Coast, says she is glad she took risks when opportunities arose.
Together with her friends Helen and Tony Turner, the trio saw the need for moving homes and in 1981 got the company of one truck up and running.
By Ruza Zivkusic | September 23, 2011
When you’re 20 years old nothing seems impossible and Noosa Van Lines owner Daryle Cook knows just that.
The 50-year-old, who last weekend celebrated the 30th anniversary since establishing the removalist company on the Sunshine Coast, says she is glad she took risks when opportunities arose.
Together with friends Helen and Tony Turner, the trio saw the need for moving homes and in 1981 got the company of one truck up and running.
But the acquisition of another Brisbane furniture removalist company, Brimac, in 1990 saw business take off, with an interstate contract brought along.
Noosa Van Lines, which built its current operating space in 1985 in Rene Street, now has 12 trucks and 17 staff working 24-7.
It also has a depot in Melbourne.
It moves more than 1700 families a year between Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns.
The Turners are not involved in the business as much, Cook says.
Previously an accountant, it is her skills that came in handy when starting the company, she adds.
“We have an effective partnership but I report and manage the company and there’s a lot of trust and honesty between us,” Cook says.
She describes the early years within the business as “testing”, saying her accountant practices were always put to test.
“I still have a lot of fun doing what I do.”
But her customers value the company and Cook’s business practices, with more than 50 percent of them being repeat clients.
The company’s motto is “a moving experience”.
“We try and offer to our customers faith; moving a house is sometimes not a favourable circumstance so we help them and many customers keep coming back to us,” she adds.
The company has last month won the 2011 Australian Furniture Removals Association (AFRA) Fleet of the Year award.
Cook hopes to further grow the company and continue servicing the states and developing networks with other furniture companies, she says.
“My staff has got me to where I’m at,” she adds.
“Between all of us, we have 205 years of experience with Noosa Van Lines.”
Three of her staff members have already reached the long service leave.