Delighted at the news that their business was named as a finalist in the Telstra Victorian Business Awards are, front from left, owners of Jax Wax Geoff and Tina Copland. Back from left are staff members Wendy Boon and Deb McNabb. 21093
By Bridget Brady
A WAX business that began its slick rise to success in Dandenong is a finalist in a major Victorian business award.
Jax Wax, now based in Officer, was one of 24 businesses in five categories to be selected as a finalist in the Telstra Victorian Business Awards.
The business is owned by Tina and Geoff Copland, who manufacture custom blended wax for various wax industries throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and Europe.
They produce waxes for a variety of uses such as surfboards, wineries and beauty salons.
Mrs Copland said she was delighted the business was named as a finalist in the micro business award category.
“I didn’t expect to hear anything at all when we first entered because we are so little,” Mrs Copland said.
“There were hundreds of entries, so we are all very excited.”
Mr and Mrs Copland work full-time at the business with four part-time staff.
They are not open to the public because they sell their wax through distributors.
Mrs Copland said she and her husband had worked at wax companies in Victoria and America before deciding to live and start their own business in Officer in October 2000.
She said the beauty industry was the business’s main customer.
“We started on a shoestring and it was difficult, and sometimes you ask yourself, ‘Is this really worthwhile?’
“But you persevere and it works.”
Winners of the Telstra Victorian Business Awards are announced on 19 September.
Jax Wax was a finalist in the 2007 Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Premier Business Awards in March.
