About Us

A Small Beginning Can Lead to Big Things

In 1997, Christine, my friend of 20 years, out of necessity was encouraged to start a certificate course in IT. As often happens with long standing friends, she was not happy to attend alone but wanted 'us' to do the course together.

Two weeks after the course had started, due to a high number of people dropping out, Christine talked the teacher into allowing me into the course. The class was full of young people, my own children's ages, I had never been near a computer and did not even know what a mouse was!

As one of the last assignments of the course we had to set up a dummy website and as they say, " ... the rest is history".

In 1998, AussieSkinsDirect.com was uploaded, from my home office, and we immediately made our first internet sale, we were so amazed that we raced out got a bottle of champagne and celebrated. This is when we realized we didn't really know anything about sending packages overseas, we learned very quickly, on the kitchen table, how to wrap and pack.

That was the end of the champagne life, more sales, neither of us could believe it, probably due to the many cynics & critics we had managed to attract as two mature ladies, but we were too busy to worry about them!

Today our small hobby has grown into Sheepskin Express Australia Group. Our company's success has made us do things that we never dreamed possible.

Company Profile

AussieSkinsDirect.com web site success generated, Sheepskin Express Australia Pty Ltd, the company we have today. It has grown to become the supplier for both government and private Hospital & Nursing Home facilities in Australia.

The company continues to build a strong export bases. 2004 nominated as a Queensland company for an Emerging Export Award. Last year, it was a challenge but we opened our first overseas office in China.

In the Australian market, direct marketing has been an important focus for the company with a New Direct Selling System in place, trials will soon start in our first overseas country.

Sheepskin Express Australia have also built a manufacturing arm to our business, not only in hand made teddy bears, but in Custom Car Seat Covers for some of the worlds finest luxury cars.

Cosimo's Story

When I left school to begin a working life 37 years ago I had no idea of salesmanship, business directions or marketing. All I was interested in was getting a job I liked, earn some money and enjoy life along the way.

I've maintained an enjoyment of the work I have chosen to do over that period of time, even after I joined the company 3 years ago.

I started as the export manager for the company have taken me around the globe, some of the countries we have taken Woolprotec & Rugged Australia products are England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Canada, US and of course China. Woolprotec & Rugged Australia products are gaining global acceptance, the company will continue to push this momentum to the full.

Not the easiest of tasks I've undertaken, somewhat challenging in a lot of ways, but definitely not boring. When it finally all gets too much, I just go for a surf to unwind.

Really, for me, just the beginning of another story….

Christine's Story

I think I should tell you why I am the financial controller of the company, I believe I am the only one who follows a logical plan. I am not sure looking after the finance is an easy thing but happily we now have accountants that do all the hard work but I love to see a budget come together, if I can keep Mary-Anne and her big ideas out of the way.

Mary-Anne has made us each write our own story, for this page, to be truthful I am at the time in my life, where I would like to slow down a little, take some time out to, 'smell the roses' and dabble a little more with my share portfolio. I am a grandmother too, I have five grandchildren and one on the way.

We live in one of the most beautiful places in Australia, the Gold Coast, Queensland. Every morning, I go to my favourite beach, Rainbow Bay have my walk and take a swim.

Mary-Anne's Story

Firstly, I always wonder where time flies too, there just never seems to be enough time in my day. As soon, as I get into the office I just love to download all my emails. Life is learning and I have been able to learn so much via email questions, though some are pretty crazy, some days, it feels like I never leave the computer.

Our three children have given us, eight of the cutest grandchildren, the oldest is just six years old. I would love to spend more family time with them, school year has just started in Australia and Aaron and Tyra have started this year. As a daughter, my parents, are in their 70's, and I need to spend more time with them.

Unbelievably, with no formal business degrees or qualifications, some of my business highlights: Won "Women in Business" for Queensland 2001, Spoken in Parliament House, Invited to Shanghai to speak with medical providers focusing on preventative care issues affecting aging populations. I have also received many invitations to speak at business forums to encourage small to medium business to take the plunge and have a go!

Sadly, I cannot to keep up with the speed of business travel, but I look forward to the time when I can indulge myself travelling again, at my slow wandering pace. I am very lucky, my parents instilled in me, enough curiosity to find out how things work and to want to meet other people and see how they live.