From an early age I was fascinated with having a business. I can remember trying to talk Pop into buying a newsagency in Beaufort Street.

My first foray into business was the purchase of 20 acres at Chidlow for the princely sum of 600 pounds ($1,200). I sold it about 18 months later for $2,400.

Our first business was Cambridge House in Leederville in what was at the time an empty shop. We learnt the second hand trade and gained knowledge in what worked and what didn’t while mum was pregnant with Kristine with Grandma and Nana both helping out. We closed the shop when the owner wanted to redevelop the property. Financially the business was a success.

Morley cards and toys was not a financial success – what it did do was provide toys for the four kids! It taught us that even with the best intent and hard work the success must be completely under the owners financial control. This is never the case when running a business in a modern shopping centre.