Locals drive success for business

LISA and Rob Deeble are always looking for new opportunities. The couple behind Summit Outfitters, they provide outdoor supplies and canvas solutions for their customers and the community. “We’re a one-stop-shop,” Lisa said. Lisa and Rob have been running the business for almost two years, expanding the offerings at the store while building on the existing business (formerly Snowy Mountain Rug Company). “The business has been running for 40 years next year,” Lisa said. “We've recently extended and incorporated Shimano and offer a lot of fishing products. “We offer as much as we can to the outdoors adventurer.” The store is not just about swimming, fishing and camping; it caters for a wide variety of needs by locals. “We have ammunition so there’s the ability for farmers and locals to be able to get what they need here too,” Lisa said. Aside from its impressive retail offerings, Summit Outfitters is one of the few businesses that offer canvas products made in-house. “We produce a lot of canvas products for farmers, local government agencies and primary schools and high schools,” Lisa said. “We are not just a retail store; our prize is our canvas.” Manufacturing locally is a point of difference for Lisa and Rob. “There are quite a few canvas manufacturers around but a lot of that stuff gets manufactured over in China,” he said. “We’re one of the only shops that will still do custom work.” The ability to do custom work has attracted interest from all around the country and the world. “We recently did our job for the Northern Territory mounted police,” Rob said. “We've been sending our swags to Canada too. “The legacy of this business is the products that we make will last 30 plus years,” he said. “That's what brings people back and that is our primary objective; to make something for our customers that is going to last. “I'm not interested in throwaway society; we're interested in producing something that people are going to use like the old school stuff.” Lisa and Rob’s relationship with the community has been reciprocal, as their support for Mansfield’s interests has made way to a community of local shoppers. “We enjoy listening to our customers when they come in,” said Rob. “In this style of retail, when someone walks in the door, they're generally going to buy something and do something because then going off to make a memory. “People want to tell that story. “For us, this is an extension of what we love to do; we love to hear people's stories,” he said. “It brings people back because you’ve spent a bit of time and show that you're interested in them. “Looking after our customers, listening to our customers, having the products in the store that people want –that’s what brings success.” “We listen to the local customers and provide what they don’t want to have to go out of town for,” Lisa added. “There is a lot of incentive to come in and order what you need. “We put 100 per cent behind each part of the business and behind the scenes and into our customers.” The shop local campaign runs through to Monday, December 18 and can be entered by spending over $25 at a participating retailer.

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